'83 Tele - what's a good price?

tpaul · June 30th, 2006, 03:12 AM

I saw a 1983 USA tele today in a shop. It was definitely used - the input jack was replaced and it had some finish cracking near the jack that made me suspect someone had dropped it. I also suspect the switch wasn't original. No idea about the pickups, pots etc. However, it was very light and the rosewood board neck was easy to play. The bridge was the modern heavy flat plate with the rectangular saddles - when did they start that? - so I'd probably want to make a few changes. But like I said, it was a nice little guitar and felt good in the hand.

What didn't feel good was the asking price: $950 with HSC. Does this seem a bit high for an '80s tele? I didn't even try to bargain because I figured even if I got them down to $700, I'd still be uncomfortable with the price. I guess it is 23 years old, but still, it's not like the early '80s MIA stuff has that great a reputation. And the condition wasn't anywhere near pristine.

Anyone have any thoughts about what a decent price for this would be?

Thanks,
T

Pete Galati · June 30th, 2006, 05:15 AM

Seems like $950 with HSC is probably a lot more than that Tele would have cost new.

I'd on that one pass personally.

jdimitri · June 30th, 2006, 05:21 AM

rectangular saddles-no... they started that in 85 in think
i think around 800 is a good price for one in good condition (no major dents, etc)
but i'm only saying this cuz i love mine (that neck p/u is a KILLER!)

JamonHamon · June 30th, 2006, 07:04 AM

I have an 83 Tele!!!... because its a top loader you can take off the bridge and put a vintage bridge and saddles on it!!!...the 83 was the first year that the Tele was an american standard but with elite saddles or you can put a american standard bridge on it, just make sure you get a top loader bridge!!!...Dale

stephent2 · June 30th, 2006, 09:41 AM

if it's light it's an unusual '83 model, most were pretty heavy. I love the necks on those things still the price seems a bit stiff. I'd be happy at $700 myself.

tpaul · June 30th, 2006, 10:49 AM

Sounds like some of you value the guitar more highly than I do. I didn't realize the '80s teles had appreciated so much. Maybe it's because it's a USA model, and I base my price estimates on the Japanese esquire reissue I bought a few years ago... for about half the asking price of this '83.

I didn't notice it was a top loader - didn't think to check. Were they all top loaders that year?

mellecaster · June 30th, 2006, 11:11 AM

Some of the quirks of the 83 were as mentioned..the top-loading bridge w/ the rather odd Elite saddles (sounds like someone changed the one you're looking at)...and a Much flatter 12" fingerboard radius....and a bit wider spacing @ the nut.

jwells393 · June 30th, 2006, 11:16 AM

I'm assuming this is a Standard Telecaster (not to be confused with the MIM Standard). Believe it or not, both the Blue book and the Vintage Guitar Price Guide give values in the range of $600 to $1500. Seems high to me. You could buy or build a really nice guitar for that kind of money.

scudgebucket · June 30th, 2006, 12:27 PM

Tpaul,

I also have an '83 American Std Tele. The prices I've seen on eBay have been in the $850 to $1100 range. I paid $230 for mine new. So they have appreciated a bit., and the Guitar Vintage Guide price range would seem to be correct.

Many seek them out because of the topload-ability. However, the Am Std were not great quality in terms of build. I found the pickups to be weak, the switch was so flimsy it had to be replaced, and the ends of the frets were not smoothed on the neck. Mine is on the heavy side, too.

I hope this helps your evaluation...

sirtwang · June 30th, 2006, 12:53 PM

I really like my '83'...I prefer string-thru, but the top-loader is ok. I have a string-thru with a tighter radius fretboard, so the '83' offers a little different feel. The maple neck with the flat radius is probably my favorite part of the guitar. The finish work on the frets on mine is quite good. The bridge pickup wasn't weak at all, but it was pretty microphonic. It has a Duncan Lil "59" in it right now.

cbnutt · June 30th, 2006, 03:54 PM

a bit off topic, but i have a 83 strat i bought new only one tone control, also a heavy guitar, top loader.

June 30th, 2006, 03:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
tpaul Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingston, NY Posts: 736	'83 Tele - what's a good price? I saw a 1983 USA tele today in a shop. It was definitely used - the input jack was replaced and it had some finish cracking near the jack that made me suspect someone had dropped it. I also suspect the switch wasn't original. No idea about the pickups, pots etc. However, it was very light and the rosewood board neck was easy to play. The bridge was the modern heavy flat plate with the rectangular saddles - when did they start that? - so I'd probably want to make a few changes. But like I said, it was a nice little guitar and felt good in the hand. What didn't feel good was the asking price: $950 with HSC. Does this seem a bit high for an '80s tele? I didn't even try to bargain because I figured even if I got them down to $700, I'd still be uncomfortable with the price. I guess it is 23 years old, but still, it's not like the early '80s MIA stuff has that great a reputation. And the condition wasn't anywhere near pristine. Anyone have any thoughts about what a decent price for this would be? Thanks, T

June 30th, 2006, 05:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
jdimitri Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia! Posts: 232 4 Photos	rectangular saddles-no... they started that in 85 in think i think around 800 is a good price for one in good condition (no major dents, etc) but i'm only saying this cuz i love mine (that neck p/u is a KILLER!) __________________ What do I want people to get from the music? Whatever they want. [pauses then looks to the camera] Whatever you like - Jeff Buckley

June 30th, 2006, 09:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,458 20 Photos	if it's light it's an unusual '83 model, most were pretty heavy. I love the necks on those things still the price seems a bit stiff. I'd be happy at $700 myself. __________________ ".. Pine cones go in here (points to still), party liquors comes out here and proceed to here (mouth). Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated". -- Earlie Cuyler, Squidbillies

June 30th, 2006, 11:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,694 17 Photos	Some of the quirks of the 83 were as mentioned..the top-loading bridge w/ the rather odd Elite saddles (sounds like someone changed the one you're looking at)...and a Much flatter 12" fingerboard radius....and a bit wider spacing @ the nut. __________________ Let's Not Forget the Other 75% of The Tone Equation...It's Called an AMP

June 30th, 2006, 11:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,210 101 Photos	I'm assuming this is a Standard Telecaster (not to be confused with the MIM Standard). Believe it or not, both the Blue book and the Vintage Guitar Price Guide give values in the range of $600 to $1500. Seems high to me. You could buy or build a really nice guitar for that kind of money. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 30th, 2006, 05:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pete Galati R.I.P. Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,104 2 Photos	Seems like $950 with HSC is probably a lot more than that Tele would have cost new. I'd on that one pass personally.

June 30th, 2006, 07:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,328	I have an 83 Tele!!!... because its a top loader you can take off the bridge and put a vintage bridge and saddles on it!!!...the 83 was the first year that the Tele was an american standard but with elite saddles or you can put a american standard bridge on it, just make sure you get a top loader bridge!!!...Dale

June 30th, 2006, 10:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
tpaul Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingston, NY Posts: 736	Sounds like some of you value the guitar more highly than I do. I didn't realize the '80s teles had appreciated so much. Maybe it's because it's a USA model, and I base my price estimates on the Japanese esquire reissue I bought a few years ago... for about half the asking price of this '83. I didn't notice it was a top loader - didn't think to check. Were they all top loaders that year?

June 30th, 2006, 12:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
scudgebucket Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cupertino, California Posts: 109	Tpaul, I also have an '83 American Std Tele. The prices I've seen on eBay have been in the $850 to $1100 range. I paid $230 for mine new. So they have appreciated a bit., and the Guitar Vintage Guide price range would seem to be correct. Many seek them out because of the topload-ability. However, the Am Std were not great quality in terms of build. I found the pickups to be weak, the switch was so flimsy it had to be replaced, and the ends of the frets were not smoothed on the neck. Mine is on the heavy side, too. I hope this helps your evaluation... __________________ ...there was a Never Ending Tour, but it ended in '91. The Money Never Runs Out Tour, Why Do You Look at Me So Strangely Tour, Principles of Action Tour, Outburst of Consciousness Tour, The One Sad Cry of Pity Tour, and others too many to mention.

June 30th, 2006, 12:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
sirtwang TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Age: 48 Posts: 87	I really like my '83'...I prefer string-thru, but the top-loader is ok. I have a string-thru with a tighter radius fretboard, so the '83' offers a little different feel. The maple neck with the flat radius is probably my favorite part of the guitar. The finish work on the frets on mine is quite good. The bridge pickup wasn't weak at all, but it was pretty microphonic. It has a Duncan Lil "59" in it right now. __________________ Jerry T

June 30th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
cbnutt Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: lebanon missouri Posts: 457	a bit off topic, but i have a 83 strat i bought new only one tone control, also a heavy guitar, top loader. __________________ shoot low sheriff, hes ridin a shetland..........