NGD: 2020 MIJ Traditional 50s

[mackinawpeaches]

Picked this up last week via Reverb. It was surprisingly hard to find a tele with a 9.5” radius, u-shape neck, and vintage-style hardware for under $1000. I'm not sure what it weighs, but it's definitely on the lighter side.

This is the second tele I've ever owned, but it's been a couple of years. The previous owner took great care of it. It has upgraded pickups (Pure Vintage '52s), electrosocket jack, a new wiring harness, and a really nice aftermarket pickguard. I have some Gotoh compensated brass saddles on order and I plan on swapping out the barrel knobs for period-correct dome knobs.

The only thing I don't love is the glossy finish on the neck, but it's not a deal breaker. I'm really happy with it, especially considering what I paid for it (less than a Vintera MIM with similar specs). Glad to be back on the tele train!

 

[chris m.]

Congratulations! A little elbow grease with a Scotch-Brite pad on the neck can quickly take care of the sticky, glossy feeling.

 

[TelePlank]

These interested me. I wasn't sure if the fretboards were rolled at all. Very good looking Tele. Congrats!

 

[kinkstah]

Congrats! You made a great choice : CIJ/MIJ Fenders are extremely well made instruments. Enjoy your new Tele!

 

[acstorfer]

Congratulations & enjoy!

 

[Fendereedo]

Very nice hngd.

 

[electroman]

Beauty. Let us know how the pickups are.

 

[kuch]

HNGD! Nice tele!
Welcome to the forum.

 

[mschafft]

I have 4 MIJ's with gloss necks.
Contrary to lacquer I find they get smoother as you play them.
Once you clean them and polish them with a lttle Dr Duck's Axwax, they feel awesome.
I say don't scotchbrite that premium neck.

 

[chris m.]

I have 4 MIJ's with gloss necks.
Contrary to lacquer I find they get smoother as you play them.
Once you clean them and polish them with a lttle Dr Duck's Axwax, they feel awesome.
I say don't scotchbrite that premium neck.

Definitely worth trying first. Once you Scotchbrite, you can't go back very easily.

 

[brookdalebill]

Neato!

 

[Feck Studios]

Picked this up last week via Reverb. It was surprisingly hard to find a tele with a 9.5” radius, u-shape neck, and vintage-style hardware for under $1000. I'm not sure what it weighs, but it's definitely on the lighter side.

This is the second tele I've ever owned, but it's been a couple of years. The previous owner took great care of it. It has upgraded pickups (Pure Vintage '52s), electrosocket jack, a new wiring harness, and a really nice aftermarket pickguard. I have some Gotoh compensated brass saddles on order and I plan on swapping out the barrel knobs for period-correct dome knobs.

The only thing I don't love is the glossy finish on the neck, but it's not a deal breaker. I'm really happy with it, especially considering what I paid for it (less than a Vintera MIM with similar specs). Glad to be back on the tele train!

Nice one. Looks like a keeper.

Disagree though, gloss necks all the way as far as I'm concerned haha

 

[mackinawpeaches]

Nice one. Looks like a keeper.

Disagree though, gloss necks all the way as far as I'm concerned haha

Thanks. Definitely a keeper!

I go back and forth on the scotch brite. I have naturally sweaty hands so the gloss neck can get pretty sticky, but I'm kind of afraid to mess with the finish.