How can I determine and document which parts on my Tele Deluxe are original?

So you went from a possible refinish and other changes to just a few, that's great.

Just for reference I have another pic showing the pots from the pickguard. Note the volumes are plastic shafts and the tones are metal. Again this is factory, I have a '75 that is identical.

And note the white dots in the pickguard about 1 - 2 o'clock around the pots. Do you have them on your pickguard? I still think pearloid guards came with chrome knobs like you have.

 

Fiesta red would be a custom color for the '70's, I can see that and the guard a perfect match. At least you have a real close to original classic with the original pick ups. It took me a while to appreciate the sound compared to a Gibby, but that clear tone with still a little twang is great for lead or rhythm. The 9.5 inch fretboard radius makes bending easy.

How do you like the sound and how your guitar plays?

One more pic, here is my '73 with my '75 underneath.

 

What was his explanation as to why Fender didn't use the regular paint stick on this?

 

If you look at a price list from the 60's say the 68 list available on the fender website you will see under the listing for the guitar: available in custom dupont finish- 5% additional. at the end of the price list refinishes are available for $50 with an upcharge of 5% for custom color.
If you look at a 70's price list say the 73 list available on the fender website you will note the absence of dupont colors on offer, the absence of the refinishing service and instead a list of available custom colors. The colors available for this model were blonde, black, natural and sunburst note there is no red at all available.

Fiesta and Dakota red were dropped in 69 and CAR was dropped in 73. Custom colors were phased out from 69 to 74 and gone by 75.

Fiesta red would be an odd color for the seventies. So if it's original the guitar is rare. But it's probably an old refinish.

 

There is a set of tuners on eBay that might be interesting for replacements:

 

Here's another:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=273123367256

 

I had to come back and look at this thread again. I love this guitar. You did well on this ...congrats

 

No way,FR wasn't an option even in custom orders by 1973

I have never seen a pearl pickguard on a 70s deluxe,they were always BLACK (they were available for the Thiline IIs during 73 so the material was available but what are the chances of custom ordering a pearl pickguard in the 70s form a cookie cutter company like CBS?)

The bridge plate MIGHT be original the bridge saddles are 100% NOT original (the good thing is that they are SS so they sound WAY better than the original zinc ones).

 

Someone probably put on a repro guard when the body was refinished. It's not factory there is no foil anywhere on the guard. Still a very nice guitar.

 

My guitar is a few years newer than yours (1977), but it is in mint condition. I would be glad to share any details/photos with you that would be useful.

 

I think it's a nice guitar that's been refinished with a changed guard. Tuners and pots are likely original. They just pulled pots our of a big bin. They weren't selling many Teles io any type then. My 78 had plastic shaft pots with splines. That should have had tophat skirted amp knobs.

A friend has a very original 76, lots of shielding, star ground, braided wire from pickups with plain plastic wire in white plastic sheaths.

Hers is sunburst and it's alder as would all solid colours have been. Custom colours were more like 'standard upcharge option more akin to getting metallic paint in your car' by then. No longer would the factory pull a body out and paint it any pretty colour because they had limited poly spray booths and they were now making lots of different models by then. CBS was very different to Leo era.

That would be natural or blonde, with no paint stick in the neck pocket it's a refin.

 

I think this Deluxe is fabulous. I would replace all the pots(saving the orig in the case of course) dress the frets and wear it out. The tones that come out of these is absolutely spectacular to my ears!

Fantastic buy! Play it and play it some more!! Thanks for sharing the detailed pics!!