Where was this telecaster made?

[HiHumidity]

I have a telecaster with the serial number on the neck indicates Fullerton plant 1983. On further inspection after I took the guitar neck off it is signed in pencil 1988 and there's a stamp of S Buehl. The color of the body appears to be something that was only available in 1988 and the serial number is on the pots indicate 1988. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

 

[John C]

It was made in the Corona factory. When the management team bought Fender from CBS in 1985 they didn't buy the factory. But after the initial sale they did some tools and equipment including unused parts. Among those parts were headstock decals with serial numbers from 1983 and 1984 that hadn't been used during those years. When Fender brought out the American Standard models across 1987 they made the decision to use up those headstock decals that were in the parts they purchased from CBS.

It takes them well into 1988 to use up these 1983/84 serial number decals; it seems like they don't begin using 1988 ("E8xxxxx") serial numbers until roughly July 1988.

 

[HiHumidity]

Well, that makes sense! Thanks

 

[Fenderdad1950]

I think the whole CBS thing was as interesting a 'days of our lives' soap opera, as on the boob tube.

 

[HiHumidity]

Well, that makes sense! Thanks

 

[HiHumidity]

It was made in the Corona factory. When the management team bought Fender from CBS in 1985 they didn't buy the factory. But after the initial sale they did some tools and equipment including unused parts. Among those parts were headstock decals with serial numbers from 1983 and 1984 that hadn't been used during those years. When Fender brought out the American Standard models across 1987 they made the decision to use up those headstock decals that were in the parts they purchased from CBS.

It takes them well into 1988 to use up these 1983/84 serial number decals; it seems like they don't begin using 1988 ("E8xxxxx") serial numbers until roughly July 1988.

 

[Killing Floor]

I have an all original 1973, the SN search populates to 2 completely different guitars. I also have a P bass, serial number search shows it is a Strat. Terrible record keeping.

 

[HiHumidity]

Well that's good to know and I guess really the only thing that matters is if it's a good guitar and it plays well and you like it!

 

[IanMoss]

Got any more pics?
(who doesn't like looking at pics of teles?)

Also, this thread might of of interest:

1988 (?) American Standard Telecaster question

Hello First post in this fantastic forum where I hope to become an active (if newbie, ofc, member) Looking at a tele that is: * serial number E 324344 * 22 frets * string through * "newer" style string tree * a "period appropriate" paper stamp at the base of the neck * with the name "E...

www.tdpri.com

 

[John C]

Thanks for posting the photos; yep, that shows it's a 1988 American Standard Tele made in the Corona CA factory.

 

[HiHumidity]

Got any more pics?
(who doesn't like looking at pics of teles?)

Also, this thread might of of interest:

1988 (?) American Standard Telecaster question

Hello First post in this fantastic forum where I hope to become an active (if newbie, ofc, member) Looking at a tele that is: * serial number E 324344 * 22 frets * string through * "newer" style string tree * a "period appropriate" paper stamp at the base of the neck * with the name "E...

www.tdpri.com

 

[jfgesquire]

The quickest way of telling if that 83-84 decal is really an 87-88 guitar is 22 frets.

 

[HiHumidity]

Thanks, so 83-84 have 21?

 

[boris bubbanov]

Well, that makes sense! Thanks

John C is right, of course.

But it makes no sense, even though it is the facts. This was just a weird, haphazard time for the company and they just did the best they could, working from day to day.

 

[John C]

Thanks, so 83-84 have 21?

Correct; Fender USA models didn't go to 22 frets until the first American Standards in 1987.

 

[Burlington Dave]

I have a telecaster with the serial number on the neck indicates Fullerton plant 1983. On further inspection after I took the guitar neck off it is signed in pencil 1988 and there's a stamp of S Buehl. The color of the body appears to be something that was only available in 1988 and the serial number is on the pots indicate 1988. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

I have such a Tele too, a 1988 American Standard in “Lake Placid Blue” (is that really this color's name?) with a 1983 label. My first electric guitar, bought in 1990. Love this guitar, I’ve played hundreds of gigs with it.

 

[Burlington Dave]

I even have the hard shell case too.

 

[John C]

I have such a Tele too, a 1988 American Standard in “Lake Placid Blue” (is that really this color's name?) with a 1983 label. My first electric guitar, bought in 1990. Love this guitar, I’ve played hundreds of gigs with it. View attachment 986819

This looks like the "gun metal blue" color to me. Nice early American Standard Tele!