1988 American Telecaster

[rugby1]

I'm new here so please don't mind if this has been asked before.
I currently have 2 Tele's, in profile.
I'm looking at perhaps buying this Tele. The owner says that the late 80's Tele's were of superior quality.
Is this true? Where can I find a review of this guitar?
Thanks.

[bglaze]

I don't see a guitar or a link that you are referring to...

[rugby1]

Originally Posted by bglaze

I don't see a guitar or a link that you are referring to...

Sorry, here's the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=012

[modelo dos]

I'm certainly no authority on tele values, but the "buy it now" price seems rather high to me for an American Standard. You could buy a brand new one for less than that... I have a black '95 American Standard purchased on Ebay, I think I paid $610 with case plus shipping. Granted, even new black units sell for a few bucks less and the factory pickups had been replaced with a Seymour Duncan STL-3/STR-3 set (great pickups, by the way), the body was immaculate for a 12 year old guitar. The neck has a minor finish flaking issue, as I understand it this is somewhat typical for Fenders around that time, but it does not affect playability in any way. All that said, it looks like a clean guitar (with exception to the damage shown in the picture), I just don't know if I could deal with the $1100 price tag. Makes me wonder what the other 5 bids are and what the seller is actually willing to take as an offer.

[rugby1]

I don't know if I can do the price either. Seems a bit steep and I can't find any reviews to support the hit. Thanks for the reply.

[Stefan]

"ALMOST VINTAGE"

That is nowhere near vintage! I am sure it´s a good Tele though. I can´t say if the price is right either. A bit too much if you ask me. I would look at a newer Tele.

[Durtdog]

Originally Posted by Stefan

That is nowhere near vintage! I am sure it´s a good Tele though. I can´t say if the price is right either. A bit too much if you ask me. I would look at a newer Tele.

It's 19, lots of people consider 20 years old vintage, but what do I know from vintage?
The price does seem a little steep to me, I'd buy a new one I could play first before I'd pay that much for that guitar, especially on ebay.

The seller does a lot of flag waving and talks a lot about 80's quality being better, and on and on...lotta SALES talk if you ask me.

[austintele]

Too much and the shipping is a bit high. It's best to have a return policy as guitars/telecasters can vary greatly in sound, weight, and playability

Here are two on ebay right now that are more competitively priced and similar condition. Good luck

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

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

reviews

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...elecaster/10/1

[jwells393]

I see your offer is pending. If the seller accepts your offer you need to also get a break on shipping since you both are in New Jersey.

[Jellecaster]

I have an American Standard purchased brand-new at about that time. It is a fine guitar, but there is nothing special about it (other than the fact that it was my first Tele!) I would NEVER pay over a grand for that guitar, and I am depressed that I guitar that I bought new is considered "almost vintage"!

I have a Les Paul from the early 80's - I wonder if I can sell it and retire?

[purpletele]

They are nice, I don't know about superior, but used I think $600 to $800 is more common.

[Easydog]

Too expensive, I got my 97 Am Std for $550. Seem you could get that guit NEW for around $900. Dont waste your $ on a USED 20 yr old guit (for $1100). Golden Years??? Late 80's superior quality????? Vintage???? Sounds like a line to me. Nah.

[BlackASATClassic]

That guy shovels it pretty thick..!

That being said, late eighties American Standard Fenders are starting to creep up in value. They're usually in the $800-1000 category. After 20 years, they are starting to darken up and look a little "vintage".

If you really like the guitar, I think $800 is a reasonable offer.

[Jellecaster]

I paid $650 for mine at the time, brand new - for what it's worth...

[spankdplank]

Way too much $$, IMO. I have an '87 Am Stndrd Strat I bought new in '87 for $600. A good solid guitar, but I wouldn't pay more than $750--$800 for it today.

[tcadam]

If you like that guitar, check the Vintage Guitar Price Guide (Barnes and Noble usually has it, you can look w/o buying it) for a better idea of the value. Like the others, I think 1100 bucks is on the high side by maybe as much as 25% if not more.

[amp boy]

it costs too much, and if you can't play it first, don't buy it.
that just makes sense.
you could buy a whole lot more of guitar for that money, or build one yerself.
your in NJ, so many local shops around you it's ridiculas.
hell i'm driving in to NY for a day just to look around at some guitar shops.
plus i here their is thie GC 20% off sale next friday, or possibly even beforehand if you got the mailer to hand in with your purchase.
i say take a look at the local options.
plus you get to play it.
what ever happened to haggling ??
hahahaa.......

[amp boy]

Check out the teles on the gear page.
search RBrooks.
nice looking stuff.

[detuned]

There's a section about the early 80's strats in that enormous Fender Stratocaster book that came out a while back. They say that, at the time, Fender was looking to make a splash with a new American-made Stratocaster (& presumably the Tele as well), so they paid particular attention to the quality of the instruments.

Does that make this Tele "better", or more valuable? Well, no. Not necessarily.

If you can play before you buy, & you think it's "the one", don't let a few dollars stand between you & your perfect instrument. But if it's not, don't spend the extra.

My two cents.

[purpletele]

"There's a section about the early 80's strats in that enormous Fender Stratocaster book that came out a while back. They say that, at the time, Fender was looking to make a splash with a new American-made Stratocaster (& presumably the Tele as well), so they paid particular attention to the quality of the instruments."

ok, FWIW I do have an 86' AV 62 RI Strat. I will say that it is one of the nicest I've ever played. I paid $300 for it last year. I read somewhere that the builders that built these first few years of American Vintage RI Instruments went on to become the custom shop. I don't know how this reflects AM Stds though.

[Lost_N_Austin]

I have one just like it only nicer and without any "Dings". I consider it to be worth $800.00. I'm not in love with the TBX tone control by the way.

I use the analogy of the people who have purchased and "Mothballed" a Deloren automobile or a 1978 Indy Pacecar Corvette that are stored away and have no miles. They are just old - they are not more valuable because they are old.

L_N_A