Fender 2010 US 52 tele RI opinions

[Craig Williams]

Had one of these guys pop up at a giveaway price, ex studio guitar 2010 model. In the original tweed case, still has paper work and ashtray cover. I have had a few of these but earlier ones. They used to come with a 3 and 6 saddle bridge as well as an extra modern electronics replacement.
Not perfect condition, a few nicks etc but generally excellent. Am I right in assuming they don't come with the extra bridge and electronics in 2010? Looks like it will be a straight swap for my Fender Deluxe Strat 2003, so I assume that's a good deal?

What are these newer ones like? I remember my older 2 or 3 I had were pretty thin sounding. What sort of pick ups did they come with standard? I know these 52 teles are a lot more expensive than even a Fender Deluxe usually. What extra are you getting for your money apart from a tweed case and the case candy (and the mojo )
Any advice or opinions welcome

 

[Telekarster]

Am I right in assuming they don't come with the extra bridge and electronics in 2010? Looks like it will be a straight swap for my Fender Deluxe Strat 2003, so I assume that's a good deal?

FWIW Sweet Tele man! I'd do that swap in a heartbeat if it were mine. Those 52's are super nice. I don't know about the electronics and extra bridge etc. but... I wouldn't care. Those things are easily bought and cheap too, so... not a deal breaker for me. I'd probably never use em anyway LOL!!

 

[Milspec]

Didn't they go back to the dark circuit on the latest version of the '52 RI or is that only on the Custom Shop?

I owned one from the late '80's and didn't really care for it much. It had a nice look and vibe, but was no more an accurate copy than the Baja series. Body dimensions were slightly different, tone controls, neck profile, saddles, etc. all slightly different. They should have called them "inspired by" rather than "reissues". But the latest versions are supposedly much closer to the original.

I am curious about 2 things: What is a "giveaway" price?; and is that case a G and G case or Fender classic?

I asked these questions because Fender has 2 cases that look alike these days, with one built by G and G and one that Fender imports from overseas of much less quality. The G and G case can run $200 while the other is a $115 case at best.

As for the price, I recently picked up a 60th Anniversary Limited Edition '51 No-caster that Fender produced in 2006. With the exception of the silly wood inlay emblem, it has specs closer to the original design than any of the non-custom shop reissue versions that I have tried. I have seen the '52 Reissues still selling for greater than $900 more than mine. I don't know if that is really worth the extra cash.

 

[Craig Williams]

What makes it a good deal for me is that I will be trading a US Deluxe Strat which I bought for around $900US, guy was happy with the arrangement and it was actually him that suggested it, but looks like he's got cold feet now anyway. Obviously got a better offer. Lot of messing around sending photos etc for nothing

 

[Telekarster]

What makes it a good deal for me is that I will be trading a US Deluxe Strat which I bought for around $900US, guy was happy with the arrangement and it was actually him that suggested it, but looks like he's got cold feet now anyway. Obviously got a better offer. Lot of messing around sending photos etc for nothing

Darn it. Man... I hope it works out for you. Good luck man!

 

[Milspec]

What makes it a good deal for me is that I will be trading a US Deluxe Strat which I bought for around $900US, guy was happy with the arrangement and it was actually him that suggested it, but looks like he's got cold feet now anyway. Obviously got a better offer. Lot of messing around sending photos etc for nothing

I hate when that happens, some deals only happen if you can pull the trigger immediately before they start researching prices and asking others on various forums. That would have been a good trade for you, but at today's inflated prices that Strat is likely around $1,400 street value. That '52 Reissue with some wear might be $1,800....maybe more with the case candy and if an actual G and G case.

This is that 2006 Anniversary model that I mentioned....I purchased it from the original owner who kept it in hung on the wall of his basement bar (still had the original strings on it) practically unplayed. His kid ran off with the original silver G and G case, but I ended up with a black tweed case from G and G that matches the quality. The deal was struck at $1,200 for the guitar. After tech set-up and new case, I am still only in it for less than $1,500 which is far less than any '52 RI I have seen up for sale.

 

[kuch]

Had a couple of those in the early 2000's. If I remember correctly both came with the extra bridges/saddles and pickup switch. Looks like a good trade if it's all original-pickups, hardware, etc. The bridge looks correct with the serial # stamped on it.

The only reason I got rid of them was the fretboard radius, 7.5 and the vintage frets. I tried but couldn't bond with it for that reason.

I moved on and got a 52 Hotrod with the mini hum at the neck, 9.5 radius fretboard, and med jumbo frets. Happy camper...... got a screaming deal on it too, well under a grand for it.

 

[Fretting out]

I hate when that happens, some deals only happen if you can pull the trigger immediately before they start researching prices and asking others on various forums.

The irony!

Do you think the guy with the tele did the same as the o.p except on strat talk

Ha

 

[mimmo]

I hope you will be able to close the deal. Unfortunately @Fretting out is right: sometimes the trigger has to be pulled immediately, asking on forums takes time and the guy can change his mind / rise the price / get a better offer etc.

FWIW I'd swap the strat in a heartbeat. Good luck.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

1950, 51 & 52, are the most interesting years for the Fender Tele body shape. First was the Esquire, then the Broadcaster, Broadcaster name axed. Then the Nocaster is supplemented. Finally the Telecaster name is introduced. Wow, all in three years.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Keep talking to the guy - maybe his other prospect will fall through.

You'd be getting the better end, by far I think, but there's folks out there who would rather have the American Deluxe Strat. Different strokes and all that.

 

[Mur]

Yep .. 52 RI are quite nice.

 

[Milspec]

The irony!

Do you think the guy with the tele did the same as the o.p except on strat talk

Ha

Yes, I believe that is exactly what happened.

 

[FuzzWatt]

I've owned three 52' reissues. A 2011, a 2013, and a 2016. I'm not crazy about the 2010/2011 models. The last version - post 2013 - was always my favourite.

 

[Minivan Megafun]

I've owned three 52' reissues. A 2011, a 2013, and a 2016. I'm not crazy about the 2010/2011 models. The last version - post 2013 - was always my favourite.

Yeah I've got a 2008 Wildwood Thin Skin version. Great guitar, but definitely not worth the insane used prices they're commanding these days.

 

[Twang Tone]

Had one of these guys pop up at a giveaway price, ex studio guitar 2010 model. In the original tweed case, still has paper work and ashtray cover. I have had a few of these but earlier ones. They used to come with a 3 and 6 saddle bridge as well as an extra modern electronics replacement.
Not perfect condition, a few nicks etc but generally excellent. Am I right in assuming they don't come with the extra bridge and electronics in 2010? Looks like it will be a straight swap for my Fender Deluxe Strat 2003, so I assume that's a good deal?

What are these newer ones like? I remember my older 2 or 3 I had were pretty thin sounding. What sort of pick ups did they come with standard? I know these 52 teles are a lot more expensive than even a Fender Deluxe usually. What extra are you getting for your money apart from a tweed case and the case candy (and the mojo )
Any advice or opinions welcome

Yes, the last of the Dark Circuit-wired '52RIs. I had one from 2009 (sn 66866) and it was a fine player. 7.4 pounds of sweetness, as I recall.

By August 2012, the "Pure Vintage" version came out, and they were modern wired as standard, without the polyurethane undercoat of the previous (1998-2011) version.

My 2009 still came with the vintage six-saddle bridge and modern wiring "kit" (a .22uF cap to replace the ic503Z ceramic tone cap). These came stock with Fender's Alnico III Original Vintage Tele Pickups - prior to 1998, they had Alnico 5 magnets.

 

[Nishplayer]

My 2010 52 AVRI:

The guitar was manufactured in March 2010.

Take care and have a great day!

Model Name: American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster®
Model Number: 010-0202-(850)
Series: American Vintage Series
Body: Premium Ash Body
Neck: 1-Piece Maple, “U” Shape,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 7.25” Radius (184 mm)
Frets: 21 Vintage Style Frets
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender®/Gotoh® Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Bridge: Original Vintage Tele Bridge with 3 Brass Saddles
Pickguard: 1-Ply Black Bakelite, (5-Hole)
Pickups: 2 American Vintage Tele® Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Neck Pickup with Tone Control (Bright Vintage Circuit)
Position 3. Neck Pickup with No Tone Control (Dark Vintage Circuit)
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colors: (850) Butterscotch Blonde,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
(806) Black, Disc. 1/2000 (1-Ply White on (806)* Black)
(884) Copper, Disc. 1/2001

Strings: Fender Super 250R, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),
P/N 073-0250-006
Case: Vintage Tweed Hardshell Case, P/N 0023637000
Other Features: “U” Shape Maple Neck,
Black Dot Position Inlays,
Vintage styling,
Synthetic Bone Nut
Source: U.S.
Accessories: Vintage Tweed Case,
Strap,
Cable,
Modern Six-Saddle Bridge,
“Ash Tray” Bridge Cover,
Capacitor and Wiring Diagram (For Updating to Modern Switching Circuit)
U.S. MSRP: $2,199.99
INTRODUCED: 1/1998
DISCONTINUED: 8/2012
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
WRENCH SIZES: Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench, (.050” Hex), P/N 0018531000, (for Modern 6-Saddle Bridge)
COMMENTS: Meguiar’s Mist and Wipe Kit Discontinued in the Kit in 10/2007,
MSRP Price drop from $2,300.00 to $2,199.99 in 1/2010,
Certificate of Authenticity Discontinued in August of 2006.
The introduction of the new American Vintage Series marks the return to original specifications with a sharper body edge, distinctive neck shapes and new pickups that replicate all of the physical and tonal aspects of the originals.


I love my 2010 AVRI 52

 

[Rufustelestrats]

The only benefit I saw with the newer Pure Vintage line was the thinner flash finsh. What I consider a benefit some consider a liability as the finish is so thin and brittle it is easily damaged.