Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

[Evan]

Hey guys, so I've got the opportunity to get a Fender MIJ 1986 62 reissue telecaster for about $500 canadian. It is in sunburst and has had the following modifications/upgrades:
Pickups - 62 Custom Shop Neck and Nocaster Bridge.
Pickguard - USA with the neck pickup adjustment screws
Saddles - Brass saddles.
Harness - Fender USA Delta tone wiring harness.

Basically I'm just wondering what your opinions are on these teles and if this is a good price for one. Here is a picture:

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

GREAT GUITARS!! I would be inclined to own that. MIJ esp in that era is generally a superior build to the USA offerings at the time. A friend owned the same axe about 10 yrs ago. Really wish I had bought it from him.

 

[Evan]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Yes I think i'm gonna go for it. I've never really had much to do with japanese telecasters, so i thought I'd ask.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

All I know is I wouldn't sell, trade, or get rid of my 87 MIJ Strat for anything. I love that guitar!!! While I have MIA models, that I also love, there's something special about that MIJ, it just has mojo.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Those are great guitars and it sounds like that one has some really good upgrades.

Go for it!

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Every MIJ Fender instrument I have had the pleasure of playing has always been exceptional, I say go for it...

 

[Stef]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

make sure it's not a basswood (wrong wood for tele) body - if it's alder I'd go for it...doesn't look like ash in the photo

 

[Evan]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

How would I know if it is basswood or alder? I'm not very experienced when it comes to picking out the different types of wood.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

How would I know if it is basswood or alder? I'm not very experienced when it comes to picking out the different types of wood.

Without knowing woods you won't know what to look for but don't bother...Basswood Tele's sound just fine!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Without knowing woods you won't know what to look for but don't bother...Basswood Tele's sound just fine!

I figured out after a while that decent basswood isn't a bad thing. There's not a huge difference between good pieces of basswood and good pieces of alder. They're both in the middle of the tone spectrum, basswood feeling a little more "up-front" with the mid-range. Just a lil.
I've not heard of Fender Japan particularly skimping on the quality of their basswood when they use it so don't worry about tone.
it's easier to strip a screw hole in basswood, so if you're constantly taking things apart it might be a lil frustrating after awhile, but it's not like the pickguard's gonna fall off or something.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

I've got a friend with a MIJ light ash Telecaster, very vintage specs, and it knocks my socks off. There might be better Telecasters out there for all I know, but I could be very happy with that one.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

oh and those nocaster bridge pickups are somethin sweet. Best fender pickup I've ever used.

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

those tele customs are really awesome... totally on the list

mike

 

[Evan]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Just picked up the guitar today, this is my first tele so I wasn't really sure what to expect. The guitar has a great feel to it, the neck is a bit thicker than my strat and overall it is a really solid guitar. The nocaster pickup in the bridge really sounds great. I'm really happy with this guitar, MIJ is definitely on par with the MIAs.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

Nice!

I have the same one in red. Check this thread here for my project to upgrade it.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Fender MIJ telecaster opinions?

I have a 52 RI Tele. I upgraded the switch, pots & pickups. I put a Vintage 54 neck pickup in with a Jerry Donahue Bridge. CTS pots & a switchcraft switch. Its an awesome sounding guitar and it plays like butter. The guy I got it from was a Jazzer, so he had the frets filed just before I got it & the action was super low(I raised it up some) and it just has a great sound..... very vintage. One of the best necks I have ever felt on any newer Tele! Buy it Dude!