Made in Japan Classic 60s Telecaster

[Deltaelectric]

Sorry for the late response...I just haven't been able to put this thing down...It's a piece of art...The "US Vintage" pickups, wherever they are made, deliver the "Tele sound" I wanted - plenty of lower string punch, funky spank and squealing highs, while the neck on this thing is the most comfortable one I've ever played. Intonation is perfect. The only thing I would like to change is the bridge (really crappy coca-cola can sort of cheap, "cloudy" material compared to the US models I've seen) and also get an ashtray cover for it when I'm not playing it.

Here are some pictures.

Can anyone tell me if Fender US-made bridges and ashtray covers fit MIJ Teles without TOO MUCH screwing around?

Much appreciated!!!

 

[Deltaelectric]

 

[electroman]

Sorry for the late response...I just haven't been able to put this thing down...It's a piece of art...The "US Vintage" pickups, wherever they are made, deliver the "Tele sound" I wanted - plenty of lower string punch, funky spank and squealing highs, while the neck on this thing is the most comfortable one I've ever played. Intonation is perfect. The only thing I would like to change is the bridge (really crappy coca-cola can sort of cheap, "cloudy" material compared to the US models I've seen) and also get an ashtray cover for it when I'm not playing it.

Here are some pictures.

Can anyone tell me if Fender US-made bridges and ashtray covers fit MIJ Teles without TOO MUCH screwing around?

Much appreciated!!!

Thanks for the update. Would you describe the neck as being on the slim side, like the old Teles from the 1960s, or is it chunky. It has a U profile, correct?

 

[blue metalflake]

Great job. Don’t rush to change any of the internals just for the sake of it.
I had an MIJ Strat for years before the pots started to give bother & I did a complete change of p/ups, switch, pots at that time.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

The OP hasn’t been on here since 2018.*

But, I have the same guitar. Probably.

The names from around this period are similar with slight differences. I’ve never been totally clear on all the various options / possibilities. He never stated whether his was from the “Japan Exclusive” range. I’m guessing it was.

Whatever, the neck is almost certainly what Fender Japan then called “Slim C.”

This guitar is basically a continuation of the TL62-US. Renamed after the company structure changes in April 2015.

Anyway, pretty thin neck. I get cramp after a while on mine. Which is why I got another Tele, also MIJ, but a 50s styled one with a chunkier V neck.

Pax/
Dean
* shows as “Last seen: Oct 18, 2018”

 

[DOC DYA]

As others said above Keep the guitar as is, for now. After a while, you might want to change a few things but the old saying "If it's not broken don't fix it" might apply...
I have a MIJ Tele Custom (2011) Ikebe Original (see avatar). Never had a problem with the electronics. The woodwork is amazing. The only thing I added on this guitar is the ashtray cover.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

As I (kinda) pointed out above, when answering a question from @electroman, it’s been five years since the OP (@Deltaelectric) last posted in this thread and over four and a half years since he last visited this site (while signed in, anyway).

He’s long since changed things. Or not.

Either way, he ain’t listening…

Pax/
Dean

 

[electroman]

Hi.

The OP hasn’t been on here since 2018.*

But, I have the same guitar. Probably.

The names from around this period are similar with slight differences. I’ve never been totally clear on all the various options / possibilities. He never stated whether his was from the “Japan Exclusive” range. I’m guessing it was.

Whatever, the neck is almost certainly what Fender Japan then called “Slim C.”

This guitar is basically a continuation of the TL62-US. Renamed after the company structure changes in April 2015.

Anyway, pretty thin neck. I get cramp after a while on mine. Which is why I got another Tele, also MIJ, but a 50s styled one with a chunkier V neck.

Pax/
Dean
* shows as “Last seen: Oct 18, 2018”

Ooops; didn't realize that I resurrected an old thread; shoulda checked the post date. Regardless, thanks for your info. It sounds like you are saying that what Fender Japan is calling a U shaped neck on the newer Trad 60s Teles is close to what they used to call a C shape. That's very helpful to know.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

It sounds like you are saying that what Fender Japan is calling a U shaped neck on the newer Trad 60s Teles is close to what they used to call a C shape. That's very helpful to know.

Ah, nope. All I’m saying is that the OP guitar in question has a thin C shape. Bear in mind, that model is no longer made.

I’m pretty happy with my own gear, guitar wise, and don’t think I’ve played any ‘current’ MIJ Teles in a shop (or at all) for several years now. So, I have no idea what the current necks are like.

Also, I’m not entirely sure, but I believe only some MIJ guitars are made for export. They may or may not be sold domestically and may or may not differ in spec from domestic models. Again I’m not sure, but I think this policy changes at times. Also, some music store chains here order special runs and I don’t know if or by how much they differ from regular production models.

It’s a bit of a mine field. Especially since in the last few years they’ve been adding and changing models more frequently. As I said, I’d don’t really keep up. Here’s a recent article that kinda demonstrates this.

Fender Japan trades wild builds for classy vibes with stylish reverse headstock-equipped Traditional Stratocaster

The latest limited-edition run from the Big F's Japanese factory will be available in the flagship Fender store in Japan, and features a narrower nut which “makes it easy for Japanese players to play”

www.guitarworld.com

Pax/
Dean

 

[electroman]

A mine field indeed. The one I'm interested in looks like it was issued for the Japanese market only. If I decide to buy one, I'll have to navagate another minefield of which Japanese eBay seller can be trusted to have the actual guitar. Multiple listings are common. There are a few that have 100% positive feedback with sales in the thousands, so they might be honest sellers. A few years ago Fender described some Gretsch prolines as having U shaped necks, but when I went to the store to play them, they were clearly C shaped.

 

[Petesie80]

Hi fellas!

The '62 ressue MiJ has been a particular target for 'modding'...mainly because it didn't detract from it's original 'used' value & in the owners perception...made it a better sounding guitar.

I bought a used one 3 years ago & leapt in with both feet & put a pair of Lindy Fralins in; yep a brighter & fuller sound but tbh I never spent enough time listening to the originals.

Recently I picked up this snazzy looking green one which has had a Gotoh bridge plate, Brass saddles, Kinman p/ups & controls & wiring replaced.

A '52 CIJ with Bigsby I stumbled upon will have no such skullduggery imposed on it...

 

[electroman]

Hi fellas!

The '62 ressue MiJ has been a particular target for 'modding'...mainly because it didn't detract from it's original 'used' value & in the owners perception...made it a better sounding guitar.

I bought a used one 3 years ago & leapt in with both feet & put a pair of Lindy Fralins in; yep a brighter & fuller sound but tbh I never spent enough time listening to the originals.

Recently I picked up this snazzy looking green one which has had a Gotoh bridge plate, Brass saddles, Kinman p/ups & controls & wiring replaced.

A '52 CIJ with Bigsby I stumbled upon will have no such skullduggery imposed on it...

Those are nice looking guitars. How do you find the neck on the Traditional 60s one? The nut width is just over 21mm, so do you notice much of a difference compared to the more common 22-23 mm? Also, is that U shaped neck profile a slim one or a chunky neck like the USA teles? I really appreciate you taking the time.

 

[Southpole]

Hiya!

I could be wrong about this. I live in Japan, but, as others have said, the info is sparse. Others please correct me if I'm wrong.

As far as I'm aware, the current Japanese domestic market has the "Made in Japan Hybrid" series and the "Made in Japan Traditional" series. Also, as far as I can tell, if they have "custom" at the end of their name, they have binding.

The 'MIJ Classic whatevers' seem to be, and again as far as I can tell, older models. They may also possibly be currently made for export and / or specific online vendors or chains.

I don't really know, but I suspect the latter, as my MIJ Classic 60s Telecaster was bought through Amazon Japan late last year and manufactured mid 2017. It was listed as "FENDER JAPAN EXCLUSIVE CLASSIC 60S TELE US PICKUPS" and came with "American Vintage '62 Custom Single-Coil Tele" pickups.

Fender do a good job of geo-blocking their website, but as far as I can tell, the current available Fender 'vintage' Tele pickups are either a "Pure Vintage '64 Telecaster Pickup Set" or the "Fender Original Vintage Tele Pickups." So, I don't know exactly what I've got, but I suspect the same as the AVRI '62 had. I have a sneaking suspicion the bridge might also be the same (on an Australian site it was listed as "3-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Tele with Threaded Steel Barrel Saddles" which to me at least suggested a US origin).

Thus I also wonder if this guitar is basically a Japan made version of the AVRI '62, sharing some but not all of the same hardware?

Did yours have US pickups listed? Or a sort of shield shaped US flag coloured sticker on the pick-guard?

Personally, I have no problems with the PUs or any of the hardware on mine. I also have no problem with the wee pots, etc. (it definitely has Japanese electrics under the hood). I've noticed a lot of comments to the effect that the first thing people do with MIJ / CIJ is swap out the 'crappy' pots, etc. Personally, I remain unconvinced that modern Japanese companies have a problem with inferior electronics...

Hope this was of some interest / help. Looking forward to seeing what you get and hearing about it.

Pax/
Dean

You mentioned Fender geo- blocking online. I live in New Zealand and this is a real pain. Can access Fender related websites but blocked from buying anything to protect a franchise owner. Even if I go to online sellers in Europe they say Fender won’t let them sell to NZ customers. Limits what I can buy.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

I live in New Zealand

I’m currently holidaying approx 45° south. I’ll still be here too, when the Hurricanes play at Forsyth Barr in April.

Anyway, yeah, Fender (FMIC) don’t make things easy at times. Their Fender Europe division got in trouble in U.K. / Europe, not so long ago.

Guitar maker Fender fined £4.5m for price fixing in UK

Firm admits to pursuing policy of restricting retailers from cutting online prices

www.theguardian.com

Fender faces class-action lawsuit over CMA ruling

If successful buyers could receive compensation

www.musicradar.com

Pax/
Dean

 

[davidge1]

"...this explains why Tower Records is still going in Japan. "

Actually not true. Tower Records in Japan was never connected in any way to the real Tower Records. It's a Japanese company that "appropriated" (stole) their name, logo, branding and retail format.

 

[takauya]

Actually not true. Tower Records in Japan was never connected in any way to the real Tower Records. It's a Japanese company that "appropriated" (stole) their name, logo, branding and retail format.

A quick research tells me you are wrong.

Tower Records - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

タワーレコード - Wikipedia

ja.wikipedia.org

 

[Southpole]

Hi.



I’m currently holidaying approx 45° south. I’ll still be here too, when the Hurricanes play at Forsyth Barr in April.

Anyway, yeah, Fender (FMIC) don’t make things easy at times. Their Fender Europe division got in trouble in U.K. / Europe, not so long ago.

Guitar maker Fender fined £4.5m for price fixing in UK

Firm admits to pursuing policy of restricting retailers from cutting online prices

www.theguardian.com

Fender faces class-action lawsuit over CMA ruling

If successful buyers could receive compensation

www.musicradar.com

Pax/
Dean

Ha, you are further south than me! I’m in Wellington, home of the Hurricanes.

NZ is a small remote market so things can be tough for the end consumer in terms of price and product range. The internet was supposed to solve all these problems.

The work around for geo blocking is auction sites like Reverb as most suppliers don’t have supply agreements directly with Fender.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

Ha, you are further south than me! I’m in Wellington, home of the Hurricanes.

Yes, saw that in your profile, which reminded me of the upcoming game.

Also home of that excellent project in a garage on Aro St.

Pax/
Dean

 

[Geo]

I bought a brand new Fender Japan Traditional '60s a year or so ago and it came factory with very good close tolerance CTS pots. The switch (Oak Grigsby?) is the same as US ones.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

I bought a brand new Fender Japan Traditional '60s a year or so ago and it came factory with very good close tolerance CTS pots. The switch (Oak Grigsby?) is the same as US ones.

Yeah, it's hard to keep track of what different MIJ models come with.

My 2017 “Japan Exclusive Classic 60s Telecaster USA Pickups”* came with a US made “American Vintage '62 Custom” set of pickups, but the typical smaller Japanese switch and pots.

On the other hand, my 2015 "Japan Exclusive Classic Special 50s Telecaster Vintage Natural"** came with Japanese pickups, but US switch and pots the same as yours.

But others, I know, came / come with everything made in Japan.

Pax/
Dean
* basically a continuation of the previous Fender Japan “TL62-US”
** basically a continuation of the previous Fender Japan “TL52 / VSP”