Fender made in Korea $540 - Kid wants specs...

[pulp42]

Hi guys,

Maybe you could tell us if we got taken as well.

The guitar only says Fender (it's a Telecaster style) and is made in Korea.
Anyways, is there a link where we can put in the serial number and the specs will show up, ie: wood, pickups, heads, etc? The Fender site is so confusing and if you don't reside in the U.S. you can't do a lot like online warranty etc...

So, he paid $540 for this retro looking Keith Richardsish Tele, made in Korea. Good deal? I really like the classic look to it and its feel so I'm hoping we did all right.

Thanks for any help fellahs!










P.S. If you need more pictures or something clearer, lemme know!

[Rizo]

Sounds like the Light (or Lite?) Ash tele. They're nice... I almost bought a black one, but I think that's what you're dealing with.

I don't know that I'd pay that for a used one though.

[skeksis]

looks like a guitar in the "Lite Ash" line, though I haven't seen that finish. your price is probably fine for the guitar... not a fantastic deal, but not bad. I don't know much else about them, but search lite ash for specs.

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by Rizo

Sounds like the Light (or Lite?) Ash tele. They're nice... I almost bought a black one, but I think that's what you're dealing with.

I don't know that I'd pay that for a used one though.

It's NEW. Thanks, feeling a bit better. :)

[Talmir]

I´d be suspicious because it doesnt say "telecaster" on the headstock..

But seems the other people here think its ok, so hey.. Have fun with it :) (Also, you got pretty nice pickups in it if you got SD´s.. At least they´re not no-name :) )

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by Talmir

I´d be suspicious because it doesnt say "telecaster" on the headstock..

But seems the other people here think its ok, so hey.. Have fun with it :) (Also, you got pretty nice pickups in it if you got SD´s.. At least they´re not no-name :) )

Indeed, says Seymour Duncan on the bridge one.
Another suspicious thing is the neck, fretboard. Feels smooth as silk but look at this cross angle:



Not all birdseyemaple? Does have the nice Abalone Dot inlays though! :D

[jwells393]

Put your suspicions away. Everything about it say Fender Lite Ash Telecaster ............. "Fender only" decal, toploader/string through bridge, birdseye capped neck, 22 fret board, abalone fret markers.

[neocaster]

That's a lite ash Tele, and a nice looking one. You might have done a little better pricewise, but you were hardly taken. I see them in stores new to the low side of $600 ($529 - $579) depending on how much in-store dust they've collected.

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Put your suspicions away. Everything about it say Fender Lite Ash Telecaster ............. "Fender only" decal, toploader/string through bridge, birdseye capped neck, 22 fret board, abalone fret markers.

Does the USA Fender Lite Ash not have a capped neck, ie one solid piece?

[jwells393]

There is no USA Lite Ash Telecaster.

I should have said............. birdseye capped neck with skunkstripe.

[Mark Davis]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Model Name Lite Ash Telecaster®
Model Number 026-5102-(521)
Series Special Edition Series
Colors (506) Black,
(521) Natural,
(541) Vintage White,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Body Lightweight Ash
Neck Birdseye Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Birdseye Maple, 9.5” Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups Seymour Duncan® APTR-1, APTL-1, (Neck/Bridge) (AP=Alnico Pro)
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Switching 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Bridge Vintage Style with 3 Brass Saddles
Machine Heads Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 1-Ply Black
Scale Length 25.5” (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.625”
Unique Features Black Plastic Parts,
Abalone Dot Position Inlays,
Oversized Strap Buttons
Strings Fender Super 250L, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042),
p/n 073-0250-003
Accessories None
Case None
Introduced 1/2004
Notice Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by jwells393

There is no USA Lite Ash Telecaster.

I should have said............. birdseye capped neck with skunkstripe.

Okay, so they used maple and then glued on birdseye for the fingerboard, right?

So, if the Lite Ash isn't made in the USA, why was mine $540 and Fender's website states $900? Doesn't it prove mine is a knock-off of some sort?

[skeksis]

you're getting into murky waters when talking about "list" prices or even "MSRP" prices versus what you'll actually pay in a store or online. It's not uncommon that street prices are around 2/3 of list prices. sometimes a little more, others a little less. especially if you're looking at a 'new' item that's either sat on the shelf in a store for a long time, or a 'new' item being sold in a non-certified dealer, expect it to drift closer to 1/2 of the list price. I think dealers actually pay something close to 1/2 of list price themselves, and that gives you some idea how slim their margins can be.

quit worrying about it. you guitar is legit, exactly what we're telling you, and your price was good (I looked online and most dealers who have 'em ask $620US). enjoy!

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by skeksis

quit worrying about it. you guitar is legit, exactly what we're telling you, and your price was good (I looked online and most dealers who have 'em ask $620US). enjoy!

Okay, thanks skeksis and all! You guys rock.

Last question which was never adressed, isn't there a website where you type in your guitar's serial number and info pops up? I couldn't find it on Fender's and where it might be is only for US residents.

[jwells393]

Fagitaboudit ............... The prices given in Fender's price lists are list prices. No one (in their right mind) pays list price. The standard selling price is 30% off list which would make a $900 guitar sell for around $630. You should be able to buy it anywhere, anytime for that price. It appears you son got a decent deal for a new one. I bought a like new used one for $350. I buy all my guitars used.

[TDPRI]

Originally Posted by pulp42

isn't there a website where you type in your guitar's serial number and info pops up? I couldn't find it on Fender's and where it might be is only for US residents.

I don't think there is on the Fender site... and on other hobby sites that have that it's for older guitars in general.

New guitars are just exactly like the specs on the Fender website and posted for you above by Mark Davis. There isn't anything more to be learned about that guitar by researching it's serial number.

[gtrman911]

$540?
new?
..........buy it.

[Onyx Z]

Originally Posted by pulp42

Okay, so they used maple and then glued on birdseye for the fingerboard, right?

Mine is a birdseye maple neck AND a birdseye maple fretboard. Definitely looks like a Lite Ash Tele... or maybe a nocaster, it doesn't say "Telecaster" on the headstock after all.... At least that's what I tell everyone.

[pulp42]

Originally Posted by Onyx Z

Mine is a birdseye maple neck AND a birdseye maple fretboard.

Onyx, may I ask you to post a side view of the neck like mine?