Classic Series Years

[McFly]

I'm scoping out a few MIM Classic Series teles lately. Particulary the Thinlines and the 50's models. Does anyone know when Fender starting producing these? I've seen them as far back as a 1998 model.

Does anyone know how the Thinlines or 50's models may have evolved, if at all over the years?

For example, does a 1998 Thinline neck feel the same as a 2007, etc?
I do know for example that 52' reissues have gone through some different neck specs over the years. Is it the same with Classic Series'?

 

[Tom S]

Can't help with whatever changes these models may have seen, but here's a list of model year introductions, culled mostly from Harmony Central press releases:

'69 Telecaster Thinline 1998 (Mexican production, previous Japan, but I don't know if there was a hiatus)
'72 Telecaster Custom 1999
'72 Telecaster Thinline1999
'50s Telecaster 1999
'72 Telecaster Deluxe 2004?
'50s Esquire 2005
'60s Telecaster 2006?
Fender ’60s Telecaster with Bigsby 2006 (Japan production)
Classic Player Baja Telecaster 2006

The dates need to be verified, not guaranteed for accuracy. I'm sure others will know one way or the other.

 

[Mark Davis]

The 50's abd 60's Classics came out at the same time the first ones were made late 1998 and showed up at the Winter Namm show in Jan 1999.

The 50's Classic Esquires were made in late 2004 and show first at the winter Namm in 2005.

 

[Telemarkman]

The 50's abd 60's Classics came out at the same time the first ones were made late 1998 and showed up at the Winter Namm show in Jan 1999.

I know this is correct for the 50's Classic, but are you sure about the 60's?
At least the Frontline Winter '99 catalog does not include the 60's Tele, and the "Guitarist" magazine does not include it in its list of Tele models in the april 2000 issue. (Mine's a 2004).

 

[giginthesky]

another ?. (sorry for using your post mcfly) is there a difference in neck shape and pups between the MIM and MIJ versions?

 

[Tom S]

OK. I thought the '60s Telecaster was introduced relatively recently, relative to the '50s Telecaster. I thought Fender introduced the '60s Strats at the same time as the '50s Telecaster, but not the '60s Telecaster (which admittedly, doesn't make much sense...but we are talking about Fender).

 

[nhojie]

The 50's abd 60's Classics came out at the same time the first ones were made late 1998 and showed up at the Winter Namm show in Jan 1999.

The 50's Classic Esquires were made in late 2004 and show first at the winter Namm in 2005.

thanks for the info!

 

[Jack Wells]

.... is there a difference in neck shape and pups between the MIM and MIJ versions?

The Japanese versions have a much more pronounced "V" shaped neck profile.

.....and let's not forget the period incorrect '50s Telecaster with B-5 "F" Bigsby. The B-5 "F" Bigsby was originally introduced around 1967. These guitars were part of the Classic Series in 2006. Mine was made 2002-2004.

 

[boris bubbanov]

The 50's Classic Esquires were made in late 2004 and show first at the winter Namm in 2005.

Thanks for the cup of coffee, Mark.
Here, I've owned a serial number 2004 MIM 50's Classic Esquire for 6 months and had no idea mine was real early production.
I must have been daydreaming on this issue.

 

[Mark Davis]

I know this is correct for the 50's Classic, but are you sure about the 60's?
At least the Frontline Winter '99 catalog does not include the 60's Tele, and the "Guitarist" magazine does not include it in its list of Tele models in the april 2000 issue. (Mine's a 2004).

I checked my records and see I did make a mistake. Thanks for the correction Telemarkman.

The 60's Classics were introduced in summer 2001. I got one right after they came out and the dates on the pics I took are 2001.

Fender also says 2001.

Model Name ‘60s Telecaster®
Model Number 013-1600-(Color#)
Series Classic Series
Colors (305) Olympic White,
(306) Black,
(309) Candy Apple Red,
(Polyester Finish)
Body Alder
Neck Maple, “C” Shape,
(Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Rosewood, 7.25” Radius (184mm)
No. of Frets 21 Vintage Style Frets
Pickups 2 Single-Coil Tele® Pickups with Alnico Magnets and Aged Covers
Controls Volume, Tone
Pickup Switching 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Bridge Vintage Style 3-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele Bridge
Machine Heads Fender®/Ping® Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Mint Green
Scale Length 25.5” (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.650” (42 mm)
Unique Features Vintage Styling,
“Top Hat” Switch Tip,
Synthetic Bone Nut
Strings Fender Super 250R, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),
p/n 073-0250-006
Accessories Deluxe Gig Bag
Case Deluxe Gig Bag
Introduced 7/2001

 

[McFly]

replies

Thanks for the info guys. Regarding MIJ, vs. MIM Thinline models, from what I've heard the Japan models have slimmer neck profiles whereas the MIM versions are truer to the original medium/thick side of a late 60's tele.

My main concern is about neck specs. If anyone has experience with a New Classic series compared to a 1998 original, has the neck evolved over time, or are the cut from the same 'template?'

 

[Mark Davis]

Here is the whole Classic series and when they were first introduced. Note that the ones introduced in January might also have serial numbers from the year before like the 1998 50's Classics that were officially introduced Jan 1999.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Name ‘50s Telecaster®
Model Number 013-1202-(Color#)
Introduced 1/1999

Model Name ‘60s Telecaster®
Model Number 013-1600-(Color#)
Introduced 7/2001

Model Name ‘69 Telecaster® Thinline
Model Number 013-6902-(Color#)
Series Classic Series
Introduced 1/1998* I think Fender made a typo here should be 1999

Model Name ‘72 Telecaster® Custom
Model Number 013-7500-(Color#) and 013-7502-(Color#)
Introduced 4/1999

Model Name ‘72 Telecaster® Deluxe
Model Number 013-7702-(Color#)
Introduced 1/2004

Model Name ‘72 Telecaster® Thinline
Model Number 013-7402-(Color#)
Introduced 5/1999

Model Name ‘60s Custom Telecaster® with Bigsby®
Model Number 025-6800-(Color#)
Introduced 1/2005

Model Name Classic Player Baja Telecaster®
Model Number 014-1502-(Color#)
Introduced 7/2006

Model Name ‘50s Esquire®
Model Number 013-1502-(Color#)
Introduced 1/2005

 

[Mark Davis]

OK. I thought the '60s Telecaster was introduced relatively recently, relative to the '50s Telecaster. I thought Fender introduced the '60s Strats at the same time as the '50s Telecaster, but not the '60s Telecaster (which admittedly, doesn't make much sense...but we are talking about Fender).

Your correct the 50's Classic Teles and Strats were at the same time also the 60's Classic Strats I had a 1998 serial # 60's Classic Strat that was introduced in 1999.

 

[Jack Wells]

...............and the '50s Classic with Bigsby. Although it was only available through Fender USA for about a year it was part of the Classic Series in 2006. See page 71 of the 2006 Frontline. It's still being produced by Fender Japan.