Did I make a boo boo?

[UpstateDon]

Bought this 1985 MIJ double bound tele last month. Really enjoying it, but noticed that the binding isn't real...see pics. Is this normal, or did I buy a fake?

 

[ale.istotle]

The experts (I am not one) will need to see pics of the headstock (both sides), neck heel, neck pocket, bridge and what is under the pickguard, etc to advise if it's a real 1985 MIJ.

Is the binding painted on? Is that the main concern?

 

[UpstateDon]

yes the painted binding was my main concern. here are some additional pictures. I like the guitar very much...I would just be a bit bummed if I bought a fake.

 

[schmee]

The back of that headstock is wrong. Too rounded on the lower edge etc. Does the front of the headstock even look right?
The binding is painted on? Well, that's definitely a fake!

 

[Peegoo]

That's a real MIJ, based on those pics. It looks like the binding wasn't scraped after they shot color. That looks like a raw tape line.

 

[VintageSG]

The rear shot of the headstock looks a little 'funky'

Front shot and the fretboard would help.

Binding scraping isn't always perfect.

 

[UpstateDon]

The rear shot of the headstock looks a little 'funky'

Front shot and the fretboard would help.

Binding scraping isn't always perfect.

what's giving me concern is that in no place can I actually discern an indentation/line between paint and binding...like if I rub my thumbnail on the body...nothing catches at the dividing line with the binding. Fairly easy to do with my custom shop.

 

[Cyberi4n]

what's giving me concern is that in no place can I actually discern an indentation/line between paint and binding...like if I rub my thumbnail on the body...nothing catches at the dividing line with the binding. Fairly easy to do with my custom shop.

Wont they have lacquered over the binding? in which case I wouldn't expect to feel an indentation either

 

[VintageSG]

what's giving me concern is that in no place can I actually discern an indentation/line between paint and binding...like if I rub my thumbnail on the body...nothing catches at the dividing line with the binding. Fairly easy to do with my custom shop.

I can't feel a step on my CV Custom or homebuild twelvecaster. A craft knife scrape to the binding on the rear, next to the neck plate will allay or confirm your binding fears.

 

[UpstateDon]

The back of that headstock is wrong. Too rounded on the lower edge etc. Does the front of the headstock even look right?
The binding is painted on? Well, that's definitely a fake!

 

[TwangerWannabe]

Pics of the heel of the neck and the neck pocket on the body will tell us the truth.

 

[Jakedog]

The back of that headstock is wrong. Too rounded on the lower edge etc. Does the front of the headstock even look right?
The binding is painted on? Well, that's definitely a fake!

Looks exactly like the back of the headstock on the 80’s MIJ 50’s and an 80’s MIJ 60’s I had back in the day. I always thought it was odd, but that’s how they were made.

OP- that binding looks real to me. Just a little bleed from finishing that didn’t get cleaned up.

 

[NWinther]

Yep they look like that!

 

[Ron R]

I can't really offer any expertise on the authenticity of your guitar, but I will say: although I know it would bother you to find out you bought a fake, don't let it. If you truly enjoy playing the guitar, who cares?
Of course, I've never bought a guitar with concern for its resale value. I buy guitars I like to play.

 

[LowCaster]

I don’t believe in the fake binding. It’s Japanese, they make things differently.

80s‘ Japan Fender are expensive because of the hype but also because of the quality of workmanship, woods, neck, playability and finish, that are often very good. That’s what I see here.

Probably the Japanese workers couldn’t stand to let a visible indentation between the binding and the paint, or they didn’t have the practical experience for scraping, and they did it that way.

 

[schmee]

Looks exactly like the back of the headstock on the 80’s MIJ 50’s and an 80’s MIJ 60’s I had back in the day. I always thought it was odd, but that’s how they were made.

OP- that binding looks real to me. Just a little bleed from finishing that didn’t get cleaned up.

Yep they look like that!

Cool, good to know.

 

[BobbyMac]

NOTHING about that guitar is fake.

The back of the headstock is typical of MIJ reissues, and many original Fenders from the early eras.

The binding is legit, just a poor tape and scrape job.

You can be assured that your guitar is completely original, and a very nice one at that!!

 

[birdawesome]

Not fake. Looks legit to me. I have a MIJ and they tend to differ very slightly from the American and Mexican models, such that of neck shape and what have you. My 10/56V on my CIJ vs my Custom Shop vary greatly. Even differences between CIJ and MIJ, considering they’re different factories.

Hope this helps put your mind at ease

 

[UpstateDon]

Thank you all. Not sure why I panicked. I do love the guitar, it is a delight to play...sounds great, feels great, and some days have me convinced that I know prefer small frets.

I almost feel bad for questioning its authenticity. I'll have to apologize to my tele when I get home today.

 

[JDB2]

Great looking sister Tele, too!