New telecaster: is it a real 52 reissue or a fake

[currang29]

Hey guys!

So I bought a new telecaster on a whim recently, the price was extremely cheap and figured why not - it plays great and no regrets with buying it.

I am interested in finding out more about the model though and how much it is actually worth so thought I’d see if anyone here knows. I was told that it is a 52 Japanese reissue from the early 90s but I’m struggling to find anything like it online. I have also been told that it was previously owned by the band The View front man and that all relicing is all natural. It seems like a weird band to pick if it was a lie so more inclined to believe this but have found no evidence of this

The guitar has a v shaped neck but no serial number or print to say it was made in Japan - from what I have read online this seems to be normal on the 52 reissues.

Attached pictures below, would love to hear if anyone can either authenticate this or tell me if it’s a partscaster. Thanks in advance!

 

[ElvisNixon]

serial #666? If your head spins a 360 and you vomit green pea soup and holy water doesn’t work, it’s probably real

The relic job doesn’t look natural to me. Especially on the right lower bout.

I’m not an expert on made in Japan Fender. If you got what you consider a good price and you love the way it plays and sounds, I wouldn’t be really concerned. Curious but not concerned. Just my.02..

 

[currang29]

serial #666? If your head spins a 360 and you vomit green pea soup and holy water doesn’t work, it’s probably real

The relic job doesn’t look natural to me. Especially on the right lower bout.

I’m not an expert on made in Japan Fender. If you got what you consider a good price and you love the way it plays and sounds, I wouldn’t be really concerned. Curious but not concerned. Just my.02..

Appreciate the reply, I was told that the neck plate was added later and not originally part of it and don’t believe this is the serial number

 

[ElvisNixon]

PS: Welcome to the forum!

 

[currang29]

PS: Welcome to the forum!

Thank you! Been a lurker for years but finally posted haha

 

[fenderchamp]

I'm sure the 666 neck plate was added by somebody because.. rock and roll!

The bridge plate is 60's style, so that was probably added.

The big steel saddles, I think are probably added as well.

I think the knobs and switch are 50's style.

If you want to know more, take it apart and find some pictures of some other telecasters that have been taken apart (reverb is usually a good source) and compare.

 

[Piggy Stu]

Pop the neck! Best evidence will be there and that's only 4 screws

 

[hemingway]

If it is real, I'd say that so much has been changed/reliced that it's possibly not real enough any more.

But it looks cool.

 

[currang29]

If it is real, I'd say that so much has been changed/reliced that it's possibly not real enough any more.

But it looks cool.

This is what I’m suspecting, from googling it lots of the parts seem genuine but hard to tell what is original

 

[mschafft]

My TL52s have serial number and country of origin at the back of the neck near the neck pocket. It might have erased in the relicing process here.

 

[Elusivesailor]

A guy on our Craigs List is selling a Chinese knock off with the Custom Shop logo. He's declaring it to be a fake and is asking $300. This thing looks so real that now I'm very nervous about buying a Fender Custom Shop from anyone except Fender.

FYI-I have real issues with him even selling it at all. Someone is eventually going to get burned. He should destroy it.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Burn barrel.

Oh, but welcome to the forum!

 

[fretWalkr]

The serial number is a hoot...satan's tele? LOL.

If it plays good and you got it at a good price, enjoy.

 

[RodeoTex]

I believe I remember reading the 52RIs had the S/N stamped on the bridge plate.
Four digits with a "." stamped below it to indicate that it was a reissue.
Even after the 52RIs went into five digit serial numbers they were still stamping the "." even though the originals never went past four digits.
Am I remembering wrong?

 

[rdjones]

Hey guys!
. . . .
I am interested in finding out more about the model though and how much it is actually worth so thought I’d see if anyone here knows. I was told that it is a 52 Japanese reissue from the early 90s but I’m struggling to find anything like it online. I have also been told that it was previously owned by the band The View front man and that all relicing is all natural. It seems like a weird band to pick if it was a lie so more inclined to believe this but have found no evidence of this

The guitar has a v shaped neck but no serial number or print to say it was made in Japan - from what I have read online this seems to be normal on the 52 reissues.

Attached pictures below, would love to hear if anyone can either authenticate this or tell me if it’s a partscaster. Thanks in advance!

The statement about relicing is self-contradictory.
"Relicing" is, by definition, fake.
If the wear is "all natural" then it has not been reliced.

 

[pbenn]

I believe I remember reading the 52RIs had the S/N stamped on the bridge plate.
Four digits with a "." stamped below it to indicate that it was a reissue.
Even after the 52RIs went into five digit serial numbers they were still stamping the "." even though the originals never went past four digits.
Am I remembering wrong?

You may be remembering right about US '52s.
Think this post is about Japanese '52s with Allen key height adjusters.
JMO.

 

[MelodicBend]

The other members here put my knowledge to shame but I'll chime in anyway. I played a few of that model and got to know them pretty well.

Let me get this out of the way now and give you a chance to brace yourself. I doubt this is a TL52 or a reissue.

Many people try to pass their questionable old Teles as MIJ reissues. Frauds, misrepresentation, and fakes are rampant. Condition also factors in heavily with this model. That said, I hope you bought it at a reasonable price and from a reputable source.

TL-52 is a very sought after guitar that is not very common. Not many are in circulation here or even in Japan. Fortunately, very detailed info and photos are available to compare. It's a well documented guitar.

It's very difficult to tell from the photos so try to describe the finish the best you can. It should be a transparent finish on an ash body. The ash Fender used at that time was very white colored and grainy. If you want to know for sure, unmount the neck and look for the model number and serial number on the neck pocket stamped onto bare wood. It should be extremely obvious. The serial number of the body will be a huge clue of its vintage as there were two distinct runs as far as I know.

Concerns:
*The bridge and saddles don't look right. Not traditional enough. Who would replace the wonderful OEM part here?
*No serial number and made in Japan screening on the bottom of the neck.
*Pickgaurd should be a 5 screw mount. Not 8. Never. That would rule out the Traditional I and II as well which are similar models.
*Finish looks too solid. Perhaps due to low quality and lighting of the photos so prove me wrong.

I could be mistaken on a fact or two, so not all is lost. Turn on a couple of extra lights and take a closer look under the control plate. Identity the pots and switch. See if the wiring is reminiscent of a Squier or Mexican model.

I would have felt a lot better if you presented this guitar as a 60's inspired model, but same assessment and advice above still applies.

Report back. Good luck.

 

[eddiewagner]

On my 52ri all the screws and bolts are with slits not phillips.

 

[Lonn]

My CS51 Tele also had slotted screws.

 

[yegbert]

The statement about relicing is self-contradictory.
"Relicing" is, by definition, fake.
If the wear is "all natural" then it has not been reliced.

First world problem: how “real” is a reissue, or its’ relicing?!