Tele Olympic White '68 help

[DaveMorse]

Hi to everybody, ok I did not understand the point of chomps about the neck sorry can you please reformulate the sentence?

Regarding the finishing I don't know if it is nitro or not since it has quite never been played.

I think it is an early 69 since there are parts in common with 69 and 68 production, in order:

1) Neck 3DEC68B
2) Neck palte 230023
3) no cable route and 069 stamp on the body but 68 shape
4) Pot dates 1966
5) cables and wiring cloth covered (not plastic)
6) Bridge '68
7) CRL1452 switch 3 way with plastic wheel
8) pick ups 6.4kohm and 6.3kohm cloth wire

The guitar was bought in the middle of the 69 in italy so I think was built in the very beginning of 69 in USA. Everything form 68 except body early 69.

Pictures attached. If you have curiosity you can ask I will be happy to take pictures.

At the end it sounds great and I have a fantastic feeling on it, I paid a fair price in respect the price I saw on internet for same specs tele (5k€ to 7.5k€), it is full original and sounds great, no noise changing the pickups etc...

Now a good set up and a lot of fun.

 

[Adam Wolfaardt]

View attachment 531926
I thought the change in value was more related to the change from nitro to poly finishes. The nitro finish on my June ‘68 neck shows the playing wear, whereas a ‘69 poly finish would not. 68 was a translation year from nitro to poly on both the neck and body.

You are correct. I was assuming that by December '68 all the necks were poly

 

[chomps]

Disregard my previous comment on the maple cap fingerboard. At first glance, it looked like a slab board, but when zoomed in it looks fine. The “slab board” was an optical illusion from the finish aging differently where is was exposed vs unexposed. It’s all good!

 

[E Baxter Put]

Beautiful guitar! Looks perfect and great deal!

 

[Wally]

I see a slab fretboard there. A straight-on shot of the butt of the neck would either confirm what I see.....but the curved fretboards are not that thick, ime.

 

[DaveMorse]

I see a slab fretboard there. A straight-on shot of the butt of the neck would either confirm what I see.....but the curved fretboards are not that thick, ime.

Hi Wally, it is a veneer fretboard maple...I checked, the paint bring you to think that is a slab but it is an illusion....follow the red line and you see the division also on the photo and it is a veneer

 

[Wally]

Thanks for the clarification. That nitro aging threw me...... and the color difference was weird to my eye for a cap..... again...thanks. Nice looking guitar.

 

[whoanelly15]

Stunner. Congratulations! Question: are those saddles original? If so, when did that style become standard?

 

[DaveMorse]

Stunner. Congratulations! Question: are those saddles original? If so, when did that style become standard?

Yes the guitar is all original. F tuners Become standard in the '67 unti the '74 this model (for as far as I know)

 

[Southpole]

The contrast between the aged finish and the finish from under the scratch plate is remarkable. Does any other Fender colour/finish change this much over time?

 

[dustoff]

Beautiful

 

[Wally]

The contrast between the aged finish and the finish from under the scratch plate is remarkable. Does any other Fender colour/finish change this much over time?

The yellowing is due to the effect of light on the nitro clear, and all nitro finishes yellow. Sonic blue finishes will turn to a hue of green, for instance. Blacks will exhibit a bit of a green, too. Gibson ‘silver bursts’ start out liver with a black burst around the edges....and they turn green, too.

 

[tunerfish]

Everything looks good to me except for something unusual about the maple cap neck. It appears to be a slab (flat bottom maple cap) as opposed to a curved (veneer maple cap). I have a ‘68 Tele and it has a curved maple cap (June 68 stamp). Any experts out there know what’s up with that? I’m not saying it’s not legit - just learning something new about Fender’s ways.

My 1968 Tele has a curved maple laminate. My very similar
Tokai Paisley has a slab maple cap.

 

[adjason]

that is a beauty!

 

[DaveMorse]

that is a beauty!

Thank you! Sounds great too

 

[pacealot]

Regarding the case, it looks like the same shape case that Syd Barrett had for his black ’68 Custom (centre pic on left):

 

[Dacious]

The contrast between the aged finish and the finish from under the scratch plate is remarkable. Does any other Fender colour/finish change this much over time?

Yup. You should see my c1999 MIM 69 Thinline RI - ten years ago it developed significant tan lines. Now the exposed body is russet brown, and the neck is going brown.

Here's my 78 Blond (501). I think this is a polyester finish. See the nitro on the fingerboard end? The headstock went like that too.

 

[Southpole]

Yup. You should see my c1999 MIM 69 Thinline RI - ten years ago it developed significant tan lines. Now the exposed body is russet brown, and the neck is going brown.

Post a pic if you have one!

I have an Ice Blue Metallic Strat that has gone a silvery green colour but the original colour is under the scratch plate. More of a sky blue. Must remember to take a pic next time I restring.

 

[Dacious]

Post a pic if you have one!

I have an Ice Blue Metallic Strat that has gone a silvery green colour but the original colour is under the scratch plate. More of a sky blue. Must remember to take a pic next time I restring.

Ok, dull day today - the shade under the P/g is how I remember it new. In bright light the area under the guard looks much lighter.

The neck was almost as pale as a new American Standard.

You can see where my fingers are wearing through the MOTS - no I don't smoke.

The colour of the raw wood visible in the f-hole and gouges on the body is slightly darker than the area under the pickguard. The whole guitar was once the lighter shade.

I believe this finish is water-thinned poly-u.

More'n one person has sidled up to me and asked if this is a real 69. I usually tell 'em it was Curtis Mayfield's......