‘62 Stratocaster or ‘66 Telecaster - which would you go for?

[tuuur]

Telecaster always.
I mean, you are asking this question on the TELECASTER discussion page. What did you expect?

 

[msalama]

Would you trust it being a Brazilian?

I'll err on the side of caution and say it's Indian. The Brazilian government restricted their RW exports in 1965, I think, and at least some sources claim the old stock was gradually replenished, and finally replaced, with Indian by the end of that year. Does the fingerboard have a reddish tint to it?

 

[toanhunter]

62 strat for me, but I'm more of a strat guy and lead guitarist so bear that in mind, I'm sure both of them will likely sound great.

 

[Antoon]

The price you mentioned sounds rather cheap to me for a factory custom color '66 Telecaster. Does the seller claim the fiesta red finish is original? I would expect a price above $20k

 

[msalama]

a price above $20k

What was it, an 11K ask possibly negotiable down to 9? Yeah, that's kind of low, now that you mention it.

 

[Flyboy]

Haha! Yes, the custom color makes it extra cool! The Stratocaster being refinished doesn’t bother me too much - seeing it has been done by Clive - but the rewound pickup, the switch and pickguard has me a bit worried in terms of me being unhappy with it. I realize this makes me sound like a cork sniffer, but I assure you these are getting used to make music - I just enjoy “untouched”, at least in terms of electronics and hardware (the exception being frets and nut, mind you). The Tele plays great. A little weight to it, but not the worst.

I’ve got no Fenders, actually! Previously ive had both Telecasters and Stratocasters, all made in Mexico. As for vintage you could say I’m a Gibson guy, I guess. As of now ive got a 1961 ES175D, 1963 SG (Les Paul) Junior, 1964 ES345, and a 1964 SG Special. All untouched, except the above mentioned frets and nut, with one pot on being changed out in the Special as well.

Though Clive Brown's work is outstanding, if you have the slightest doubt about any aspect of any guitar.......DON'T!! Go for the Tele.

EDIt: Are you sure of the Tele's components?

 

[Matthias]

There’s some extra pleasure in owning something with few or no mods, so the Tele has that going for it. If you want a pre-CBS Strat and you only want to pay for a player, ‘62 is certainly a peak year and one to tick off the list. Shame it’s not a slab board. I think a lot of this comes down to preference. It’s really difficult to know how the value will change, and models do somewhat fluctuate independently.

 

[arlum]

It's obvious this forum is naturally biased towards Telecasters. That said ....... I too am going to pick the Telecaster. In my case it's solely about which one is all original. A refin can cut the value of a used instrument by over 50%. When a pro investor is buying a vintage instrument they'll want to verify everything right down to the caps, wiring harness, etc. Heck. "This isn't the original strap peg. I'm reducing my offer by 10%". If both were completely original I would have picked the Stratocaster because both the '62s and '63s were played by many name Strat players who loved their thick C neck shape with the '63 being slightly bigger than the '62. I'm sure the '66 Telecaster is a great guitar but I've never heard anyone saying it was a stand out year for the instrument.

 

[63 Junior]

I'll err on the side of caution and say it's Indian. The Brazilian government restricted their RW exports in 1965, I think, and at least some sources claim the old stock was gradually replenished, and finally replaced, with Indian by the end of that year. Does the fingerboard have a reddish tint to it?

Quite dark, not sure. A luthier claimed he could feel and smell Brazilian, but who knows

 

[63 Junior]

The price you mentioned sounds rather cheap to me for a factory custom color '66 Telecaster. Does the seller claim the fiesta red finish is original? I would expect a price above $20k

It is original - at least claimed to be, and if I do have to pay 11, it’s still a good deal, right? Keep in mind this is in Norway, and the prices of vintage stuff is fairly low here compared to the EU and the US.

 

[scottser]

Tele, all day long. Fiesta Red is a banging colour, no brainer for me anyway.

 

[63 Junior]

Though Clive Brown's work is outstanding, if you have the slightest doubt about any aspect of any guitar.......DON'T!! Go for the Tele.

EDIt: Are you sure of the Tele's components?

I think so! I’ve added a few more pictures! Let me know what you can see

 

[63 Junior]

Here’s more

The original pickguard has been changed due to it carrying a Willie Nelson signature. It had another, and that one has been removed in order to test if that could be done - which it could.

 

[63 Junior]

The price you mentioned sounds rather cheap to me for a factory custom color '66 Telecaster. Does the seller claim the fiesta red finish is original? I would expect a price above $20k

I agree, totally! The market in Norway is crazy slow for vintage guitars, and also a lot less straining on the wallet compared to let’s say the EU and the US.

 

[d barham]

Between that tele and that strat, id pick that tele all day long. A dream guitar for sure.

 

[Flyboy]

Here’s more

The original pickguard has been changed due to it carrying a Willie Nelson signature. It had another, and that one has been removed in order to test if that could be done - which it could.

That's super-clean wiring/soldering for a '66.

 

[Antoon]

I agree, totally! The market in Norway is crazy slow for vintage guitars, and also a lot less straining on the wallet compared to let’s say the EU and the US.

I would think every seller in Norway would sell internationally on Reverb. Again, if original, the Fiesta Tele is worth double of what they are apparently asking.

 

[63 Junior]

I would think every seller in Norway would sell internationally on Reverb. Again, if original, the Fiesta Tele is worth double of what they are apparently asking.

You’d be surprised! It’s also a thing about us wanting to keep what little vintage stuff we have over here. So, sort of an unspoken rule that you do at least try to keep it in the country

 

[Dirtsquirrel]

I pick both!

 

[Antoon]

I guess American guitars have always been import items in Norway, selling on an international market? With lots of vintage/collectable items there are only a handful of serious buyers worldwide. Sometimes only one. I buy and sell vintage guitars locally, but always for a market price (plus Dutch VAT).