Pricing a used MIJ 52 RI

[jbabco]

I'm thinking of picking up a used MIJ 52 RI locally: http://toronto.craigslist.org/msg/183921269.html

He's asking $875 obo. What's this guitar resonably worth?

This would be my first Tele and I'm not sure what the market is for these MIJ RIs. Also, how are these MIJ RIs regarded? Compared to American made ones?

Thanks.

e

[tpaul]

How used, and how old?

I got my MIJ Esquire reissue used for about $450, as I recall. That was in 2001 and the guitar was sort of beat up (bad relic job), and the pickups were aftermarket garbage (which I replaced with excellent Lawrence pickups for $80). It also had a Bigsby on it, which I removed. However, it was in good playing condition, has a killer neck and is one of the sweetest sounding guitars I've ever played.

If the one you're looking at is in good or excellent cosmetic condition, you'd probably be looking at paying considerably more than I did. If you want a collectible, that would be the way to go. Just understand that you might be able to get something cheaper if you want a player and don't care so much what it looks like.

Then again, I imagine the prices on these have gone up over the past five years, so maybe your seller is in the ballpark. I just don't think I'd pay that much. At least, I'd try to talk him down.

Good luck,

-T

[KC]

do a search for "ishibashi" and check out their current lineup of Fender Japan stuff. The top of the line '52 RI (TL52-80TX) can be had for $763 CAD / $671 USD brand new & shipped. Don't know what the duty would be in Canada, if any, but this makes the used one seem kind of expensive.

There are extrad models and maybe others, made for the Japanese domestic market, that are a cut above the TL52. Might be worth the extra money, if so. See if you can get pictures, etc, and ask the TDPRI brethren to help determine this. I'm out of my depth. Good luck.

[KC]

as to the quality of the Fender Japan product, they seem to be consistently very good. Only quibbles would be with cheesy pots and switches (they work fine, though) and maybe with the pickups. The TL52 come with US-made Texas Specials which are not to everybody's taste. But it's a high-quality guitar, comparable to high-end US models.

[Cobra8272]

Sounds expensive for MIJ.
Most 'E' and 'A' series go for about Aus$900 - $1100 in mint condition delivered to your door.(US$600 - $700) and thats here in Australia.
Quality wise they are right up there.
I have a 'G' series 52RI - its a great guitar!
good luck
Cobra

[Arlo]

I bought my MIJ on ebay for $500. I would shop around first. Check Guitargai on ebay he allways has some great MIJ stuff.

[csapo]

Originally Posted by Arlo

I bought my MIJ on ebay for $500. I would shop around first. Check Guitargai on ebay he allways has some great MIJ stuff.

Arlo is right. Ebay and Ishibashi are the best places to purchase, IMHO. They are also very good for referencing prices. One Ebay retailer though seems overpriced and that is Nitro Tone music. Once and a while they have some unique items but at a premium.

Ishibashi and Ebay have served me well over the years for MIJ/CIJ Telecasters

Guitar Stuff

[BLACKCAT69]

Another great source for MIJ/CIJ Fenders is this Ebay seller. They have an excellent ongoing selection and likely the cheapest shipping rates you will find from Japan.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...uzeyQ5fguitars

[jbabco]

Thanks for the info folks. According to the ad, the axe in in mint condition. Even if it were almost new, it looks like I could get one shipped form ishibashi for that price.

I see a few posts recommending perhaps another model (or another giutar of this model) would be better as a "player" guitar. I'm definately a player and not a collector, and I'm researching potential models both here and on harmony-central. I'm after a standard-setup Tele (i.e. two singles) and am not afraid to do some mods myself (wiring and bridge/PUP replacement if neccesary). According to all the reviews I've read, the 52 RI is almost universially regarded as a great guitar, with the quintessential Tele tone. I currently play both an Ibanez Musician and a Strat through a BF Twin.

I'll check out Guitargai and ishibashi. Thanks again.

e

[TDPRI]

Just be sure that this guy's "MIJ '52 Reissue" isn't a MIJ 50's Telecaster. Fender Japan, does have MIJ 52's but these have not been imported by Fender into North America.

Fender did import a MIJ 50's Telecaster like the current MIM '50's Classic's.

If it's not the Fender Japan TL52 model then it's worth MUCH less. Lots of guys buy the $500 MIJ 50's Tele and think they have the Fender Japan 52 Reissue.

Paul Green

[csapo]

Originally Posted by jbabco

Thanks for the info folks. According to the ad, the axe in in mint condition. Even if it were almost new, it looks like I could get one shipped form ishibashi for that price.

I see a few posts recommending perhaps another model (or another giutar of this model) would be better as a "player" guitar. I'm definately a player and not a collector, and I'm researching potential models both here and on harmony-central. I'm after a standard-setup Tele (i.e. two singles) and am not afraid to do some mods myself (wiring and bridge/PUP replacement if neccesary). According to all the reviews I've read, the 52 RI is almost universially regarded as a great guitar, with the quintessential Tele tone. I currently play both an Ibanez Musician and a Strat through a BF Twin.

I'll check out Guitargai and ishibashi. Thanks again.

e

Ishibashi's site is woefully incomplete. I usually check these first and then email the model number to Ishibashi. They've come through all 3 times.



Ikebe


Musicland

One more

Transam Guitars

[jbabco]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Just be sure that this guy's "MIJ '52 Reissue" isn't a MIJ 50's Telecaster. Fender Japan, does have MIJ 52's but these have not been imported by Fender into North America.

Fender did import a MIJ 50's Telecaster like the current MIM '50's Classic's.

If it's not the Fender Japan TL52 model then it's worth MUCH less. Lots of guys buy the $500 MIJ 50's Tele and think they have the Fender Japan 52 Reissue.

Paul Green

Thanks for the tip. It's hard to tell from the ad. According to the current Fender website, the 50's is White Blonde while the 52 is Butterscotch blonde. The guy's add just says "Blonde". He does mention a gig bag, which is included with the 50's but not the 52 (tweed case). So until I see it, it's kind of hard to tell if he's got the real deal or not, although he does specifically mention the ashtray bridge, which is not on the stock 50's model.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by jbabco

Thanks for the tip. It's hard to tell from the ad. According to the current Fender website, the 50's is White Blonde while the 52 is Butterscotch blonde. The guy's add just says "Blonde". He does mention a gig bag, which is included with the 50's but not the 52 (tweed case). So until I see it, it's kind of hard to tell if he's got the real deal or not, although he does specifically mention the ashtray bridge, which is not on the stock 50's model.

Jbabco your getting the USA models and MIM models confused with the made in Japan Teles which are completly different.

None of the MIJ Teles come with a case. They also use different woods sen instead of ash different colors different finish.

From re-reading the ad it seems like its a 50's collectable MIJ Tele probably not the TL52 model. More than likely if you cant see the grain its basswood not ash like the 52ri USA or 50's MIM model is or the TL52 made in japan which would be sen or ash.

[TDPRI]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Post a link to the ad or the item number and I or many others here can tell you what it is.

Mark, it's on Craigslist and he has a link in his first post.

The seller claims it a MIJ 52 Reissue, which is why I posted my warning. But yes, jbabco did confuse the MIM 50's for the older MIJ 50s in his last post.

jbabco you can't use the Fender website for this info. The not-for-export MIJ's are not on the Fender website... and neither are the old MIJ model 50's "classics."

Paul Green

[yegbert]

But here's one for $689 BIN.

[jwells393]

I just read the ad. Don't try to date it by that "A" serial number. Almost all Japanese Telecasters with a vintage style bridge have an "A" serial number on the bridge. Since it says "Made in Japan" it's pre-1997.

The one yegbert posted looks pretty good. Some of the Japanese 52 RIs have poorly matched grain.

[jbabco]

After an email exchange, apparently this is the MIJ 52 RI. Confirmed that his axe came with a gig-bag (no tweed cases for Japanese RI's), slightly different blonde than the US counterpart, and modern wiring. Also a v-shaped neck described as "chunky". I'll have to see how it feels in my hands.

FWIW the seller said you can see wood grain through the finish.

From his email:

It's an ashtray bridge. The body wood is ash, and the colour is blonde;
it's not quite the same butterscotch colour they use on the US versions,
but it is still consistent with how the original 1950s Teles looked. In
fact you can see the grain very nicely on my guitar. Here is a link on the
...Fender Japan website with a guitar that looks the same as mine (although
likely isn't exactly the same model):

http://www.ishibashi-music.com/fenderjp/tl5280tx.htm

... Another difference between this
guitar and the US version is the neck. Most US 52 RI's have a U-shape
neck, this one has a soft V-shape. It is also more chunky, especially in
the area around the nut. I've only played one tele with a chunkier neck,
and that was a $3500 custom shop Nocaster.

I haven't touched the wiring, but it came with the standard tele wiring.

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by BLACKCAT69

Another great source for MIJ/CIJ Fenders is this Ebay seller. They have an excellent ongoing selection and likely the cheapest shipping rates you will find from Japan.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...uzeyQ5fguitars

Yep, make that a +1 for Bluzey. Don at Bluzey has given absolutely fantastic service - I've bought a CIJ '69 Thinline RI, a '52 RI and my favourite Tele, my '62 Telecaster Custom, double bound and finished in CAR.

Great deals, low shipping (but extremely fast), and great guitars. Try him with confidence.

[Mark Davis]

All the MIJ/CIJ Teles have that same V neck. From his description it does sound like a TL52. You can get a new one for way less than he is asking for his used one.

This one in the link provided above is the exact same guitar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Telecaste...QQcmdZViewItem

This is about the same price as a new one. A new TL52-80tx should run $668 shipped to the USA. $548 if you didnt have to pay for shipping.

[jbabco]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

All the MIJ/CIJ Teles have that same V neck. From his description it does sound like a TL52. You can get a new one for way less than he is asking for his used one.

That seems to be the concensus. There are a few factors to consider:

• His price is Canadian dollars. Even at CAN$800 that's roughly US$700 at todays rates.
• No tax, duty, or shipping costs on a local used instrument. Even the one yegbert linked to would come to CAN$838 before duty (which could potentially be another $50-$75. Looks like ishibashi would be about CAN$765 shipped with gig-bag, but again duty not included.
• I would get to try before I buy with this one. Not possible with eBay or Japanese shippers (even though most folks seem to be more than pleased with Japanese suppliers).
• For a local sale, if purchased, I get to play it TODAY!

It's not a no-brainer by any means. I think I should at least try this local one. If it's near-mint condition, I'll probably do it.

[Mark Davis]

Canada changes everything didnt realize that.

I wish all countries woukd just use the same $$ system converting yen to USA then to CND its a nightmare.

[CSS]

Seems like this was a good buy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/52-R-I-Fender-Te...QQcmdZViewItem

[Dacious]

I just paid $US899 for an almost new unmarked US 52Ri from Mass. with tweed case, certificate and all case candy, strap lead etc. Due to North American Free Trade Agreement you should be paying no import tax or duties from the US anyhow. The same week another one went for $950. Of course it cost over $1000 with shipping to Australia, but came in at about $US500 less than a secondhand one here.

I think that's too much for a used CIJ esp. if you can't try it first, but if you like it, it's your money.