52 AVRI not sure if is legit

[olivierlehen]

I am new to this forum but not new to the Telecaster. I have a MIM HH Blacktop, an American Utra and a Standard. And I am trying to purchase a 2008 AVRI 52 which seems legit. The numer on the plate is not linked to anything registered properly which seems to be something regular on this model. It shows acutallyu a 61-62 telecaster as per the SN on the bridge cover. I called Fender and I had a very nice conservation with them and after passing videos en pictures it seems to be a legit 52 AVRI. But in order to be 100% sure I want to send it thoughout other sources with other opinions Let me know if anything is not matching. Obviously the fretboard will need to redone to the specs as you can tell on the "relic wear".

Thanks. Oliver

 

[Telekarster]

From what I can see, so far so good, but would like to see the headstock and the neck heel

 

[olivierlehen]

here are more pics of headstock and neck heel

 

[Telekarster]

here are more pics of headstock and neck heel View attachment 1015109 View attachment 1015110 View attachment 1015111 View attachment 1015112 View attachment 1015113 View attachment 1015114 View attachment 1015115 View attachment 1015116 View attachment 1015117 View attachment 1015118

Thanks that helps. Do you have any pics of the underside of the neck heel itself, not attached to the body? Would like to see the marks and stamps on it if possible

 

[Boreas]

Body stamps look OK. Looks like a mix of Phillips and flat blade screws - no big deal. Fender decal on neck looks a little tilted but could be my imagination - no big deal. Any pix of the neck heel?

 

[olivierlehen]

Here we are ..all the pics

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

The body is fine, part code and bar code sticker say '52.
The neck possibly Japanese? - TL J D and embossed TAW 002 52 5254 I've never seen on a US '52 neck. Jerry Donahue maybe.
Wiring is not factory, switch is dated 2016.

 

[BobbyMac]

The body looks like a genuine Fender USA 52 reissue body. The neck, however, does not. The stamping on the neck heel at the truss rod adjust is unlike anything I have ever seen in person or in pictures of a USA 52 reissue Telecaster.

Is the headstock logo a decal placed on top of the finish (like a USA 52 reissue) or is it buried underneath the finish (like MIM/MIJ)?

The wiring looks suspect to me. I don't think Fender uses shrink tubing on the USA 52 reissues, and the soldering looks too messy to be Fender USA factory work.

The flat top knobs are not correct for a 52 reissue.

I think the bridge plate serial number is awfully high for a USA 52 reissue. Those high-number serialized bridge plates (and the Hot Rod USA bridge assemblies) have high numbers like that one and are available as parts from Fender.

The mix of phillips and slot head screws is definitely not something you'd see on an original USA 52 reissue.

I think all this leads me to believe this guitar is not an all original USA 52 reissue.

Edited to add: Every screw on a genuine USA 52 reissue guitar should have a slot head, including tuner mounting screws, neck mounting screws, saddle height and intonation screws, bridge and pickup mounting screws. Too many screws on that guitar are absolutely not correct or original.

 

[1 21 gigawatts]

It looks like the neck holes have been plugged and redrilled.

 

[Telekarster]

The body looks like a genuine Fender USA 52 reissue body. The neck, however, does not. The stamping on the neck heel at the truss rod adjust is unlike anything I have ever seen in person or in pictures of a USA 52 reissue Telecaster.

Is the headstock logo a decal placed on top of the finish (like a USA 52 reissue) or is it buried underneath the finish (like MIM/MIJ)?

The wiring looks suspect to me. I don't think Fender uses shrink tubing on the USA 52 reissues, and the soldering looks too messy to be Fender USA factory work.

The flat top knobs are not correct for a 52 reissue.

I think the bridge plate serial number is awfully high for a USA 52 reissue. Those high-number serialized bridge plates (and the Hot Rod USA bridge assemblies) have high numbers like that one and are available as parts from Fender.

The mix of phillips and slot head screws is definitely not something you'd see on an original USA 52 reissue.

I think all this leads me to believe this guitar is not an all original USA 52 reissue.

Yeah... I didn't catch the flat knobs before, and I've never seen neck stamps like that either. Wiring work is not MFG in my opinion. I was wondering about the mix of slot vs. philips screws, but was sort of willing to look past that provided everything else was ok, but now I'm not too sure...

 

[Telekarster]

It looks like the neck holes have been plugged and redrilled.

Good catch! They sure look like that to me too. Hmmm....

 

[Boreas]

Yeah... I didn't catch the flat knobs before, and I've never seen neck stamps like that either. Wiring work is not MFG in my opinion. I was wondering about the mix of slot vs. philips screws, but was sort of willing to look past that provided everything else was ok, but now I'm not too sure...

If the price is right, it may be a good player. But don't pay Fender money for it. Likely the body is the only thing original.

 

[Telekarster]

If the price is right, it may be a good player. But don't pay Fender money for it. Likely the body is the only thing original.

Yep... that's what I was about to say too. Plus I dug this thread up for the OP. This is the sort of markings I was expecting to see for a legit AVRI neck

Help me identify this glorious neck!

Anyone recognize this neck? it was on a partscaster i had earlier and its like a choir of angels singing. it was listed as a 57 AVRI neck but im not sure that's what it is... this thing was buttery soft and the perfect V profile. i just found these pics and damn id love to know who made it!

www.tdpri.com

 

[olivierlehen]

Thanks to all for your time for all those info. It has been extremely helpful and I did learn a lot more on this model. I had a feeling something was wrong and put my mind before my heart on this one and was right to do so. It might be a great guitar but not at the market price of a 52 reissue. Great forum and great people

 

[Wildcard_35]

There's a chunk missing out of the end of the skunk stripe on the neck heel side. Seems a little janky in that regard. I suppose it could have happened after-market, but I don't know how.

 

[Slammintone]

Could be a MIM body. I would take a hard pass because of the unknown neck , wiring and questionable hardware.

 

[olivierlehen]

Could be a MIM body. I would take a hard pass because of the unknown neck , wiring and questionable hardware.

this is what I did, I walked away from the purchase

 

[jfgesquire]

Not to beat a dead horse but for educational purposes...

The shape of the walnut plug is too elongated almond shaped which means the radius of the scallop above the nut is too big. Look at the 12th fret dot spacing, too wide. The font of "TELECASTER" is wrong. I believe TL stamped on the neck is an MIJ marking. There is more but that's a start.

MIJ TL-52s get decent money on Reverb. They do sell better than Partscasters, but only when their pedigree is not corrupted.

 

[aging_rocker]

It looks like the neck holes have been plugged and redrilled.

Yep, I noticed that too. And the soldering work on the volume pot is definitely amateur.

It's a partscaster.

 

[Sax-son]

Yes! The plugged neck screw holes were a red flag for me. I think that part of the guitar may be legit, and the neck is from somewhere else. Also, the wiring harness is a little suspect from the pictures. Most vintage reissues have all cloth insulated wiring. There is black plastic ground wire that doesn't look kosher to me. Partscaster yes, original no.