Is this a special Musician's Friend '69 Thinline?

Mike Rice · March 20th, 2006, 02:28 PM

I found this picture on the Musician's Friend website in their listing for the Fender '69 Thinline Reissue Telecaster.

The only natural finish the Fender site speaks of is in mahogany and the MF site lists 1 natural selection, presumabley mahogany. Looks like ash to me though!

Fender made a handful of these back in '69 and I actually had the extreme pleasure of playing one at Lark St several years ago when they were still in Albany. Fernandes also makes an ash replica, but I'd love to see Fender come out with a Natural '69 Thinline in ash. Maybe that is what I'm seeing? Does anybody know anything about this model?

Iceman · March 20th, 2006, 02:39 PM

My understanding of this model is the natural is ash and the sb is mahogany.

Mike Rice · March 20th, 2006, 02:50 PM

No, I'm quite certain that the Natural model was always mahogany. I actually owned one and have played many others. According to both the Fender and MF sites, that's still the case. The black is also mahogany as is the 2-tone sunburst. 3-tone sunburst is ash, but that's the only guitar either site specs in ash.

Hey Tom S., what's the scoop with your Holiday M&M Thinlines?

I have Inertians Surf Green Thinline right now and that's ash, but were the Shell Pink, Lake Placid Blue, Sonic Blue, and CAR all ash as well? Thanks!

Les Pierce · March 20th, 2006, 03:08 PM

I played one for several years, back in the early '70s, that looked just like the one in picture, but with slightly less variation of the grain. Same exact color. I believe it was a '71, if I remember correctly.

Dave Yeats · March 20th, 2006, 03:27 PM

I've only seen the natural ri '72 thinlines in ash, and the natural ri '69 thinlines in mahogany. I've never seen the ri '69 in natural ash, either MIM or MIJ. For what it's worth, I've seen the sunburst ones in both mahogany and ash, and I think the solid color ones can be either wood, too.

Mike Rice · March 20th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Pierce

I played one for several years, back in the early '70s, that looked just like the one in picture, but with slightly less variation of the grain. Same exact color. I believe it was a '71, if I remember correctly.

That's what I mentioned, that the originals did show up in ash as well as mahogany. But this is the first picture I have EVER seen of a Fender '69 Thinline Reissue in Natural Ash.

The Sunburst is ash or mahogany based on whether it's 3-tone or 2-tone respectively.

Wish they had some text to support the picture. Maybe I'll just have to call Musician's Friend.

Tom S · March 20th, 2006, 03:42 PM

Hey Mike,

I can't speak for all the car color thinlines, but as you know the original Fender pre-production product spec sheet for these stated that they were to be made in mahogany. It sure seems the vast majority of them were made in ash, though, as nearly every one I've seen is ash.

However, of the five I have, the surf green is mahogany. It is also numerically the lowest serial number, if that means anything. It's possible Fender started out with mahogany and for whatever reason, switched to ash.

I've seen plenty of '72RIs in ash like the one you posted, but I'm not sure I've seen the '69RI in that wood with that finish.

Mike Rice · March 20th, 2006, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the input regarding the color series Tom. That's funny, cuz Inertian's Surf Green '69 Thinline is definitely ash. How many of your 5 colors are ash and how many mahogany? I know that no 2 guitars will ever sound the same, but given that other than the bodies these guitars would be identical do you notice any difference between the ash and mahogany models with regard to tone? Hate to put you on the spot with that one, but I really am curious.

Tom S · March 20th, 2006, 05:10 PM

Mike, they're all ash except the surf.

As for tonal differences, no problem putting me on the spot, but I can't answer. I've barely touched the guitars since I got them, other than to make sure they all worked properly for the most part. Well, I did play 'em a little. :) Also, the CAR currently has Nocasters in it, so that one can't count.

I'm in the middle of a redecorating project that encompasses the entire third floor of my house (where all the guitars are) so I have everything asunder at the moment, and I can't play anything. Sooner or later, the guitars and amps will have nice, bright new digs, but the longer I work at it, the longer it is taking...seems endless.

I'll do a comparison as soon as I can. I can say that the mahogany is darker...looking. :)

kp8 · March 21st, 2006, 12:50 AM

only the 3 color sunbursts are ash now and rest are supposed to be mahogany.

BUT Fender seemst to just go with whatever. The custom color ones were all advertised as mahogany.

I've had a couple of these including the Candy Apple Red and the Daphne Blue. The CAR one was mahogany, the blue one was not. It was ash.

original Fender advert and pics here:

http://homepage.mac.com/kp8/PhotoAlbum21.html

-kp8--

getbent · March 21st, 2006, 01:57 AM

Man, I had the choice of one of the originals or a custom (budget was the choice maker) and I chose the custom because the thinline had a nasty looking crack and I was afraid (I was 18 years old) it would be a hassle, but I always wanted one... I think there is a picture of Danny Kortchmar playing this model on the old Carole King Tapestry album (on the back) whoa... I'll have to go look... anyway, I loved the sound of the original (I'm sure the remake sounds just like it) sinewy!

Cindi 500 · March 21st, 2006, 04:08 AM

These days I've been wondering how fun it would be to get an ash '69 Thinny. Refinish in butterscotch, add blackguard and broadcaster bridge pickup, to do an econo-nocaster-thinline that's ready to take over the world. A bigsby B5 conversion would be nice too, partially just to keep the headstock from sinking! *^_^*

I'd be so cool with it lacking much authenticity(let alone have the wrong headstock label), being so neato getting close to the basic concept for a few thousand less. Besides, it was never supposed to exist, Custom Shop or not! Maybe someday we'll make it happen....

kp8 · March 21st, 2006, 05:12 AM

i also noted that MF's specs are often wildly wrong.

until recently they had regular HW 1 teles listed as vintage frets and vintage radius... etc. I told them a half dozen times... i see that they finally fixed some things ...

nevertheless they do get some nice exclusives from time to time... personally wish Fender wouldn't do that, but what can you do...

-k

ntasca · March 21st, 2006, 05:17 AM

I've always wanted a natural 72RI and this got me lookin - if you look at the Musicians Friend website and compare the 69RI and 72RI both in natural, the grain on both the guitars is freakily similar - like they were bookmatched pieces even!

Here's some links to the pics

Wery Rinterstings!!!!!!

yegbert · March 21st, 2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntasca

I've always wanted a natural 72RI and this got me lookin - if you look at the Musicians Friend website and compare the 69RI and 72RI both in natural, the grain on both the guitars is freakily similar - like they were bookmatched pieces even!

One image of the top grain was used and the photos edited to make both pics. The potential for photo editing like that is one reason I wouldn't put much stock in those pictures. And nothing in the text of their ads would lead me to believe they have a natural ash '69. Ask MF if they have one, to be sure.

Tom S · March 21st, 2006, 12:04 PM

No doubt those pics are computer generated, which is just cause to take any MF "photo" with a grain of salt. I wonder if MF is generating them, or if they are supplied by Fender's marketing dept.? I guess whoever did them was trying to avoid illustrating an overly perfect top, but to my eyes the grain matching is kind of awful.

TheBigKevDogg · March 21st, 2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntasca

I've always wanted a natural 72RI and this got me lookin - if you look at the Musicians Friend website and compare the 69RI and 72RI both in natural, the grain on both the guitars is freakily similar - like they were bookmatched pieces even!

Here's some links to the pics

Wery Rinterstings!!!!!!

wow! and look closely at the part that's covered by the guard of the 72, it's all blurred and definately computer generated! Looks like teh 72 is original and the 69 is faked.

March 20th, 2006, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,230 3 Photos	Is this a special Musician's Friend '69 Thinline? I found this picture on the Musician's Friend website in their listing for the Fender '69 Thinline Reissue Telecaster. The only natural finish the Fender site speaks of is in mahogany and the MF site lists 1 natural selection, presumabley mahogany. Looks like ash to me though! Fender made a handful of these back in '69 and I actually had the extreme pleasure of playing one at Lark St several years ago when they were still in Albany. Fernandes also makes an ash replica, but I'd love to see Fender come out with a Natural '69 Thinline in ash. Maybe that is what I'm seeing? Does anybody know anything about this model? __________________ Sure I like country music and I like mandolins, but right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10...John Hiatt

March 20th, 2006, 02:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,230 3 Photos	No, I'm quite certain that the Natural model was always mahogany. I actually owned one and have played many others. According to both the Fender and MF sites, that's still the case. The black is also mahogany as is the 2-tone sunburst. 3-tone sunburst is ash, but that's the only guitar either site specs in ash. Hey Tom S., what's the scoop with your Holiday M&M Thinlines? I have Inertians Surf Green Thinline right now and that's ash, but were the Shell Pink, Lake Placid Blue, Sonic Blue, and CAR all ash as well? Thanks! __________________ Sure I like country music and I like mandolins, but right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10...John Hiatt

March 20th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Les Pierce TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Central Texas Age: 55 Posts: 42	I played one for several years, back in the early '70s, that looked just like the one in picture, but with slightly less variation of the grain. Same exact color. I believe it was a '71, if I remember correctly. __________________ Les Tele, Strat, Dekley S-10

March 20th, 2006, 04:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,230 3 Photos	Thanks for the input regarding the color series Tom. That's funny, cuz Inertian's Surf Green '69 Thinline is definitely ash. How many of your 5 colors are ash and how many mahogany? I know that no 2 guitars will ever sound the same, but given that other than the bodies these guitars would be identical do you notice any difference between the ash and mahogany models with regard to tone? Hate to put you on the spot with that one, but I really am curious. __________________ Sure I like country music and I like mandolins, but right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to 10...John Hiatt

March 21st, 2006, 12:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
kp8 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 2,817	Re: Is this a special Musician's Friend '69 Thinline? only the 3 color sunbursts are ash now and rest are supposed to be mahogany. BUT Fender seemst to just go with whatever. The custom color ones were all advertised as mahogany. I've had a couple of these including the Candy Apple Red and the Daphne Blue. The CAR one was mahogany, the blue one was not. It was ash. original Fender advert and pics here: http://homepage.mac.com/kp8/PhotoAlbum21.html -kp8--

March 20th, 2006, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iceman Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 125	My understanding of this model is the natural is ash and the sb is mahogany.

March 20th, 2006, 03:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dave Yeats Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 767 50 Photos	I've only seen the natural ri '72 thinlines in ash, and the natural ri '69 thinlines in mahogany. I've never seen the ri '69 in natural ash, either MIM or MIJ. For what it's worth, I've seen the sunburst ones in both mahogany and ash, and I think the solid color ones can be either wood, too.

March 20th, 2006, 03:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	Hey Mike, I can't speak for all the car color thinlines, but as you know the original Fender pre-production product spec sheet for these stated that they were to be made in mahogany. It sure seems the vast majority of them were made in ash, though, as nearly every one I've seen is ash. However, of the five I have, the surf green is mahogany. It is also numerically the lowest serial number, if that means anything. It's possible Fender started out with mahogany and for whatever reason, switched to ash. I've seen plenty of '72RIs in ash like the one you posted, but I'm not sure I've seen the '69RI in that wood with that finish.

March 20th, 2006, 05:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	Mike, they're all ash except the surf. As for tonal differences, no problem putting me on the spot, but I can't answer. I've barely touched the guitars since I got them, other than to make sure they all worked properly for the most part. Well, I did play 'em a little. :) Also, the CAR currently has Nocasters in it, so that one can't count. I'm in the middle of a redecorating project that encompasses the entire third floor of my house (where all the guitars are) so I have everything asunder at the moment, and I can't play anything. Sooner or later, the guitars and amps will have nice, bright new digs, but the longer I work at it, the longer it is taking...seems endless. I'll do a comparison as soon as I can. I can say that the mahogany is darker...looking. :)

March 21st, 2006, 01:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,231 37 Photos	Man, I had the choice of one of the originals or a custom (budget was the choice maker) and I chose the custom because the thinline had a nasty looking crack and I was afraid (I was 18 years old) it would be a hassle, but I always wanted one... I think there is a picture of Danny Kortchmar playing this model on the old Carole King Tapestry album (on the back) whoa... I'll have to go look... anyway, I loved the sound of the original (I'm sure the remake sounds just like it) sinewy! __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

March 21st, 2006, 04:08 AM	#12 (permalink)
Cindi 500 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seoul Posts: 137	These days I've been wondering how fun it would be to get an ash '69 Thinny. Refinish in butterscotch, add blackguard and broadcaster bridge pickup, to do an econo-nocaster-thinline that's ready to take over the world. A bigsby B5 conversion would be nice too, partially just to keep the headstock from sinking! ^_^ I'd be so cool with it lacking much authenticity(let alone have the wrong headstock label), being so neato getting close to the basic concept for a few thousand less. Besides, it was never supposed to exist, Custom Shop or not! Maybe someday we'll make it happen....

March 21st, 2006, 05:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
kp8 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 2,817	i also noted that MF's specs are often wildly wrong. until recently they had regular HW 1 teles listed as vintage frets and vintage radius... etc. I told them a half dozen times... i see that they finally fixed some things ... nevertheless they do get some nice exclusives from time to time... personally wish Fender wouldn't do that, but what can you do... -k

March 21st, 2006, 05:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
ntasca Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 114	I've always wanted a natural 72RI and this got me lookin - if you look at the Musicians Friend website and compare the 69RI and 72RI both in natural, the grain on both the guitars is freakily similar - like they were bookmatched pieces even! Here's some links to the pics Wery Rinterstings!!!!!!

March 21st, 2006, 12:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tom S Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,211 49 Photos	No doubt those pics are computer generated, which is just cause to take any MF "photo" with a grain of salt. I wonder if MF is generating them, or if they are supplied by Fender's marketing dept.? I guess whoever did them was trying to avoid illustrating an overly perfect top, but to my eyes the grain matching is kind of awful.