Reissue vs CS vs Vintage

Personally I don't want any of the options you listed.
I think the early reissues from 1982-2012 are nowhere near as good as the 2012-2017 reissues. The earlier ones have too heavy of a finish, off body contours, off neck shapes, etc. If you've had it since 2001 and its worn nicely then it's your feel and you love it. That's totally cool.
I've had a bunch of reissues from the 2000-2011 era and they all come up short compared to the 2012-2017 ones.

 

It sounds to me you're at the stage for a custom built Tele. Contact Ron Kirn or Bob Logan (or one of the many other fine builders) and have them build EXACTLY what you want. You get the perfect guitar, plus probably save a lot of money as well......WIN/WIN!

 

I have a 1982 V# serial which I purchased new all these years ago. It is a Fiesta red with maple neck, skinny neck, skinny frets. I friend of mine decided to give me a present in the late 1996 or so and replaced the pups with a set of Seymour Duncan's Texas Antiquity pickups which gave the guitars some balls but took some of the quack away and some of the bell-like tonality. Having " invested" in Fender Custom Shop Strats and Teles in the last few years, I came to to conclusion that those "new" old guitars are light years ahead in terms of tonality and therefor usability- and lot's of that is due to the Custom Shop HAND WOUND Pickups I deduced. So I bought a set of Custom Shop HW '69s wound by Abigail YBARA and I had those installed a few months ago. Note I have several CS's with Ybara and Campos HW pickups so I knew what I wanted to achieve.
The guitar is completely transformed into a fabulous vibrant, clear , bell, sustain monster.

So I am telling you this for a reason. Perhaps you should try to go this route and spend 4-500 dollars on such a PUP set and see how this shapes up for you. Just make sure you like the guitar that you are going to be using as a guinea pig because it's going to be a keeper !!

It's the red one in the picture.

 

Yes, so I have my SD 1994 Antiquities for sale because I found pups that are just WAY better. I also did this type of trial with one of my Telecasters. I had a set of NOCASTER CS pups that I put in a 1993 USA Telecaster..... I had the same results as with my Strat surgery. .. It's a HUGE change for the better. Good luck and keep us posted.... that's what these forums are all about..

 

"So just wanting some opinions on wether you would want a CS, Early Reissue or Vintage. Now I am sure most would say Vintage but my only concern with Vintage is if you start to play it and wear it down more wouldn't you lose some value? As cool as they are it just seems they are getting to be too valuable to take out and play on a weekly basis other than your bedroom. Also wouldn't mind trying a Masterbuilt, seen a few used ones out there that are pretty tempting.[/QUOTE]

I have a 2001 57' Strat AVRI that by shear chance came with Ybarra pickups in it, and I wouldn't get rid of it for the world! So, I love the AVRI's and I'm a bit bias on that. Regarding vintage - I'd say that if you've got the means then why not? Who care's about the value loss (which there wouldn't be IMO) They were made to be played so... play that sucker! You can't take it with you so... might as well have some fun I would Just get insurance on it and if something happens to it, you collect and buy another! Easy peasy. Shoot... if I could afford one, I'd get me an 100% original 52 and play that thing till the frets fell off! Can't afford one so... built my own And... I play the CRAP out of it! LOL!!

 

I totally agree!

 

I have a 68 tele that I bought new in Montreal that year for $280 CDN with the case included. When I croak my wife will probably sell it for $100.

Seriously - it will never be sold, goes into my Estate. Don't care what it's worth when I'm gone - Rock-out now.

Got an el cheapo Gibson Studio for club jam sessions - wouldn't want somebody to disappear out the back door with my old tele while I'm taking a leak...

 

I think Fender and Gibson Custom Shops are making better guitars now than they ever have. And that includes Vintage.

Master Built is a notch higher.

Big expense so go somewhere who has them in stock and play.

 

Great thread. I am weighing up between a CS relic and a American Original (i'm not really interested in vintage).

I am leaning toward CS relics because I really prefer the look and feel and also not having to worry if it gets scratched or knocked.

It always sounds dumb when you have to pay extra for the relic but its a personal choice and the customer shop relics are excellent.

So many great choices around at the moment - I played a couple of MIJ Hybrids that were exceptional. I'd be happy with one of them even.

Cheers

 

You can not go wrong. But.... widen your view and look at some alternatives. Check this out.

www.billnashguitars.com

I acquired an S-63 ... almost by accident. Is is so &*(&^^&& good , I just bought the T-57.
Here is a picture of the Straty-one.

 

If you got a closet classic or straight up NOS guitar, YOU can relic it yourself. YOU will be able to remember the first ding, the first scratch, the progression. You will own them all. “Oh yeah that’s when it fell off the strap at that show!”

If you’re worried about resale value... you’re more of a collector than a player...

 

I am definitely worried about possible resale value, really. If that is not in the back of your mind... it should.
I have a lot of guitars... would not be able to remember all that good stuff. But I do remember me buying a Ricky for $500.00 almost 20 years ago and selling it for $2K plus earlier this year.

 

What a beauty!

Nash Guitars are on my list. I like their relicing and lollar pickups.

 

If you mean relicing through normal use - It just takes me too long as I am super careful with nice guitars. I can't bring myself to speed up the relicing process - but I would be happy to buy one already reliced.

 

There is something different about a " HAND BUILT" guitar, builders have been figuring out tricks to get a better sounding instrument, it includes matching necks and bodies / woods, setups, thin lacquers, pickups that make a difference, colors and weights, choice of neck sizes etc. All of that results in a total new experience... assuming that is what you are looking for. NO more sterile sounding instruments and YOU the buyer is in charge. Delve into the YOUTUBE video's and listen IN STEREO what the guitars sound when some good player rips.
It now becomes easy to home in on an instrument you like, something that you feel sounds the way you want it to and plays like it is supposed to, great intonation, neck and all the other things that matter to YOU.
However, there is a price to be paid for that.. These specialists that build and set up these instruments come at a price and put their reputation on the line each and every time they sell an instrument. Each and every time they sell an instrument, they can find themselves being blamed for things they have no power over... like the skills of the individual buyer. You pay for that! It's the least you can do. So it is paramount you buy from the right builder or company. It's nice to have a live person on the other size of the telephone should you have a question. You pay for that!

 

Who can afford Vintage? Vince Gill? Eric Johnson, etc? Even if you could afford one that had not been re-fretted 10 times by who knows who and stuffed with non original parts, would you really gig it?

Late Fender Custom Shops are awesome. Very accurate reproductions with the addition of larger frets and flatter fret boards (in most cases). You can get two Custom Shops for one Master Built but, I would not turn my nose up at one of those either.

My CS '55 Strat

'59 CS Tele

DeTemple '52 Spirit (on par with Master Built)

 

they all make the same music.

 

Custom Shop sure make great guitars and are great value relative to a vintage guitar.

It's not so clear whether they are great value relative to the fender range, other builders or a DIY.

The logical part of my brain tells me they are not great value, but I try not to listen.

I find their relics to be alluring (and I used to hate them years back).

Trying to resist.