Late 90s Custom Shop "1950 Telecaster" - What's the story?

slack · June 25th, 2006, 02:05 PM

Here is a Fender Custom Shop "1950 Telecaster" made in 1998.
Link.

The COA is signed by John Page. This particular guitar has been well played and was refretted by the Custom Shop.

Of course, there was no Telecaster model in 1950, so its inaccurately named. But, does anyone have knowledge or experience with this model? What's the story?

Masterbuilt · June 25th, 2006, 03:51 PM

I had one of these.They were a stock catalog(1996 edition) model called the 50's Telecaster.Pretty standard guitar with C-shape neck and a 9.5" radius maple board.The only unusual point for a Fender CS guitar was that they had a five digit number stamped on the bridgeplate often in the 20k range.Necks were often flamed or birdseye.Nice guitars.A few about here in the UK for £1500+

slack · June 26th, 2006, 03:50 PM

Ash body? Nitro lacquer? What pickups? Thanks.

Btw, in the pics the neck appears U shaped to me.

Mike Rice · June 26th, 2006, 11:41 PM

My first reaction was also that it was a "50s Telecaster", a Custom Shop "Price List" guitar for several years in the 90s. It wasn't intended to emulate any specific year, but rather be representative of a nice 50s Tele. I've played about 3 and loved them all. Those I've played did all have a fairly chunky U shape, much like my early Jerry Donahue Tele.

Two things I notice about this particular guitar though; it has brass saddles while the CS 50s Tele came with smooth steel. It also has a flat pole bridge PU, something the CS did alot, but all the 50s Teles I played had staggered poles.

The pickups were, quite generically, called Custom Shop Tele pickups in the mid 90s CS literature I have. Finish would definitely be poly on a light ash body.

TDPRI · June 27th, 2006, 12:43 AM

"Team Built" Telecaster built by CS Team members rather than one person. Herbie G built many of the necks and they can be sweet. It's sort of a CS version of the MIJ (at the time) 50's Classic.

My silver sparkle Tele was a Team built model from 1993 and is sort of kin to these. But mine was a combo of 50's and 60's specs. My Tele came with Texas Special p'ups and I heard a rumor that many of these Team built models came with 'em. I have no idea if there is any truth to it.

The Team builts can be excellent guitars at an excellent price too.

Paul Green

csapo · June 27th, 2006, 01:01 AM

This one is listed for sale as a USA 1998 '52 Reissue model in a rare black finish. The seller is stating that Fender only offered this model in black for a little over a year and very few were produced. There are no pics of the serial number and the neck plate is blank. It comes with a Fender tweed case but no COA or other case candy. I'm not doubting the validity of this Telecaster, I just don't know anything about it.

Could this be a continuation of the '50's Custom Shop model? I don't mean to hijack the thread discussion, but perhaps anyone with knowledge as to its' value or other info about this model could be included? Thanks.

slack · June 27th, 2006, 01:09 AM

csapo,

I actualy have a late 90s 52 RI in black. They are identical to the regular 52RI with the exception of the black lacquer finish. The neck plates were blank and the serial was stamped on the bridge.

The guitar that I was inquiring about is another animal. The COA definitely says "1950 Telecaster". Not "1950s". I hope to inspect it in person.

I have seen one other recently, selling for around $1800 and dating from 1997 I think. It's CS COA also said "1950 Telecaster". It also had brass saddles and flat pole pieces. Its neck was flamey, whereas this one is birdseye. It was blond.

Mike Rice · June 27th, 2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webmaster

The Team builts can be excellent guitars at an excellent price too.

Paul Green

This is probably an understatement. The "Team Builts" (I picked up the term "Price List" guitars from Mark Duncan) from the 90s were incredible guitars built by a team of people who went onto some pretty lofty ventures. I've played "Masterbuilt" guitars that have been wonderfully appointed, but the Team Built guitars from the 90s lacked positively nothing in terms of tone or playability from the Materbuilts. Definitely some of my favorite Teles ever made.

Note; I keep saying 90s Team Built guitars only because I have MUCH more limited experience with those from this decade. The Time Machine guitars are probably about the only exposure I've had.

slack · June 27th, 2006, 01:37 AM

Here's the blond one I saw. Clear pic of the COA, too. The finish looks like lacquer in the pics.

Masterbuilt · June 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM

Its 100% a stock catalog guitar.The term teambuilt did not exist in 1998.They DID have brass saddles as standard.I found an old jpeg of mine.The neckplates were blank.They were an approximation of what the CS thought a 50's Tele should be/was.They weren't in any way made to be 'vintage correct'.They only made them from 1996 to 1998 when Eldred took over and the catalog line changed and the Time Machine series in NOS/CC were introduced.Nice guitar's.A well used one must only be worth $1200-$1400 though.Black was a standard stock colour also.

TDPRI · June 27th, 2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csapo

Could this be a continuation of the '50's Custom Shop model?

Black '52 Reissues aren't all that scarce. They didn't sell well is the only reason they are hard to find. For a few years they were available in Blonde, Black and Copper. Only the Blonde sold well.

There were many times when you could actually get the copper or black for cheaper because they weren't as desirable.

Some folks may say that makes them worth more, but I certainly don't see it.

Paul Green

Mike Rice · June 27th, 2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterbuilt

Its 100% a stock catalog guitar.The term teambuilt did not exist in 1998.They DID have brass saddles as standard.

Masterbuilt is 100% correct. I was going by memory only and that served me about as well as a screen door in a submarine. I checked some old catalogs and pics and I'll be darned, brass saddles.

JeffC · June 27th, 2006, 10:35 PM

I've got a 1995 - 1950 one in blonde - it has the old custom shop logo with
Alan Hamel's signature (did they call them masterbuilt back then). The serial number is 0707 and it has some interesting features. Like Masterbuilt indicated its a mish mash - flat pole piece bridge p/u, brass saddles, round string tee with a phillips screw.

One thing I never could figure out is the side markers at the twelfth fret - one is the standard black and one is black rimmed with silver.

Masterbuilt - if my memory serves me correct you also have a Hammel built one of these?

Jeff

Aen · June 28th, 2006, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webmaster

Black '52 Reissues aren't all that scarce. They didn't sell well is the only reason they are hard to find. For a few years they were available in Blonde, Black and Copper. Only the Blonde sold well.

There were many times when you could actually get the copper or black for cheaper because they weren't as desirable.

Some folks may say that makes them worth more, but I certainly don't see it.

Paul Green

Gah! Theres a black 52 RI in the Schmiddt music store her in Eau Claire, with *shudder* gold hardware.
Looks like a lounge singers guitar.

TDPRI · June 28th, 2006, 10:26 AM

They didn't come with gold hardware. Are you sure it's a '52 RI. If so, someone added that later.

slack · June 28th, 2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aen

Gah! Theres a black 52 RI in the Schmiddt music store her in Eau Claire, with *shudder* gold hardware.
Looks like a lounge singers guitar.

It's probably the recent FSR 017-0021-806 model. They are not 52RIs. One identifier is that the serial number is on the neck plate.

June 25th, 2006, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
slack Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,928	Late 90s Custom Shop "1950 Telecaster" - What's the story? Here is a Fender Custom Shop "1950 Telecaster" made in 1998. Link. The COA is signed by John Page. This particular guitar has been well played and was refretted by the Custom Shop. Of course, there was no Telecaster model in 1950, so its inaccurately named. But, does anyone have knowledge or experience with this model? What's the story?

June 25th, 2006, 03:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Masterbuilt Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London,UK Posts: 316	I had one of these.They were a stock catalog(1996 edition) model called the 50's Telecaster.Pretty standard guitar with C-shape neck and a 9.5" radius maple board.The only unusual point for a Fender CS guitar was that they had a five digit number stamped on the bridgeplate often in the 20k range.Necks were often flamed or birdseye.Nice guitars.A few about here in the UK for £1500+ __________________ Did Leo make another guitar?

June 26th, 2006, 11:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mike Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Age: 48 Posts: 2,230 3 Photos	My first reaction was also that it was a "50s Telecaster", a Custom Shop "Price List" guitar for several years in the 90s. It wasn't intended to emulate any specific year, but rather be representative of a nice 50s Tele. I've played about 3 and loved them all. Those I've played did all have a fairly chunky U shape, much like my early Jerry Donahue Tele. Two things I notice about this particular guitar though; it has brass saddles while the CS 50s Tele came with smooth steel. It also has a flat pole bridge PU, something the CS did alot, but all the 50s Teles I played had staggered poles. The pickups were, quite generically, called Custom Shop Tele pickups in the mid 90s CS literature I have. Finish would definitely be poly on a light ash body. __________________ 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

June 27th, 2006, 01:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
csapo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: City by the Bay Posts: 1,030	Non Custom Shop Model This one is listed for sale as a USA 1998 '52 Reissue model in a rare black finish. The seller is stating that Fender only offered this model in black for a little over a year and very few were produced. There are no pics of the serial number and the neck plate is blank. It comes with a Fender tweed case but no COA or other case candy. I'm not doubting the validity of this Telecaster, I just don't know anything about it. Could this be a continuation of the '50's Custom Shop model? I don't mean to hijack the thread discussion, but perhaps anyone with knowledge as to its' value or other info about this model could be included? Thanks. __________________ Gear List (pics included)

June 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
Masterbuilt Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London,UK Posts: 316	Its 100% a stock catalog guitar.The term teambuilt did not exist in 1998.They DID have brass saddles as standard.I found an old jpeg of mine.The neckplates were blank.They were an approximation of what the CS thought a 50's Tele should be/was.They weren't in any way made to be 'vintage correct'.They only made them from 1996 to 1998 when Eldred took over and the catalog line changed and the Time Machine series in NOS/CC were introduced.Nice guitar's.A well used one must only be worth $1200-$1400 though.Black was a standard stock colour also. __________________ Did Leo make another guitar?

June 26th, 2006, 03:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
slack Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,928	Ash body? Nitro lacquer? What pickups? Thanks. Btw, in the pics the neck appears U shaped to me.

June 27th, 2006, 12:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 5,562 36 Photos	"Team Built" Telecaster built by CS Team members rather than one person. Herbie G built many of the necks and they can be sweet. It's sort of a CS version of the MIJ (at the time) 50's Classic. My silver sparkle Tele was a Team built model from 1993 and is sort of kin to these. But mine was a combo of 50's and 60's specs. My Tele came with Texas Special p'ups and I heard a rumor that many of these Team built models came with 'em. I have no idea if there is any truth to it. The Team builts can be excellent guitars at an excellent price too. Paul Green

June 27th, 2006, 01:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
slack Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,928	csapo, I actualy have a late 90s 52 RI in black. They are identical to the regular 52RI with the exception of the black lacquer finish. The neck plates were blank and the serial was stamped on the bridge. The guitar that I was inquiring about is another animal. The COA definitely says "1950 Telecaster". Not "1950s". I hope to inspect it in person. I have seen one other recently, selling for around $1800 and dating from 1997 I think. It's CS COA also said "1950 Telecaster". It also had brass saddles and flat pole pieces. Its neck was flamey, whereas this one is birdseye. It was blond.

June 27th, 2006, 01:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
slack Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,928	Here's the blond one I saw. Clear pic of the COA, too. The finish looks like lacquer in the pics.

June 27th, 2006, 10:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
JeffC TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 24	I've got a 1995 - 1950 one in blonde - it has the old custom shop logo with Alan Hamel's signature (did they call them masterbuilt back then). The serial number is 0707 and it has some interesting features. Like Masterbuilt indicated its a mish mash - flat pole piece bridge p/u, brass saddles, round string tee with a phillips screw. One thing I never could figure out is the side markers at the twelfth fret - one is the standard black and one is black rimmed with silver. Masterbuilt - if my memory serves me correct you also have a Hammel built one of these? Jeff

June 28th, 2006, 10:26 AM	#15 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 5,562 36 Photos	They didn't come with gold hardware. Are you sure it's a '52 RI. If so, someone added that later.