62 Reissue MIJ

[Rythms1234]

Hi Tele Twangers!

I need some help identifying a "would be" purchase.

A left handed MIJ 62 Reissue. It looks genuine but I have found nothing online to compare the details.

The headstock has the "Fender" logo only. The base of the neck is marked (as per the image). 62 BL will be 62 sunburst lefty. Why TL with the "C"? The 3 way switch is labelled YM-30.

Any thoughts, experience or acknowledgement appreciated. Thanks

 

[The Eggman]

The stamp on the neck matches both my MIJ teles, I couldn't tell you what the "C" stands for, but if you google "TLC62B" you find other examples of 62 custom reissues with this stamp as well - typically late '80s to early '90s, which would also explain why the serial number isn't printed on the heel under where it says "made in japan" (On these guitars the serial should be on the bridge plate).

 

[blue metalflake]

The stamp on the neck matches both my MIJ teles, I couldn't tell you what the "C" stands for, but if you google "TLC62B" you find other examples of 62 custom reissues with this stamp as well - typically late '80s to early '90s, which would also explain why the serial number isn't printed on the heel under where it says "made in japan" (On these guitars the serial should be on the bridge plate).

My thoughts too.
Those MIJ 60’s re issues are good guitars - def worth looking at.

 

[AAT65]

IIRC the “Fender only” logo is vintage-correct - Fender used right-handed decals and snipped off the “Telecaster” bit as there isn’t room for it all on a LH headstock.

 

[Rythms1234]

The stamp on the neck matches both my MIJ teles, I couldn't tell you what the "C" stands for, but if you google "TLC62B" you find other examples of 62 custom reissues with this stamp as well - typically late '80s to early '90s, which would also explain why the serial number isn't printed on the heel under where it says "made in japan" (On these guitars the serial should be on the bridge plate).

Do you recognise the switch detail? YM-30? TIA

 

[The Eggman]

Do you recognise the switch detail? YM-30? TIA

Can't say I've ever paid much attention to any part no/manufacturer identifiers on the switches of mine but they are both different. I know one (with an off-white plastic housing) is stock, the other most probably isn't. I don't think this is a detail which will help determine whether it's legit or not, since it could easily have been replaced. Especially if the guitar is a bit older as the absence of the serial number on the heel would suggest.

 

[teleplayr]

Looks legit to me.

 

[InstantCoffeeBlue]

Yup, nothing to be concerned about here. Great guitars. I had one with a factory Bigsby. Original owner made an offer to buy it back I couldn't refuse at the time, but I regret letting it go now. IMO the neck finishing work on these MIJ Fenders has always been top notch - better than the equivalent USA reissues.

 

[Matthias]

My 97 CiJ originally had a YM-30 switch and tiny pots with green caps. I replaced it when one of the pots messed up, but the switch wasn’t actually that bad for that style of switch.

 

[scotabilly]

Hi Tele Twangers!

I need some help identifying a "would be" purchase.

A left handed MIJ 62 Reissue. It looks genuine but I have found nothing online to compare the details.

The headstock has the "Fender" logo only. The base of the neck is marked (as per the image). 62 BL will be 62 sunburst lefty. Why TL with the "C"? The 3 way switch is labelled YM-30.

Any thoughts, experience or acknowledgement appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I'm left handed, too, and have owned 4 MIJ Tele Customs over the years. That's what the C stands for, "Custom", and the BL stands for "Bound Left handed". They first came out in 1985. Fender Japan somehow latched onto the idea that lefties didn't have the model name, but that didn't happen on US Fenders until '68.

 

[Becks Ashtray]

What kind of adjustment screws are there on the Bridge plate saddles? Are they the standard Allen key type? Or flat head screws?
From your images look like a MIJ Tele - but the exact year? Do you have any other information?

 

[Dave_11]

My 1985 62 RI is marked exactly like that on the neck, except it has no "L" since mine is a righty. Also, mine has a green dot where yours has a red dot. I bought it new back in 1986, so I know it's all original.

 

[Becks Ashtray]

My 1985 62 RI is marked exactly like that on the neck, except it has no "L" since mine is a righty. Also, mine has a green dot where yours has a red dot. I bought it new back in 1986, so I know it's all original.

Is there a serial # on the bridge plate?
Are the set screws on the saddles normal flat head screws or Allen key type?
My MIJ 62 RI Candy Apple Red bounded Tele looks like a 1986 but from memory I didnt have a Tele in that year. I recall buying it new a couple of years after 1986. I checked with the Fender people online and they referred me to their website archival catalogs. According to the site, there were Tele 62 RIs made in 1989 as well as 1985 and 1986. So it could be a 1989 MIJ Tele.
At the moment I can only go on the Bridge Plate serial # which starts with an "A"
Cheers

 

[G.Rotten]

Hi Tele Twangers!

I need some help identifying a "would be" purchase.

A left handed MIJ 62 Reissue. It looks genuine but I have found nothing online to compare the details.

The headstock has the "Fender" logo only. The base of the neck is marked (as per the image). 62 BL will be 62 sunburst lefty. Why TL with the "C"? The 3 way switch is labelled YM-30.

Any thoughts, experience or acknowledgement appreciated. Thanks

If I assume the 62 Telecaster is a double bound body the "C" stands for Custom.

 

[dannyh]

According to the bridgeplate serial numbers on MIJ Teles, every single one was made in 1985. Its amazing!

 

[Dave_11]

Is there a serial # on the bridge plate?
Are the set screws on the saddles normal flat head screws or Allen key type?
My MIJ 62 RI Candy Apple Red bounded Tele looks like a 1986 but from memory I didnt have a Tele in that year. I recall buying it new a couple of years after 1986. I checked with the Fender people online and they referred me to their website archival catalogs. According to the site, there were Tele 62 RIs made in 1989 as well as 1985 and 1986. So it could be a 1989 MIJ Tele.
At the moment I can only go on the Bridge Plate serial # which starts with an "A"
Cheers

There is a serial number on the bridge plate, and if memory serves it starts with A.
The set screws are the flat head type.
Mine has the exact build date penciled on the end of the neck by the truss rod screw, so you may want to check that.

 

[Spazmodic1]

I believe TLC is
T=Telecaster
L=Left Handed
C=C Shape Neck

I believe YM30 - is the original 3 way Tele Switch

MIJ 62 Strat reissues have a YM50 switch

 

[Dave_11]

Here are some pics of mine. To reiterate (for anyone finding this thread in the future), I bought it new and it has never left my possession, so I know everything in these pics is bone stock. Even the string package shim is 80s vintage. Hopefully this will help others wondering if what they are looking at is the real deal.

 

[Becks Ashtray]

According to the bridgeplate serial numbers on MIJ Teles, every single one was made in 1985. Its amazing!

....or 1986

 

[Becks Ashtray]

There is a serial number on the bridge plate, and if memory serves it starts with A.
The set screws are the flat head type.
Mine has the exact build date penciled on the end of the neck by the truss rod screw, so you may want to check that.

I am told that a bridgeplate with Allen keys on the saddles were not made in 1985 or 1986 in Japan. Maybe in the years after that - 1988 or 1989.
The date penciled in on base of the Neck is ideal.
Next time I do a string change I take the neck off and have a look.
Cheers Mate