Early 90's 52RI vs Current Production

coyoteblue · December 15th, 2006, 11:55 AM

I'd like to know if anyone thinks there's much difference between Tele 52ri's made in the early 90's and those made today. Any comments would be appreciated.

AJ Love · December 15th, 2006, 12:04 PM

I'm not sure when the exact change was, but at some point the '52 RI's had skinnier necks... I believe that change happened in the late 90's

GuitarJonz · December 15th, 2006, 12:22 PM

Here is a pic of Bill Kirchen's well-worn 1988 52RI. The earlier 52 RI guitars are model# 1303, and generally had thinner necks. The earliest have the serial number (with dimple underneath) on the bridgeplate. Lots of folks like the earlier ones, and the first year 1982 models command big $, $1500 and up. many of the earlier ones have finishes that are now cracked and crazed, providing good visual mojo.

In 1998, they changed the 52RI to model# 0202, with a fatter neck, and redesigned A3 pickups that many feel are superior (dunno the specs on the older pups). I noticed a significant change to the tone of the newer neck pups, real nice.

AJ Love · December 15th, 2006, 12:40 PM

thanks GuitarJonz... yes indeed I like the fatter necks and redesigned pickups

microphonic squeal · December 15th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyoteblue

I'd like to know if anyone thinks there's much difference between Tele 52ri's made in the early 90's and those made today. Any comments would be appreciated.

I think the newer ones are better.

FrankB · December 15th, 2006, 04:34 PM

That has got to be a refinish. Everyone I have seen has a hugely thick finish on them.

JJ · December 15th, 2006, 06:42 PM

no refinish................my tele is a 86 & looks very similiar to Bill's, but not as drastic....the earlier ones age nicely.....if you play them alot

sidneystreet · December 16th, 2006, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankB

That has got to be a refinish. Everyone I have seen has a hugely thick finish on them.

I just played an early example, said to be a 1982. It looked very much like Bill Kirchen's '52 Reissue tele. The body finish was checked pretty heavily, and the neck showed a good deal of wear. It was a pretty cool guitar, but nothing special.

FrankB · December 16th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Hmm, wow everyone I see has a mega-thick hard finish. Glad to see them age naturally.

December 15th, 2006, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
coyoteblue TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 74	Early 90's 52RI vs Current Production I'd like to know if anyone thinks there's much difference between Tele 52ri's made in the early 90's and those made today. Any comments would be appreciated.

December 15th, 2006, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
FrankB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Havertown, PA. U.S.A. Posts: 742	That has got to be a refinish. Everyone I have seen has a hugely thick finish on them. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/frankbrigandi http://www.myspace.com/rotosonic If less is more, then I am going to give it my all, and do nothing.

December 16th, 2006, 12:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
FrankB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Havertown, PA. U.S.A. Posts: 742	Hmm, wow everyone I see has a mega-thick hard finish. Glad to see them age naturally. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/frankbrigandi http://www.myspace.com/rotosonic If less is more, then I am going to give it my all, and do nothing.

December 15th, 2006, 12:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
AJ Love Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI Age: 42 Posts: 864	I'm not sure when the exact change was, but at some point the '52 RI's had skinnier necks... I believe that change happened in the late 90's

December 15th, 2006, 12:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
GuitarJonz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Mass. Posts: 2,774 7 Photos	Here is a pic of Bill Kirchen's well-worn 1988 52RI. The earlier 52 RI guitars are model# 1303, and generally had thinner necks. The earliest have the serial number (with dimple underneath) on the bridgeplate. Lots of folks like the earlier ones, and the first year 1982 models command big $, $1500 and up. many of the earlier ones have finishes that are now cracked and crazed, providing good visual mojo. In 1998, they changed the 52RI to model# 0202, with a fatter neck, and redesigned A3 pickups that many feel are superior (dunno the specs on the older pups). I noticed a significant change to the tone of the newer neck pups, real nice.

December 15th, 2006, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
AJ Love Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI Age: 42 Posts: 864	thanks GuitarJonz... yes indeed I like the fatter necks and redesigned pickups

December 15th, 2006, 06:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
JJ Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 353	no refinish................my tele is a 86 & looks very similiar to Bill's, but not as drastic....the earlier ones age nicely.....if you play them alot