Candy Apple Red MIJ Telecaster (2015) body wood? Also, Vibramate, anyone?

[Flyboy]

So, I've been looking for MIJ CAR Tele with a Bigsby at the price point I want to pay, and one has come up on the radar. It's double-bound TL62-B, and despite it not having a Bigsby I am quite keen on it. The seller says the body is Alder, and it should be for that year, but is there a possibility it could be Basswood? I've heard a few stories about Basswood being used in MIJ Fenders and I want to keep away from Basswood, for personal reasons.

Additionally, since this one doesn't have a Bigsby, is it worth me putting a Vibramate on this guitar? Or just get a Bigsby B5 installed? And has anyone noticed a tonal difference in a Tele with a Vibramate installed, as to a straight Bigsby mount?

 

[Boreas]

I can't speak to the difference in tone between between Vibramate and non-Vibramate as I never considered one. A well-mounted B5 (not a "licensed" B50) or better yet, an F-logo B5 on a Tele, is not something I would ever consider removing. If you use the Fender conversion plate and Jazzmaster rocker bridge, you will be keeping with how Fender does it. And save the cost of the Vibramate and pick up a quality strap and a Reverend "squishy" spring!

 

[Flyboy]

Did a bit more research and decided not to go with the Vibramate, because it could potentially leave mounting marks in the finish and, more importantly, it acts like a shim, raising the strings and lowering the break angle.

I discovered a beast called the Vega Trem, but I think the Tele version looks hideous. It'll be the B5 if I snag this Tele.

 

[balston11]

Lots of TL62B models from that era are Basswood some are Alder without the exact model or internal pictures you can't tell unless the finish shows the grain

 

[Shorty Medlock]

If you are concerned basswood isn't really made from a bass... I mean the fish not the 4 string geetar.

Now I'm confused...

 

[fenderchamp]

If you are concerned basswood isn't really made from a bass... I mean the fish not the 4 string geetar.

Now I'm confused...

Basswood is made from bass guitars, and all this time I thought it was made from the fish? You learn something new every day.

Basswood has been complained about because I've heard that sometimes Floyd Rose vibrato posts pull out of it at. They were making a lot of cheap basswood super strats in the late 80's early 90s, so who knows how punky some of that wood might have been.

I don't think I'd worry about it so much with a tele bridge though, it's certainly harder than some of the pine bodies which I've personally never had any problems with either.

 

[Flyboy]

Lots of TL62B models from that era are Basswood some are Alder without the exact model or internal pictures you can't tell unless the finish shows the grain

Even from 2015? That's my worry.

 

[JPW2105]

Most MIJ CAR Teles from around 2015 should be alder, but yeah, Fender Japan has been known to throw in basswood here and there, so it’s not a bad idea to double-check if you can. Maybe ask for a pic of the neck pocket if the seller’s cool with it?

 

[balston11]

Most MIJ CAR Teles from around 2015 should be alder, but yeah, Fender Japan has been known to throw in basswood here and there, so it’s not a bad idea to double-check if you can. Maybe ask for a pic of the neck pocket if the seller’s cool with it?

The TX BTX and US models are Alder these are the catalogued models but there are Basswood ones about you need to see the inside of the neck pocket and the detached neck markings

 

[Boreas]

Did a bit more research and decided not to go with the Vibramate, because it could potentially leave mounting marks in the finish and, more importantly, it acts like a shim, raising the strings and lowering the break angle.

I discovered a beast called the Vega Trem, but I think the Tele version looks hideous. It'll be the B5 if I snag this Tele.

If you do, see if you can track down an F-logo version. Very snazzy!

If it indeed turns out to be basswood, you may want to take special care with the mounting screws. Perhaps drill slightly smaller pilot holes and reinforce them with glue upon final insertion. Also make sure the frame lays flat on the body BEFORE tightening. Sometimes they are warped a little before they are screwed down. If this is the case, it can put undue stress on the threads in the wood and the screw may strip the softer wood at the high spot. And take care not to overtighten! They don't need much torque to hold in place.

 

[Flyboy]

If you do, see if you can track down an F-logo version. Very snazzy!

If it indeed turns out to be basswood, you may want to take special care with the mounting screws. Perhaps drill slightly smaller pilot holes and reinforce them with glue upon final insertion. Also make sure the frame lays flat on the body BEFORE tightening. Sometimes they are warped a little before they are screwed down. If this is the case, it can put undue stress on the threads in the wood and the screw may strip the softer wood at the high spot. And take care not to overtighten! They don't need much torque to hold in place.

I've never seen an F-logo in the wild; they're all in situ on a Tele.

Guy tells me it's defo Alder.

 

[Boreas]

I've never seen an F-logo in the wild; they're all in situ on a Tele.

Guy tells me it's defo Alder.

They are readily available aftermarket. I think they are available singly or as the kit.

 

[Flyboy]

Aanndd...it's gone. No longer available.

Another time....

 

[Flyboy]

Wait!! Incoming.....

 

[Flyboy]

YAASS!! Relisted and purchased!! Ya dancer!!

 

[Flyboy]

Well, here she is. The sole owner swapped the pups out for American Vintage, and put in brass saddles.

I've decided she's too nice to put a Bigsby on. But I have one tiny gripe, and that's the neck profile. But I can live with it.

This one's a keeper.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Congrats !

By the way - wood-wise - I had an MIJ SQ Squier (83-84 , right after the celebrated JV Squiers) that had a body made of Sen. Japanese Ash apparently . It was fine. Maple board. Semi translucent blonde-ish

The most factory rolled-over fretboard edges I’ve ever seen also.

It was really good but not spectacular all around. I got out of with a profit . All that matters !

 

[Flyboy]

The neck is not as slim as the one on a CV Strat I had a few years ago, when I fancied getting back into Strats. It was ruler thin. And the trem felt like toffee. The body was light, felt like a toy. I wouldn't buy a Squire again.

I got this for several hundred Pounds less than they seem to float for on Reverb. Absolutely love it!

 

[superbadj]

That red sure is pretty. I have its sister (in CAR) as well as a black and burst examples. Great guitars!

 

[Jakedog]

Basswood is made from bass guitars, and all this time I thought it was made from the fish? You learn something new every day.

Basswood has been complained about because I've heard that sometimes Floyd Rose vibrato posts pull out of it at. They were making a lot of cheap basswood super strats in the late 80's early 90s, so who knows how punky some of that wood might have been.

I don't think I'd worry about it so much with a tele bridge though, it's certainly harder than some of the pine bodies which I've personally never had any problems with either.

Both my main gig work horses are MIJ Fenders with Basswood bodies. I love them. I’m a fan. I also had loads of 80’s and early 90’s guitars made by Fender, Jackson, Charvel, and Ibanez with poplar or basswood bodies. I personally love that people think they’re inferior. More for me at good prices.

Japan has been making great guitars out of basswood for forever. Steve Vai’s Jems are basswood. Those are not cheap guitars. The MIA James Burton sig Tele is basswood. Lots of nice electric guitars are made with basswood.

I’ve heard stories of stuff pulling out of them forever. I think it’s largely BS, or abuse. I’m not easy on my stuff. It gets gigged like mad in all kinds of conditions. The only screws I’ve ever pulled out of any body are strap buttons, and I’ve had that happen with everything. Basswood, ash, mahogany, poplar, alder, all of them. It stopped happening when I stopped using strap locks. YMMV.

I love a CAR Tele! I say go for it.