So i just got my new 52RI

Ivan · May 11th, 2006, 07:48 AM

Im over the moon!

one problem.... its locked in the case, and i cant see a key anywhere.
Ive never owned one of these tweed cases before, so i have no idea how they should open (is there meant to be key?).
Ive emailed the dealer, but thought that while im waiting ill make a post here, and hopefully later i can actually turn this in to a "i got a new 52RI and am playing it right now!" post.

Bones · May 11th, 2006, 07:54 AM

I'm sorry, but I'm laughing while I type this.

Yes there are keys, but the keys are needed to lock it, so it would be hard for the keys to be locked in the case. Did you check in all the packing materials for the keys? Also, the locks slide toward the outside of the case. Try sliding the locks with your thumbs they should just pop open if they are not actually locked. Otherwise you may need to find a hair pin and work on your lock picking skills.

Ivan · May 11th, 2006, 07:59 AM

damn... i look like a fool now!
it wasnt locked......

now how did i know the locks slide!

Bones · May 11th, 2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

damn... i look like a fool now!
it wasnt locked......

now how did i know the locks slide!

Have fun!

Scotland · May 11th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Now take the guitar out of the case to play it. :D

Ivan · May 11th, 2006, 08:51 AM

now, now, everyone makes mistakes.

Ive just been giving the guitar a test run, and im loving it!
now i just have to decide if i actually want to rewire it to modern....

Scotland · May 11th, 2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

now, now, everyone makes mistakes.

Ive just been giving the guitar a test run, and im loving it!
now i just have to decide if i actually want to rewire it to modern....

Only kidding Ivan

Yes, you really must do the modern wiring, you will then hear how it really should sound...that two pickup sound is classic !
Enjoy it all.

Ivan · May 11th, 2006, 11:56 AM

got another question.... are these guitars not meant to have a serial number on the headstock?
i know theres one on the bridge plate, but that doesnt tell you when its made.

Telemarkman · May 11th, 2006, 02:51 PM

Ivan wrote :

Quote:

got another question.... are these guitars not meant to have a serial number on the headstock?
i know theres one on the bridge plate, but that doesnt tell you when its made.

1)No, they're not !

2)Right, it doesn't !

I bought mine through Wildwood Guitars, and I just mailed them the serial number, and the next day they mailed me back, giving the date of birth - or at least month and year of production.

Bender · May 11th, 2006, 03:12 PM

You may want to try the trick where you just put the switch between the middle and bridge position. That will give you both the bridge & neck pickups. I thought about rewiring mine but I'm glad I didn't after reading about that little tip here. It's actually easier for me to switch between pickups this way than the modern setup.

Jean-Baptiste · May 11th, 2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

got another question.... are these guitars not meant to have a serial number on the headstock?
i know theres one on the bridge plate, but that doesnt tell you when its made.

Congrats, Ivan.. It doesn't get much better than a 52RI. Besides the modern wiring conversion, the ONLY thing I've changed on mine are the saddles. They used to come with a 'modern' six saddle bridge, but I didn't use that - I sent away for a set of 'compensated' saddles. That way, you've got all the advantage of the great tone you can only get from those 3 big chunks of brass, but they're slightly angled, so your guitar will sound more in tune as you play up the neck.

To get back to your question, another thing that should have been included is the COA (Certificate of Ownership) which looks like a diploma (I've got mine framed on the wall. Makes me look much smarter than I am!). There should be a date written above the serial number. Mine was born on May 10th, 1982, so it's just had its 24th birthday!

Ivan · May 11th, 2006, 05:07 PM

thanks for the posts everyone.

After a full day of playing non stop, i have to say i really happy to of bought it.
and i really like the sticky neck! though i must say im not used to it so the extra grip is making me make mistakes in playing.

I think ill leave the guitar as is for the next couple weeks (to "experience the moment"), then ill change the saddles and wiring.

....now that ive got a 52RI, im eyeing that 72 thinline!

TheBigKevDogg · May 11th, 2006, 07:10 PM

first time i got a guitar shipped to me in a vintage gase, i literally spent an hour convinced that it was locked in there (just had to slide the locks) trying to pry it open. so you're not the only one who made that mistake lol

eddiewagner · May 12th, 2006, 04:23 AM

he ivan,
welcome to the club of 52ri owners (so to say). i dig mine totally and even more since i have it wired the modern way. its the best guitar i ever owned and i will leave it bone-stock. i have anothe tele for experimenting. i like the idea of framing the certificate....

Telemarkman · May 12th, 2006, 09:13 AM

Ivan wrote :

Quote:

I think ill leave the guitar as is for the next couple weeks (to "experience the moment"), then ill change the saddles and wiring.

Congrats on your 52RI - great guitar ! :D

But unless you have a problem with the intonation, there
is no reason to change the saddles.

Mine is perfect with the stock saddles - according to my
electronic tuner !

Vol. Knob · May 12th, 2006, 10:50 AM

Heck yeah! I got my '52 RI just last November and have been loving it ever since. It's my 2nd tele, I've had a '69 Thinline RI for 10 years now.

Did you get yer '52 RI new or is it used? What are you plugging it into and what are you playing on it? What other guitars or teles do you have and how does it compare?

Post a pic!

Mine.....
1994 '69 Thinline RI and 1993 Butterscotch Blonde '52 RI

Ivan · May 12th, 2006, 12:19 PM

Vol. Knob
I got my 52RI new from ebay US to save money, and even though i knew about customs, i took a chance anyways because theres that possibility they wont tax me. However they did.... but even with customs its cheaper than buying a new one here in the UK, so thats ok.

my pictures arent too good, but heres my 52RI

i had a nashville tele for about 8 years but sold it for the 52RI. (which i now wish i didnt, it would of been nice to keep it anyway)

im playing guitar through a Marshall G80RCD, which isnt brilliant but more of a practice amp.
other guitars? i have/had a Squier Strat, Nashville Tele, ESP EC300 and a Les Paul Studio.
The 52RI is by far my favourite, and the one with the best workmanship (no faults at all).
I would say its the best sounding one, but my LP Studio is also nice, and they're both really different species so its hard to say which ones better.

oh and by the way, seeing your thinline makes me want one even more! (yea i know i only just bought the 52RI, but another tele cant hurt), except i want the 72 thinline.

May 11th, 2006, 07:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	So i just got my new 52RI Im over the moon! one problem.... its locked in the case, and i cant see a key anywhere. Ive never owned one of these tweed cases before, so i have no idea how they should open (is there meant to be key?). Ive emailed the dealer, but thought that while im waiting ill make a post here, and hopefully later i can actually turn this in to a "i got a new 52RI and am playing it right now!" post.

May 11th, 2006, 08:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,468 3 Photos	Now take the guitar out of the case to play it. :D __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

May 11th, 2006, 03:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bender Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 236	Before you re-wire..... You may want to try the trick where you just put the switch between the middle and bridge position. That will give you both the bridge & neck pickups. I thought about rewiring mine but I'm glad I didn't after reading about that little tip here. It's actually easier for me to switch between pickups this way than the modern setup. __________________ I'm rustin' in Tustin.

May 11th, 2006, 07:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
TheBigKevDogg Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA/USC Posts: 147 10 Photos	first time i got a guitar shipped to me in a vintage gase, i literally spent an hour convinced that it was locked in there (just had to slide the locks) trying to pry it open. so you're not the only one who made that mistake lol __________________ My Guitars (and Other Instruments) http://members.cox.net/thebigkevdogg/Guitars/Index.html

May 12th, 2006, 04:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 49 Posts: 3,967 27 Photos	he ivan, welcome to the club of 52ri owners (so to say). i dig mine totally and even more since i have it wired the modern way. its the best guitar i ever owned and i will leave it bone-stock. i have anothe tele for experimenting. i like the idea of framing the certificate.... __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

May 11th, 2006, 07:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bones Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,921 1 Photos	I'm sorry, but I'm laughing while I type this. Yes there are keys, but the keys are needed to lock it, so it would be hard for the keys to be locked in the case. Did you check in all the packing materials for the keys? Also, the locks slide toward the outside of the case. Try sliding the locks with your thumbs they should just pop open if they are not actually locked. Otherwise you may need to find a hair pin and work on your lock picking skills.

May 11th, 2006, 07:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	damn... i look like a fool now! it wasnt locked...... now how did i know the locks slide!

May 11th, 2006, 08:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	now, now, everyone makes mistakes. Ive just been giving the guitar a test run, and im loving it! now i just have to decide if i actually want to rewire it to modern....

May 11th, 2006, 11:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	got another question.... are these guitars not meant to have a serial number on the headstock? i know theres one on the bridge plate, but that doesnt tell you when its made.

May 11th, 2006, 05:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	thanks for the posts everyone. After a full day of playing non stop, i have to say i really happy to of bought it. and i really like the sticky neck! though i must say im not used to it so the extra grip is making me make mistakes in playing. I think ill leave the guitar as is for the next couple weeks (to "experience the moment"), then ill change the saddles and wiring. ....now that ive got a 52RI, im eyeing that 72 thinline!

May 12th, 2006, 10:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
Vol. Knob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 567 79 Photos	Heck yeah! I got my '52 RI just last November and have been loving it ever since. It's my 2nd tele, I've had a '69 Thinline RI for 10 years now. Did you get yer '52 RI new or is it used? What are you plugging it into and what are you playing on it? What other guitars or teles do you have and how does it compare? Post a pic! Mine..... 1994 '69 Thinline RI and 1993 Butterscotch Blonde '52 RI __________________ I have a few bands: 7 Mysteries Zerababyl Inflammatory Rhetoric

May 12th, 2006, 12:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ivan Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 381 2 Photos	Vol. Knob I got my 52RI new from ebay US to save money, and even though i knew about customs, i took a chance anyways because theres that possibility they wont tax me. However they did.... but even with customs its cheaper than buying a new one here in the UK, so thats ok. my pictures arent too good, but heres my 52RI i had a nashville tele for about 8 years but sold it for the 52RI. (which i now wish i didnt, it would of been nice to keep it anyway) im playing guitar through a Marshall G80RCD, which isnt brilliant but more of a practice amp. other guitars? i have/had a Squier Strat, Nashville Tele, ESP EC300 and a Les Paul Studio. The 52RI is by far my favourite, and the one with the best workmanship (no faults at all). I would say its the best sounding one, but my LP Studio is also nice, and they're both really different species so its hard to say which ones better. oh and by the way, seeing your thinline makes me want one even more! (yea i know i only just bought the 52RI, but another tele cant hurt), except i want the 72 thinline.