Is this real?

[kc99x]

He's counting on your desire to screw him over. Offer to sell it for him for part of the take. You both win if it's real and he losses if it's fake.

 

[ISmellSmoke]

Wow your co-worker is a real shyster. For that reason alone I wouldn't buy it - the scam juju is a turnoff.

This, times 10 !

 

[Surf Green]

Not a high price. If it plays ok then it's worth it!

 

[Full-Tilt-Tele]

Heck of a deal if it's a true Fender 'Relic'... Not so much for a 'Fake'... I'll come down on the latter.

 

[jdl57]

I am no expert. It's even harder to be an expert with low res pictures. If it's real, it's probably from 1953. A real '53 Tele is worth a lot more than $400. I would jump on it. If it's fake, you could be out a couple if hundred dollars. If it's genuine, you could be out $20,000 or more. I can easily imagine your friends grandfather bought it, probably used, and played the hell out of it, not being particularly careful with it, until he finally hung it up. It has mismatched screws, I can see him replacing them with whatever was available. Other parts were probably replaced too, this was a working guitar. His son inherited it, but didn't play, and he didn't want to get rid of rid father's beloved guitar, so it sat in the attic, forgotten. Relic jobs on guitars is a fairly recent thing. If this is reliced, it's a strange job, and the fact that the bare wood is evenly darkened means this is not a half assed job. The relic itself would be worth more than $400.

 

[Bluzzi]

I'm of the opinion that you should confirm if it is real or not. If its a partscaster then play it and if it inspires you then buy it. If not I'd pass on it and use that $400 for another guitar you feel something for. I bought too many guitars in the past only because I thought it was a great deal or a great guitar only to lose interest after a few days or months.

Of course if it truly is a real 50's Tele then you would be ripping the guy off because of his naiveté. Not sure if I could sleep at night doing that but to each his own.

If you love the guitar the music you make with it will be lovely.

 

[fatz treeboy]

Hey guys, I was offered this telecaster by my old coworker, he said his father had it for years in his attic and he wants to get rid of it. He’s asking for $400 but I’m having a hard time telling if it’s an actual fender. I haven’t seen it in person yet (I will later today) but I wanted to get other opinions on it and if anyone could tell me if it’s not a genuine fender.

Good advice has been posted !!! I would offer 150.... 400 is a weird number..... guitars are not easy to sell, especially one like this

 

[HootOwlDude]

Hey guys, I was offered this telecaster by my old coworker, he said his father had it for years in his attic and he wants to get rid of it. He’s asking for $400 but I’m having a hard time telling if it’s an actual fender. I haven’t seen it in person yet (I will later today) but I wanted to get other opinions on it and if anyone could tell me if it’s not a genuine fender.

Is there something in the guitar’s known history of it being caught in a giant explosion or dropped in a volcano? If not, I call BS. It might be worth $400, but then again it might not.

 

[VintageSG]

There are flags.
They are red.

Wipe the ruddy thing down, then close up pictures of the headstock, front and rear, the entire fretboard, the neck transition at the heel, the body front and rear - full frame and the socket will do for now.

It looks like a DHGate model. Doesn't mean it is, but fuzzy photos and filth do not an easy inspection make.

 

[Skeet-1969]

I haven’t seen it in person yet (I will later today) but I wanted to get other opinions on it and if anyone could tell me if it’s not a genuine fender.

Any updates? Or...

Mike B

 

[JustABluesGuy]

I don’t think they are coming back to answer any questions. They joined, posted and then ghosted.

 

[Rufustelestrats]

Unfortunately happens way too often.

 

[Wrighty]

testing the water as to his chances of selling it on I think. Could be just cynical Wrighty but something doesn't smell right.

 

[jman72]

testing the water as to his chances of selling it on I think. Could be just cynical Wrighty but something doesn't smell right.

Yeah, I might be cynical, too, but that was my first instinct. The whole "my coworker's grandpa has this awesome vintage Tele that's been sitting in the attic for years but he just wants to get rid of it for $400, should I buy it?" seems like a fishing expedition.

 

[coolrene]

Buy it, see what you get, play it and if you don’t like it, you sure can get your 400$ worth. If you’re lucky and it’s a vintage guitar (even for some parts only), then you might have done the deal of the year !

 

[uriah1]

I have paid more for partcasters
I wiould get it if has a good neck
Maybe you have a genuine 54ish too..which is a bonus.
However, if it is early..then...you got to fess up to the truth
and let him make a killing.

 

[Telenator]

You're about to find out how good a friend you have there. I'm not saying he's trying to burn you on a deal. No. It's a matter of what happens as the truth is revealed. Should be interesting.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

You're about to find out how good a friend you have there. I'm not saying he's trying to burn you on a deal. No. It's a matter of what happens as the truth is revealed. Should be interesting.

I have a feeling we will never find out.

 

[mabinogeon]

I don’t think they are coming back to answer any questions. They joined, posted and then ghosted.

Yep. Probably botched the relic job himself and came here to see if anyone would fall for it. If we did, some craigslist rando would for sure.

 

[ficelles]

I seriously doubt that's a real Fender or if obtained its wear naturally, but if you like the look and it plays well and sounds good that's not too much to pay imo.

Generally "attic find" for a guitar or "barn find" for a car = "pinch of salt".