80's Japanese Tele opinions

lax24 · August 30th, 2003, 01:49 PM

A local guitar shop has an 80's Japanese Tele.
Asking $350. It does not have it's strings going through the body. It has been played quite a bit over the years as the neck and fret board have quite a bit of wear. Guitar plays like butter and is very resonant. Looking for opinions on these guitars and is the price fair? With strings not going through it's body, what effect will this have on true tele tone?
Thanks

Wally · August 30th, 2003, 02:06 PM

If the frets have much wear in them, that price might be a bit high. At that price, if a level and dress or refret is necessary, the final cost is going to be in the $450-550 range...a bit steep. Generally, these '80's MIJ Teles are good instruments, so if the neck has a good line and the frets aren't worn badly, that may not be a bad price. I sold one 8-9 years ago for $275, and the owner is asked to sell it every time he lets someone play it.

dean · August 30th, 2003, 03:55 PM

I agree that the $350 is a bit high - especially if some work is needed. On the other hand, this might be a good guitar for you to learn how to do a fret dress. The mid-80s MIJ Teles are among my favorite electrics because the workmanship is so good on them. The pickups are pretty good, although most TDPRIers change the pots, switch and caps.

If the top-loader bridge bothers you, just ask people on this board what they think about them vs through-body bridges. (JUST KIDDING! DON'T ASK! :D - that issue has been debated forever here, and there will never be a consensus.) I will say that on the MIJ toploader Tele that I had, I converted it to string-through, and the conversion was fairly easily done.

In the end, you'll have to decide. If it "plays like butter and is very resonant", it may be the one for you - most here would agree that those are two of the most important criteria for choosing a guitar. I guess I'd try to get the price down to $275-$300 if possible.

Have fun and welcome aboard!

Dean

Pedalworld · August 30th, 2003, 04:13 PM

these are terrible cheep copy guitars

DON'T BUY IT...

tell me who the seller is and the phone number and I'll convince them to drop the price. Honest I will.

LOL~~~~~~~~

The early squiers and 80's MIJ Teles are some of the best Fenders around in my book. If the frets are good get it!

Pedalworld · August 30th, 2003, 04:19 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2553886085

rusticman · August 30th, 2003, 05:44 PM

I just got this one. its a 50's reissue from 85. MIJ. one of teh best teles i have ever played. i also have a squire strat from 85 that was made in japan and its the only strat ive ever liked. if it plays good you should buy it. the quality of 80's japanes fender is very good.

Big Tony · August 30th, 2003, 06:57 PM

A friend of mine had one of those 80's MIJ toploaders (black w. maple board). It was a very nice Telecaster, great to play, and it sounded very good. If I remember right, it was fairly light.
I have a c. 85 MIJ Squire Telecaster that is a great instrument. Fine-sounding pups, nice hardware, American pots & switch, great neck, but rather heavy.
I have also had the pleasure of playing (many times over the years) two early 80's MIJ Squier Stratocasters that are truly great guitars. Both sunburst w. rosewood necks.
So, in my book, 1980's MIJ Fenders and Squiers are fine instruments.

Mark N · August 30th, 2003, 07:48 PM

I remember when I was first getting into teles. Actually it was the first time I was getting into guitars. Always played teles from the start, The guitar shop I would go to all the time had a few of those Squier teles . I shoulda bought one way back when and then tucked it under the bed, coulda made some money....lol. All jokes aside, they are nice guitars IMHO.

sneakyjapan · August 30th, 2003, 09:59 PM

love my 80`s Fender Japans. Some of mine came with full size pots and US switch. some strats have US made pick-ups as well. see if you can look at the electronics in the shop, if it has the cheap stuff offer the shop less money.

lax24 · August 30th, 2003, 11:19 PM

Thank you for the input. I am giving this guitar much more consideration based on your replies. The frets are not that warn and like I stated, it's a fine player. Thank you again for your advice. Let's hope no one got to it yet. Regards, Lax24

austintele · May 1st, 2004, 12:15 PM

hi, I own a early squier tele from 10/84. It has a vintage bridge with the strings though the body. Very nice guitar for the money(~350.00). blonde with maple neck. I believe the following year they changed to the top load funky bridge. Feels a lot like a late 60's tele.
I put klusons on, seymour duncan broadcasters in, and put a maple shim in the treble side of the neck pocket because of a sizable gap. Perfect "taking out of the house" giger guitar. Thanks later austintele

ye olde fretmonkey · May 1st, 2004, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusticman

I just got this one. its a 50's reissue from 85. MIJ. one of teh best teles i have ever played. i also have a squire strat from 85 that was made in japan and its the only strat ive ever liked. if it plays good you should buy it. the quality of 80's japanes fender is very good.

That's what my Strat is too. Not that I really play Strats, but I love the way this one plays and feels. Unfortunately I don't love the way it sounds, maybe once I get a lot of other things addressed I'll think about a set of pickups for it.

August 30th, 2003, 01:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
lax24 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2	80's Japanese Tele opinions A local guitar shop has an 80's Japanese Tele. Asking $350. It does not have it's strings going through the body. It has been played quite a bit over the years as the neck and fret board have quite a bit of wear. Guitar plays like butter and is very resonant. Looking for opinions on these guitars and is the price fair? With strings not going through it's body, what effect will this have on true tele tone? Thanks

August 30th, 2003, 03:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
dean Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 2,044	Hey! Welcome to the group! I agree that the $350 is a bit high - especially if some work is needed. On the other hand, this might be a good guitar for you to learn how to do a fret dress. The mid-80s MIJ Teles are among my favorite electrics because the workmanship is so good on them. The pickups are pretty good, although most TDPRIers change the pots, switch and caps. If the top-loader bridge bothers you, just ask people on this board what they think about them vs through-body bridges. (JUST KIDDING! DON'T ASK! :D - that issue has been debated forever here, and there will never be a consensus.) I will say that on the MIJ toploader Tele that I had, I converted it to string-through, and the conversion was fairly easily done. In the end, you'll have to decide. If it "plays like butter and is very resonant", it may be the one for you - most here would agree that those are two of the most important criteria for choosing a guitar. I guess I'd try to get the price down to $275-$300 if possible. Have fun and welcome aboard! Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

August 30th, 2003, 06:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Big Tony Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sweden, by golly! Posts: 2,528 29 Photos	1980's MIJ Fenders & Squiers A friend of mine had one of those 80's MIJ toploaders (black w. maple board). It was a very nice Telecaster, great to play, and it sounded very good. If I remember right, it was fairly light. I have a c. 85 MIJ Squire Telecaster that is a great instrument. Fine-sounding pups, nice hardware, American pots & switch, great neck, but rather heavy. I have also had the pleasure of playing (many times over the years) two early 80's MIJ Squier Stratocasters that are truly great guitars. Both sunburst w. rosewood necks. So, in my book, 1980's MIJ Fenders and Squiers are fine instruments.

August 30th, 2003, 09:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,554 3 Photos	love my 80`s Fender Japans. Some of mine came with full size pots and US switch. some strats have US made pick-ups as well. see if you can look at the electronics in the shop, if it has the cheap stuff offer the shop less money. __________________ quasi mojo

May 1st, 2004, 12:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
austintele Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2004 Location: austin, texas Posts: 1,551	telecaster squier hi, I own a early squier tele from 10/84. It has a vintage bridge with the strings though the body. Very nice guitar for the money(~350.00). blonde with maple neck. I believe the following year they changed to the top load funky bridge. Feels a lot like a late 60's tele. I put klusons on, seymour duncan broadcasters in, and put a maple shim in the treble side of the neck pocket because of a sizable gap. Perfect "taking out of the house" giger guitar. Thanks later austintele

August 30th, 2003, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,225	If the frets have much wear in them, that price might be a bit high. At that price, if a level and dress or refret is necessary, the final cost is going to be in the $450-550 range...a bit steep. Generally, these '80's MIJ Teles are good instruments, so if the neck has a good line and the frets aren't worn badly, that may not be a bad price. I sold one 8-9 years ago for $275, and the owner is asked to sell it every time he lets someone play it.

August 30th, 2003, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pedalworld Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 936	these are terrible cheep copy guitars DON'T BUY IT... tell me who the seller is and the phone number and I'll convince them to drop the price. Honest I will. LOL~~~~~~~~ The early squiers and 80's MIJ Teles are some of the best Fenders around in my book. If the frets are good get it!

August 30th, 2003, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pedalworld Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 936	http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2553886085

August 30th, 2003, 05:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
rusticman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NORWAY Age: 29 Posts: 404	I just got this one. its a 50's reissue from 85. MIJ. one of teh best teles i have ever played. i also have a squire strat from 85 that was made in japan and its the only strat ive ever liked. if it plays good you should buy it. the quality of 80's japanes fender is very good.

August 30th, 2003, 07:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mark N Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodstock, NB, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 629 8 Photos	I remember when I was first getting into teles. Actually it was the first time I was getting into guitars. Always played teles from the start, The guitar shop I would go to all the time had a few of those Squier teles . I shoulda bought one way back when and then tucked it under the bed, coulda made some money....lol. All jokes aside, they are nice guitars IMHO.

August 30th, 2003, 11:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
lax24 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2	Thank you for the input. I am giving this guitar much more consideration based on your replies. The frets are not that warn and like I stated, it's a fine player. Thank you again for your advice. Let's hope no one got to it yet. Regards, Lax24