1978 Tele. Asking the Pros.

[ScottJPatrick]

The Tele in my avatar photo was a 1976/7 exactly like yours, the serial number was on the neckplate so definitely pre 1978 but I've no idea what it was. It looks pretty much the same as yours but then again the photo of mine was taken in about 1980!

 

[mjcyates]

Very nice guitar. Here is a pic of the headstock of my 1977 tele for comparison.

 

[Wildeman]

Well,

Here we go. First off, the story is that the original owner passed away not too long after purchase and the guitar was willed/given to a family member who didn't play it so it did indeed live under a bed for at least a couple decades. The person I bought the guitar from was a friend of the guy who inherited the guitar and though he is/was a professional musician he played the fiddle. The guitar has been used here and there for studio work (& cavities were shielded for that purpose) but that's about it. Only the original owner knows what happened to the case.

Looks like the input jack and or grounding leads have new solder but all other joins (on the 3 way) are original. Didn't really dig too far into it at the jamspot, will look closer another time. I'm not worried about what I'll find when I remove the neck (at some point in the future).
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Nice weight, nice smaller neck and sounds great through the Twin. Some settings almost acoustic like.

No fret wear, $3250 Canadian and met another great person.

That's it buddy!!!!! Well done

 

[monkeybanana]

Congrats! Please think of me if you ever need to move it (even though I already have too many guitars).

 

[msalama]

Congrats, a nice looking natural! How does she play?

 

[G.Rotten]

Congrats! Please think of me if you ever need to move it (even though I already have too many guitars).

Lol. So do I. I have what's known as a little bit of a "Massive Guitar Addiction".

I'll have to buckle down and make some cuts.

 

[G.Rotten]

Congrats, a nice looking natural! How does she play?

Only spent about 20/30 minutes with it today. Very comfortable neck, perfectly set up.

 

[blue metalflake]

If you get around to checking the neck code, it will be 8 digits, starting 13 03 - telecaster with maple board.
Next two numbers are week, then year & finally day.
Just to confuse things, the last two digits sometimes get swopped over.

 

[Wrighty]

Hey All,

There's a vintage Tele near me that seems too clean to actually be from 78. Curious to hear expert opinions and wonder what kind of value it should be.

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The thing I most question is the 2 template dowel holes on the body. I know they did that earlier but thought it wasn't a thing on the 70's ones. Looking through ads for other 78 Ash bodied Teles I don't see those holes on any of them. My guitar knowledge/experience is just based on guitars I have owned and I've not had any Fenders older than mid 80's. Seller says 8 pounds, 5 ounces which I would think would be light for the era. Does not have an original case.

Thanks in advance.

Looking forward to your NGD but,out of interest, would you indicate where the dowel holes are and what they are? Not something I’m familiarcwith

 

[G.Rotten]

Looking forward to your NGD but,out of interest, would you indicate where the dowel holes are and what they are? Not something I’m familiarcwith

Here's the back of my guitar. There are two areas that kind of could at first glance look like small knots or other imperfections but they are actually small holes filled with dowel.

This is something Fender did very early on and the holes are for keeping the body aligned to a template they're using with a pin router. What puzzled me is why it's on a late seventies body when this is supposedly a pre CBS thing. Most Teles of the era I see online don't have these holes but I have seen others so I know mine isn't the only example.

This pic copied from an ended Reverb ad.

Same size holes in the same location.

I have no idea why any of them have it or why not all of them have it. I'm sure other members here so know through.

Here's a link to a guy using a pin router. Fender used screws instead of double sided tape.

 

[Wildeman]

Here's the back of my guitar. There are two areas that kind of could at first glance look like small knots or other imperfections but they are actually small holes filled with dowel.
View attachment 1064911
This is something Fender did very early on and the holes are for keeping the body aligned to a template they're using with a pin router. What puzzled me is why it's on a late seventies body when this is supposedly a pre CBS thing. Most Teles of the era I see online don't have these holes but I have seen others so I know mine isn't the only example.

This pic copied from an ended Reverb ad.
View attachment 1064910
Same size holes in the same location.

I have no idea why any of them have it or why not all of them have it. I'm sure other members here so know through.

Here's a link to a guy using a pin router. Fender used screws instead of double sided tape.

I bet they all have them, just some are hidden better. That thing really is nice man, you sure it's not heavy

 

[G.Rotten]

I bet they all have them, just some are hidden better. That thing really is nice man, you sure it's not heavy

The ad said 8 pounds 5 ounces. I haven't brought the guitar home yet because I left it at the Jam Spot to continue doing Christmas shopping that day, but it felt comfortable on the shoulder.

 

[Wrighty]

Here's the back of my guitar. There are two areas that kind of could at first glance look like small knots or other imperfections but they are actually small holes filled with dowel.
View attachment 1064911
This is something Fender did very early on and the holes are for keeping the body aligned to a template they're using with a pin router. What puzzled me is why it's on a late seventies body when this is supposedly a pre CBS thing. Most Teles of the era I see online don't have these holes but I have seen others so I know mine isn't the only example.

This pic copied from an ended Reverb ad.
View attachment 1064910
Same size holes in the same location.

I have no idea why any of them have it or why not all of them have it. I'm sure other members here so know through.

Here's a link to a guy using a pin router. Fender used screws instead of double sided tape.

Fascinating, something I never knew about, thanks. Perhaps Wildeman is right? They all have / had them and they’ve gone unnoticed or covered by the finish.

 

[Full-Tilt-Tele]

Looks like a '78 Tele! A nice one....
A guitar that clean has a case.

Agreed, '78 Tele in Great Condition, but not the original case included... BIG RED FLAG!

 

[G.Rotten]

Agreed, '78 Tele in Great Condition, but not the original case included... BIG RED FLAG!

Red flag as in maybe stolen?

I talked to the seller for about 45 minutes. He asked to keep in touch and told me what bands he's toured with as a professional bluegrass/country fiddle player.

He also would like first dibs if I ever decide to sell it. Basically he has an injury that prevents him from working his normal job and also performing on a regular basis. In addition to this guitar he was selling a half dozen violins and an upright bass. I have his number and address as originally I was going to go to his place and then I asked if he would come to my jam spot. To me, that all adds up to an honest sale.

 

[FabriceKaiser]

Looks totally genuine to me and an absolute steal at that price!

 

[Derrick]

I bet they all have them, just some are hidden better. That thing really is nice man, you sure it's not heavy

First, wow... congrats! What a great looking Tele. Second, I had to look at my '78 and sure enough they are on mine too. Mine is a mocha color so I bet they all had this. I have had mine since the mid 90s and never even noticed these doweled holes FWIW, mine is on the lighter side, sounds great acoustically and plugged in, and the neck is medium to medium thin for comparison. A particularly good example form the 70s.

 

[myfenderissues]

Hey All,

There's a vintage Tele near me that seems too clean to actually be from 78. Curious to hear expert opinions and wonder what kind of value it should be.

View attachment 1064353 View attachment 1064354 View attachment 1064355 View attachment 1064356

The thing I most question is the 2 template dowel holes on the body. I know they did that earlier but thought it wasn't a thing on the 70's ones. Looking through ads for other 78 Ash bodied Teles I don't see those holes on any of them. My guitar knowledge/experience is just based on guitars I have owned and I've not had any Fenders older than mid 80's. Seller says 8 pounds, 5 ounces which I would think would be light for the era. Does not have an original case.

Thanks in advance

if reverb stands by it as legit than i guess it's real and if it isn't you can get money from them. it has been refinished (neck and body) which detracts a lot from value. cbs era guitars have a signature bloobyness to the thick finish which is a big part of their look. as an investor guitar i'd stay away but as a player guitar maybe it's worth getting. anyone who knows these guitars will see it's refinished 10 feet away by the 3 piece body and the rather poorly toned center piece wood grain. no, i would not pay big money for this guitar.

 

[G.Rotten]

if reverb stands by it as legit than i guess it's real and if it isn't you can get money from them. it has been refinished (neck and body) which detracts a lot from value. cbs era guitars have a signature bloobyness to the thick finish which is a big part of their look. as an investor guitar i'd stay away but as a player guitar maybe it's worth getting. anyone who knows these guitars will see it's refinished 10 feet away by the 3 piece body and the rather poorly toned center piece wood grain. no, i would not pay big money for this guitar.

I respectfully disagree with both versions of your assessment. I think perhaps you're confusing/mixing specs from various models of the era.

The only part of this guitar I did wonder about was the dowel holes and I think that question has been put to rest.

 

[Sharp]

Very nice.