77 Fender Custom tele question

[blakejcan]

Looking at grabbing one but wondering how to verify it?

From what I've researched the serial number should be stamped into the neck plate. That sound right?

From the pics, it doesn't have one that I can see so maybe that was a replacement plate. How else coudl I verify? Pop the neck and look for a stamp? Check the wiring caviity?

Thanks!

 

[jeremy]

neck/body dates, pot dates. not sure

 

[Mincer]

Is this an actual 77 Tele or a reissue?

 

[Sam SG]

Im almost positive that on Stratocasters the serial number went from the neck plate to the headstock in 1976. And that first year it was not an S serial but started with 76.
BUT....thats strats.
Also Ive had several 1970s stratocaster necks( liked them for builds) in the past, I do not recall an actual build date stamp on them. But believe there were numbers stamped that can probably be decifered.
I do know the flatwork on strat pups had dates on um.
My memory is foggy im going back 15yrs.
I would suggest going online to the Stratosphere( they part out all sorts of Fender guitars of all eras) or through them on ebay and study up on 70s tele parts pics.
There were certain inspectors in the 1970s one being Torres.
write down as many inspector stamp names as you find in the 76 to 77 era parts( necks bodys) strat parts too.
Look for inspection stamp names Pickup dates, pot codes etc....
EDIT....now that I think of it....I Think my 1979 25th anniversary strat had a date stamp in the body neck pocket that wasnt really legible but there....but again 15yrs ago.

 

[blakejcan]

an actual 77

I just got the seller to give me more pics. Serial is on the headstock so I think I'm good!

 

[blakejcan]

Is this an actual 77 Tele or a reissue?

an actual 77

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, the neck should have a stamp in there. But you have to take it off to see.

 

[Sam SG]

Yeah, the neck should have a stamp in there. But you have to take it off to see.

Not sure on teles but almost positive my 70s strat necks didnt have a date stamp. Think there us like a code number and usually an inspectors stamp.
I know early fenders would have a clear date stamp on the neck heel

 

[Mincer]

A 74 Strat and a 76 Tele I worked on had a date stamp on the neck. And certainly my 82 Strat has one. If they did get rid of them for awhile, when did they come back?

 

[Sam SG]

A 74 Strat and a 76 Tele I worked on had a date stamp on the neck. And certainly my 82 Strat has one. If they did get rid of them for awhile, when did they come back?

I believe ya.
I just know the ones I had didnt. My 25th anniversary did have a smudged unlegible one in the neck pocket of the body. Not on neck tho.
I had 2 other necks for builds that only had inspector stamps too. Both were pre 76 no serial on the head.
But then again cbs was allover the place....I had a 79 body that had a gap the whole way around the neck pocket you could squeeze a quarter into.

 

[Mincer]

I believe ya.
I just know the ones I had didnt. My 25th anniversary did have a smudged unlegible one in the neck pocket of the body. Not on neck tho.
I had 2 other necks for builds that only had inspector stamps too. Both were pre 76 no serial on the head.
But then again cbs was allover the place....I had a 79 body that had a gap the whole way around the neck pocket you could squeeze a quarter into.

Maybe it was an inconsistent CBS thing? I can imagine not having consistent practices with a child company arm they don't care much about.