Help needed about this baby

[Bluessbreaker]

Hello everyone. I would like to know the opinion of the forum members about this guitar. It's supossed to be a 52 ri, but pickguard, neck and control plate screws are Phillips, not sloted.... I don' t know what to think... Pickguard changed? But the neck screws too??... It's a 52 or a modified hot rod? ...The serial search in fender's database reveals a 52 RI... I'm lost.. any help, comment, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[GRAVITY-LHP]

I've owned two in the past. It looks correct from the limited pics. Having owned a few, the slotted screws on the PG for pick up adjustments etc and neck (loosen neck for truss rod adjustment - maybe they don't know the paint can key trick) can be a pain when you only keep a philips head around bc all your other ones use one (plus phillips is faster). I'd ask about the screws and if they were replaced (maybe he/she saved them). I think with this limited info/pics and the serial checking out (double confirm with Fender Customer Relations).. the screws were replaced and this guy is legit. it's a nitro coating and all right? If it's a special run, typically the fret board radius is 9.5 versus 7.25 and the nitro is a thin skin, and sometimes there are different pick ups like twisted tele or nocaster 51s etc... Otherwise, they are pretty much the same.

 

[Resojazznblues]

Found on a discussion on Gear Page: The Made In America '52 ri were built with slot screws, the Made In Japan '52 ri built with Phillips screws. According to Fender anyway.

 

[Bluessbreaker]

I just have some pics, but i hope to check it personally soon. I include the rest of the pics below. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Bluessbreaker]

Found on a discussion on Gear Page: The Made In America '52 ri were built with slot screws, the Made In Japan '52 ri built with Phillips screws. According to Fender anyway.

True. This was advertised as a MIA 52 RI

 

[GRAVITY-LHP]

Serial Number looks to be for a 1988 - Present U.S. Vintage '52 Telecaster, looks like a nitro finish. It all looks otherwise correct. Did you get a case and all the goodies?

I really think the screws were changed

Edit add: The control plate screws seem odd to change. You're gonna have to look under the hood, maybe the pickups were changed (and then maybe restored or something... looks for that). Looks okay otherwise (no headstock pics?). I did notice some unusual nitro chipping around the neck and body in your pics, the neck was probably on and off a number of times, or loosened and tilted (for adjustment I suppose)

 

[Bluessbreaker]

I feel the same.

Serial Number looks to be for a 1988 - Present U.S. Vintage '52 Telecaster, looks like a nitro finish. It all looks otherwise correct. Did you get a case and all the goodies?

I really think the screws were changed

I think the same about the screws, but i don't know why. Not my property yet. When i meet the owner i will ask about it and update the info. He afirms he got all the goodies..

 

[Bluessbreaker]

I finally got the guitar and i had dissasembled it today. Pics follow.. comments welcome gentleman. The neck cavity looks lightly sanded, cleaned... Just a shade of some marks and a little marker in one corner. Same with the neck heel.... One big T marked in the cavity under bridge pickup, and one bar code under the neck pickup. What do you think? Guitar came with original tweed case, ashtray and replacement six saddle bridge.

 

[Bluessbreaker]

Pics

 

[Bluessbreaker]

..

 

[blue metalflake]

Some pics from my 52RI dated 1998
Everything slot heads - neck, control plate, saddles, pickguard.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

Nothing is wrong with a modded hot rod, if that is what you have. Good luck with an answer bluessbreaker

 

[Blue Bill]

Looks like a sweet Tele, but it has had some "work" done. It makes me nervous when the neck and neck pocket have been sanded, erasing all markings. I don't recall ever seeing that T, in the bridge pickup route. The pots and caps have been monkey-d with for sure; I would ask for an explanation. Also, that serial number sticker looks like it's been removed and stuck back on. For the right price, if it plays nice, it could be a winner.

 

[Bluessbreaker]

Thank you gentlemen. After inspecting under the guard i'm sure it's not a hot rod, because the neck routing is for a single pickup. Not sure if the minihumbucker's hot rod would fit in there or if the routing is different.

The stickers with the code, and the T mark under bridge pickup are the same as the ones i had seen searching trough reverb website in 52 ri bodies, so i'm sure it's a 52 ri, but i have no answer for the sanding/erasing of the marks, and neither for the change of screws.

Why somebody would erase all the marks, and change the screws, but left the bridge with the serial number? With that serial you identify the guitar perfectly... No sense for me

 

[TelePlank]

There's another '52 reissue on Reverb for $1,995 with slotted screws. Jimmy Wallace Guitars is selling it. No affiliation.