Help identifying this tele

[zeppelinpage4]

Hi! I wanted ask for some help identifying this telecaster model. Serial number look up states it’s a Made in Mexico 2013 tele and the black headstock logo fits that. BUT what’s throwing me off is the bridge is a vintage 3 saddle whereas most 2013 MIM teles had a modern 6 saddle bridge. Also the finish is more vintage blonde than white. I know it’s not a classic 50s as the headstock logo from those were white and not black.

Possible it’s a regular MIM tele that had the bridge replaced with a vintage one? Or maybe it’s a classics 50s that had the neck replaced?
Pics below. Also can anyone tell if it’s ash or alder from the faint woodgrain?

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Close up of bridge and body.

 

[dlew919]

A bridge replacement is easy and fairly common. That bridge looks new. You’ve got a great guitar there, just not a monetarily lucrative one.

 

[Peegoo]

The wood looks like ash, based on the contrasting grain. A peek in the neck pocket is a better determinant.

 

[John C]

Hmmm - I'm thinking it's a neck swap and not a bridge swap. The body, bridge and other hardware looks exactly like the Classic 50s Tele I used to have. I suspect someone didn't like the Classic 50s neck and put on the MIM Standard neck instead.

Or it could have been put together from Fender parts from Stratosphere or some place like that with the assembler picking their favorite combination of parts.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

A bridge replacement is easy and fairly common. That bridge looks new. You’ve got a great guitar there, just not a monetarily lucrative one.

I see! That’s good to know. I didn’t know how common bridge replacements were but that makes it more likely then.

The wood looks like ash, based on the contrasting grain. A peek in the neck pocket is a better determinant.

Thanks! If I do go for it, I’ll try to look there first.

Hmmm - I'm thinking it's a neck swap and not a bridge swap. The body, bridge and other hardware looks exactly like the Classic 50s Tele I used to have. I suspect someone didn't like the Classic 50s neck and put on the MIM Standard neck instead.

Or it could have been put together from Fender parts from Stratosphere or some place like that with the assembler picking their favorite combination of parts.

Got it! Good to know my thoughts on a neck swap are possible. That would explain the finish too which doesn’t look like the standard MIM white one but more the classic 50s blonde.

 

[Solaris moon]

Nope! That wood is NOT ash - it's definitely pine! As has already been said that this has been swapped with a different neck. That body is definitely a Squire with a Fender Telecaster bridge and MIM Telecaster neck. Just be careful when buying off the internet. It's best to look these up to ensure that what you think you're buying actually is.