Impressions of new Japanese Telecaster

electroman

Tele-Meister
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Nov 1, 2012
Posts
151
Location
Toronto, Ontario
The local guitar store in this neighbourhood, The 12th Fret, has finally reopened for people to come in and browse. The experience of just dropping in and playing whatever cool guitars happen to be on the racks was greatly missed during the pandemic. Lately, while visiting a few stores, I've been playing a cross section of Teles to see what feels right; so many variations now compared to the 1990s when a Tele was the main guitar for me. The short of it is, although I own two parts Teles, the move back from Gretsches has been a process, and the idea of a new, stock Tele, right off the rack is appealing.

Others might scoff, but here goes: The ones that felt the best were the lightest ones with necks on the slim side of the spectrum. Electronics, pickups, and hardware aside, best for me were the Squires, until today. The 12th Fret has a

JV Modified '60s Custom Telecaster​

made in Japan. The 'firemist gold' is not for me, but the neck felt great, with its 'soft V profile'. The body was basswood, so very light and VERY resonant. If it was a trad vintage white I would have walked out with it. Pickups sounded fine, trad bridge, and Kluson tuners, which is what god intended for Teles. :) There is some kind of coil phasing switching options, which are of no interest to me, but everything else, except for the colour, was it.

Now I'm curious about the current made in Japan 'Traditional 60s Telecaster'. The colour is right, still has a basswood body; very similar to the JV Modified 60s tele, but it has a U neck profile. I don't know what that is exactly, so I'll be keeping an eye out for one locdally, just so I can see how it feels by comparison. Now that I think of it, back in the early 1990s when I bought a Tele, the same process of playing all the Teles in local stores led me to a Japanese Fender Telecaster. This could be deja vu, all over again.:)
 

Southpole

Tele-Afflicted
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Apr 10, 2014
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1,122
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WellingtonNZ
Love my JV 60s modified Tele. I like Firemist Gold but I think this model only comes in one other finish - cream with gold pickguard. Only thing I’m not sure about is the vintage locking tuners. Hadn’t encountered these before, quite different than normal.
 

Jakedog

Telefied
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Mar 26, 2003
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24,516
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The North Coast
The current crop of MIJ instruments are by far and away Fender’s highest quality production guitars in years. The JV guitars are amazing, and my Boxer Tele is perfection. I want to get one of the limited edition “International Color” teles before the end of the year. Fender Japan just has it going on right now.

And I really dig that Firemist Gold. Super sweet color. If I ever see another Tele in any shade of blonde or sunburst, it’ll be too soon.
 
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electroman

Tele-Meister
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Nov 1, 2012
Posts
151
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Glad you guys concur. Maybe I could get used to the firemist gold; just have my mind on a trad lookung vintage white (cream?) with rosewood fingerboard. Based on the Fender neck profile illustrations, I don't think I would be comfortable with the U shaped neck on the newer 'Traditional 60s Telecaster' though. Of course there's always the rasp file and sandpaper.:)
 

sloppychops

Friend of Leo's
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Nov 16, 2010
Posts
2,587
Location
wisconsin
That double bound Firemist Gold is gorgeous. I tried one out briefly last week, unplugged, and it's a nice, light guitar. I wasn't too thrilled with the feel of the neck, but the rosewood on it was really nice and dark.

I'm interested in the blue International Colors Tele that will be released sometime soon.
 

Tiago

TDPRI Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2019
Posts
60
Location
Strasbourg, France
Not a Tele but I have a vintage specced 50s Strat with the U neck (9.5”, vintage frets). Absolutely the most comfortable neck I’ve ever played, and that includes a vintage Gibson, Ibanez Wizards (multiple) and a Strandberg (which is odd but rather comfy).
Build is somewhat similar, wood-wise, if that matters to you. The guitar is light, sounds great, stays in tune amazingly well, and has been my no. 1 since I bought it nearly two years ago.
 

UPtele

Tele-Meister
Joined
Apr 14, 2020
Posts
477
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49
Location
MI
The traditional 60s tele in translucent pink almost got me

Beautiful guitar. I've never tried a U shaped neck tho
 

tubedude

Tele-Afflicted
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Jul 26, 2013
Posts
1,766
Location
east georgia
A U or a fat C profile helps if you have big hands. I ordered a soft V thinking it would help as I have gorilla paws. The soft V wasn't thicker to make the V. They just shaved away the shoulders of a D profile to get the V. It was an expensive special order so I'm trying to play it anyway. At least the neck is wider at 1.75". 😒
 

Jakedog

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Mar 26, 2003
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Most of the US 50’s spec guitars over the years have been U necks. Everyone seems to like them. I’m a fan. But I’m not picky about neck shape at all. As long as it’s not super yard-stick thin I can get along with just about anything.

My bigger issue is radius. With the exception of my Silver Sky I’ve never gotten along with a 7.25, so it’s nice to see the MIJ stuff all coming out lately at 9.5 or bigger.
 

brenn

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Dec 8, 2013
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1,741
Location
Kentucky
Only thing I’m not sure about is the vintage locking tuners. Hadn’t encountered these before, quite different than normal.
I love those. Put them on anything I build and most things I buy. Saves me remembering where to but the strings for slotted vintage tuners.
 
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