‘52 or ‘63? Why?

[Tricky1325]

Which one is the better one in why? I’m all ears.

 

[archetype]

I think '52 is ok, but I wasn't around for it as I was born in '54. '63 was ok for me, but home life was kind of crappy.

Really, what on earth is your question? What, specifically, do you want to know?

 

[telecaster1234]

Vague as a mother trucker.

 

[telecaster1234]

A better question is: 25 or 6 to 4?

 

[telecaster1234]

Don't forget about those love letters. They were dated 1962.

 

[Tricky1325]

Lol sorry this is a Tele forum, I’m talking 52’ tele or 63’ tele

 

[telecaster1234]

What about 1982? Thats when the dude had her.

 

[telecaster1234]

69 was the best days of his life.

I can't stop.

 

[LocoTex]

69 was good for me.

 

[Tricky1325]

None of yow have answered the Q

 

[jondanger]

You’re going to have to be a little bit more specific. Most dudes on here will also be loathe to answer a “which is better” question, because your personal preference about certain aspects of the instrument will determine which fits your needs the best.

Are you talking about an AVRI 52 vs the Custom Shop 63 reissue?

 

[telecaster1234]

There is no better year as far as teles go. There are 4major break up points in teles. In my opinion its these.

1. 1950-1954
2. 1954-1959
3. 1959-1965
4. 1966-1969

1. Are blackguards. Mostly what we call butterscotch blondes. Blonde in the day. They have more grit and bite in the pickups, which are flat pole pieces. They have brass saddles. They had pretty big U necks with 7.25 radius.

2. Now they are white guards. The blonde is now lighter. The pickups switched to staggered in 1955. These years are generally to be considered more bright and airy. Think tele spank.
These necks are still 7.25 radius bjt slightly smaller and D shaped but still chunky. The brass saddles are now steel, which is believed to contribute to the brightness. Alder body teles in solid colors are starting to appear.

3. Behold the rosewood board teles. They are slab boards from 59-62 and then veneer from 62 onward. The blonde is lightened again and the whiteguard is now a 3 ply WBW guard on solid colors, except on blondes which stayed single ply until 63. Also all guards have 8 screw holes now. These teles are perceived to have great output and considered the honkiest sounding. The necks again are still 7.25 but become thinner and C shaped but still very chunky compared to a modern C. Also in 59 there are some top loading teles but that didn't last a full year as most people didn't like that.

4. Not much changes from 65 just now Fender is owned by CBS. And they are starting to transition to poly in this time frame. They also bring back some maple board models. The paisleys are introduced in this peroid.

I hope all this helps. It's so many subtle differences from transitions and year to year that it would take much to long to type it out. You've came to the right place to learn. Just keep reading and searching.

 

[burntfrijoles]

Lol sorry this is a Tele forum, I’m talking 52’ tele or 63’ tele

Do you prefer a maple fretboard or a rosewood board? An ash body tone wood or alder body wood?

I think the 63 has a warmer tone but thats just my opinion. I prefer rosewood (both the look and feel) so I would take a 63. However, I do love the relic look of a 52 maple with the cowboy chord wear on the lower frets.

 

[telecaster1234]

Do you prefer a maple fretboard or a rosewood board? An ash body tone wood or alder body wood?

I think the 63 has a warmer tone but thats just my opinion. I prefer rosewood (both the look and feel) so I would take a 63. However, I do love the relic look of a 52 maple with the cowboy chord wear on the lower frets.

Baby steps man. He's asking about 52 or 63 and you mention the word relic. He might short circuit now.

 

[Artslap]

Hendrix said it best: "If 6 was 9"

CP.

 

[Tricky1325]

You’re going to have to be a little bit more specific. Most dudes on here will also be loathe to answer a “which is better” question, because your personal preference about certain aspects of the instrument will determine which fits your needs the best.

Are you talking about an AVRI 52 vs the Custom Shop 63 reissue?

I’m looking at getting a relic Tele, and wanna know if a 52 or 63 base model is better, like what one do people prefer?

 

[Dacious]

Either or both. Like snappy ash and Spanky maple? 52. Smoother rosewood and warm lively alder? 63. Either way. Can't go wrong.

 

[Tricky1325]

There is no better year as far as teles go. There are 4major break up points in teles. In my opinion its these.

1. 1950-1954
2. 1954-1959
3. 1959-1965
4. 1966-1969

1. Are blackguards. Mostly what we call butterscotch blondes. Blonde in the day. They have more grit and bite in the pickups, which are flat pole pieces. They have brass saddles. They had pretty big U necks with 7.25 radius.

2. Now they are white guards. The blonde is now lighter. The pickups switched to staggered in 1955. These years are generally to be considered more bright and airy. Think tele spank.
These necks are still 7.25 radius bjt slightly smaller and D shaped but still chunky. The brass saddles are now steel, which is believed to contribute to the brightness. Alder body teles in solid colors are starting to appear.

3. Behold the rosewood board teles. They are slab boards from 59-62 and then veneer from 62 onward. The blonde is lightened again and the whiteguard is now a 3 ply WBW guard on solid colors, except on blondes which stayed single ply until 63. Also all guards have 8 screw holes now. These teles are perceived to have great output and considered the honkiest sounding. The necks again are still 7.25 but become thinner and C shaped but still very chunky compared to a modern C. Also in 59 there are some top loading teles but that didn't last a full year as most people didn't like that.

4. Not much changes from 65 just now Fender is owned by CBS. And they are starting to transition to poly in this time frame. They also bring back some maple board models. The paisleys are introduced in this peroid.

I hope all this helps. It's so many subtle differences from transitions and year to year that it would take much to long to type it out. You've came to the right place to learn. Just keep reading and searching.

Thanks heaps! That really helps, it sounds like the 63 would be the better option but I prefer ash over alder

 

[Tricky1325]

Do you prefer a maple fretboard or a rosewood board? An ash body tone wood or alder body wood?

I think the 63 has a warmer tone but thats just my opinion. I prefer rosewood (both the look and feel) so I would take a 63. However, I do love the relic look of a 52 maple with the cowboy chord wear on the lower frets.

The magic Tele I’m looking for has to have an ash body and rosewood fretboard, don’t mind the maple but I do prefer, like you, the look and feel of rosewood over maple.

 

[Tricky1325]

Baby steps man. He's asking about 52 or 63 and you mention the word relic. He might short circuit now.

Nah that’s what I’m looking for! Either a 52 or 63 relic.