The illusive D

[Aden]

Now i know this ones been looked at before, but there aint much old blackguard speak going down around here at the moment so come on fellas.

In fact wasnt someone supposed to be having lunch with George Fullerton a few months back to maybe ask this(Where did we get to)

Lets see if we can theorise and have another look at what and why some of these old fenders have that illusive little mark on them.



Ill start!

Could it be from a kind of clamp.

Could it be a way of identifying a guitar that hasnt been put through/been put through a manufacturing process.

Could it stand for "Done"/"Drill".

[jhundt]

didn't someone post a thing about neck-width stamps just recently? B was standard, A, C, and D were custom-order variations. Maybe that punch-stamp is an old version?

[Aden]

Yeah i guess there could be something in that.

[6t4]

I will take a guess.....Since people signed sub-assemblies it shouln't stand for a name so maybe it was a manufacturing technique to either sort or to identify....could it identify a plant process that was not discernible to the eye, like internal body routing/drilling...or maybe final body prep/sanding, grain filling compound....Maybe it matched the neck and body....Luthiers chime in....

Dado = To set in a groove/measured
Damaged/defect = as in rework
Datum = basis of measuring, determine neck shim or heel thickness?
Declivity = downward slope
Degum = remove wood saps
dehumidify = remove moisture
Desirable = Kind of like a PRS 10 top
Dwell -= remain in one process for time

[GuitarJonz]

The D is for Dummy ...thats me for not buying like 50 of those way back when :D

[Aden]

Dado = To set in a groove/measured
Damaged/defect = as in rework
Datum = basis of measuring, determine neck shim or heel thickness?
Declivity = downward slope
Degum = remove wood saps
dehumidify = remove moisture
Desirable = Kind of like a PRS 10 top
Dwell -= remain in one process for time

Now theres some food for thought, thanks man.

[Aden]

Could it mean Desirable...

Could it be something to do with grain quality, are these D's found on generally thinner more transparent finishes to emphasise grain??


Just another idea..

[0le FUZZY]

[*] Here issa post from Sept. 2003

I haff been lookin fer the answer fer over 12 years now.

After TELE-Fone chats with Jody Carver, Alan P. and many others and resulant chats by them and others with other folks at Fender the only thang that comes up as a pliable or feasible answer was that this rascal who worked for Leo on steels was busy early on still working on steels and then went tew workin on TELECASTERs a liddo later.

Cents Bill Hullett's Nov 1950 Nocaster had it on both neck and pocket and few if any of Nacho's Broadcasters had it the reason for it waz that Mister D dent dew it tew all and only did it fer a few years when he waz a doin it and that he waz still busy doin steel guitars in the early pre-50 years.

Jody Carver told me that Mister D did carry around a punch when he waz workin on the early steel guitars.

My cornclusion is that Mister D iss irresponsible for the "D" but my cornclusion is also based on feeling and not fact.

I am still open tew any other variations of this or any other reason givin by anyone who might care tew splain watt they think or mebby even know.

This like the Purple TELECASTER is still a mystery of sorts.

Here is the rascal I feel is the one who placed the "D" stamp on so many Fender products in the early years. Member------------it's jes MHO.

OH!! and no, I haff never ceen a nutter letter or number stamped li kat inna Broadcaster, TELECASTER, Esquire, steel or P-bass of that era (49 to 55)






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[Aden]

Thanks for that info, its appreciated.

I just remembered too my brother has it on his 52 Precision Bass.

[pikopiko]

[quote="0le FUZZY"][*] Here issa post from Sept. 2003


<li>This like the Purple TELECASTER is still a mystery of sorts.



[quote]

What mystery of a Purple Tele? I only ask because I saw a purple Tele in a pawnshop last year.

[0le FUZZY]

pikopiko;


The Purple TELECASTER I'm typin about (click) from my page.

Lotta chat and hard werk by many a few years back.




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[TDPRI]

Earlier today, someone posted a question about the neck markings on his new CS Tele. He posted a photo of the heal of that neck.

In the photo I saw that it had a "C" stamped indented on it just like the infamous "D" stamp.

Here's the photo link... its too large to post.
PHOTO LINK

Paul Green

[0le FUZZY]

WOW!!

Good eye there Paul.

We better try and git a holt of them rascals at the Kustom Shop and fine out why, hoo and how they dunn at.

Mebby won of them thar axeperts will noe sunthin bout the "D".

Purdy kool and purdy sharp jes like the olden days cept onna back instead of the butt er neck pocket.





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[Stumpy]

It looks to me like that "C" maybe part of the word relic stamped in the neck, you can make out the r e l i if you look at the sticker.

Still fun reading about the "D"!

[SteveS]

Are all RELIC's stamped as such? I must be looking at the wrong thing as the C in this case is the only uncovered part of the word RELIC- I have an idea you all already saw that

[TDPRI]

Originally Posted by Stumpy

It looks to me like that "C" maybe part of the word relic stamped in the neck, you can make out the r e l i if you look at the sticker.

Still fun reading about the "D"!

YIKES! You are correct Sir!!!!

In my best Emily Letrilla voice... "never mind."

Paul Green

[PraiseCaster]

Some of you might think I'm off my nut (well that is still up for debate), but I hope we never find out 100% what the "D" stamp stands for.

I'll wait for those who just spewed there screens with coffee to wipe em off.




"Why!?!", some may incredulously ask: I think its part of the mystique about those early Tele's. Kinda like a secret mojo about em. A little mystery.

That way, when we see one we go "Look! There's the D!" And its quickly followed with ooooh's and aghs, while grins abound.

One of the simplest guitars has been disected, analyzed, and copied, and improved (?) for 5+ decades. So I think it would be cool if she could keep one little mystery, a mystery.