Name This Axe
- Thread starter gordon_39422
- Start date
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Name This Axe
However, it's interesting the writing's in pencil.
My advice, check out other pictures of 52 Esquires/Teles (yes, they made 1 pickup Teles before 1954). Go to the TFF and the FDP and TDPRI and ask questions, post pics.
You may have something really cool on your hands, but don't get your hopes up.
Figure that's about the time that Fender was bought out...big_black said:
However, it's interesting the writing's in pencil.
My advice, check out other pictures of 52 Esquires/Teles (yes, they made 1 pickup Teles before 1954). Go to the TFF and the FDP and TDPRI and ask questions, post pics.
You may have something really cool on your hands, but don't get your hopes up.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Name This Axe
the red paint in the neck socket points to a refinish at some point.
the red paint in the neck socket points to a refinish at some point.
InstituteOfNoise
New member
Re: Name This Axe
I'd post this over in the Tele Discussion pages. www.tdpri.com
There are a few like a fellow named Ole Fuzzy that is as good as the Fender Tele Bible for information.
I'd post this over in the Tele Discussion pages. www.tdpri.com
There are a few like a fellow named Ole Fuzzy that is as good as the Fender Tele Bible for information.
gordon_39422
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Thanks for the links... I am surfing them as time permits... they are VERY informative!!!
As far as 85? I dont think so... I COMPLETELY tore it down, and I am cleaning **** from the tuners that is more than 20 years old... and the resistors and capacitors are WAY older than that... Not to mention, the smell... It has that vintage musky smell...
I will do more research, but I am sure that most of this axe is 1952... The logo was scrtched off for some reason, but you can BARELY see the Gold Spaghetti style logo on the headstock...
Thanks for the links... I am surfing them as time permits... they are VERY informative!!!
As far as 85? I dont think so... I COMPLETELY tore it down, and I am cleaning **** from the tuners that is more than 20 years old... and the resistors and capacitors are WAY older than that... Not to mention, the smell... It has that vintage musky smell...
I will do more research, but I am sure that most of this axe is 1952... The logo was scrtched off for some reason, but you can BARELY see the Gold Spaghetti style logo on the headstock...
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: Name This Axe
My guess is it's a legit 52, probably made for someone in the factory, judging by the paintjob. Like a one off, common in strats of the 1956 era. It probably is a genuine 52 nocater or esquire. It could've been a tele at one time, since they used tele bodies for esquires. My guess is someone wanted an esquire out of a tele, went out and bought them a new pickguard. These fetch about 3 grand in mint condition, so my offer to them would be about 900 or so. You'd have a real hard time convincing someone on eBay that it's a real fender, since you said the decal has been scratched off and can barely be seen in person. Not to mention the pots are newer. Great for the player, bad for the vintage collector.
My guess is it's a legit 52, probably made for someone in the factory, judging by the paintjob. Like a one off, common in strats of the 1956 era. It probably is a genuine 52 nocater or esquire. It could've been a tele at one time, since they used tele bodies for esquires. My guess is someone wanted an esquire out of a tele, went out and bought them a new pickguard. These fetch about 3 grand in mint condition, so my offer to them would be about 900 or so. You'd have a real hard time convincing someone on eBay that it's a real fender, since you said the decal has been scratched off and can barely be seen in person. Not to mention the pots are newer. Great for the player, bad for the vintage collector.
gordon_39422
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Damn Beandip... did you get someone to type that for you? Not the usual quick, fast, and in a hurry replies I am used to getting!! LOL!!
But I agree with you... Great find for a player!!! That's me!!!
I posted this info at the Tele forum, guess I am a member of YET another forum... I'll keep you posted... Meanwhile, if anyone else has info, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks again,
Allen
Damn Beandip... did you get someone to type that for you? Not the usual quick, fast, and in a hurry replies I am used to getting!! LOL!!
But I agree with you... Great find for a player!!! That's me!!!
I posted this info at the Tele forum, guess I am a member of YET another forum... I'll keep you posted... Meanwhile, if anyone else has info, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks again,
Allen
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Ah, I'm a fender man myself, look at the four axes on the couch...every last one of them designed by Leo Fender if I'm not mistaken!
Ah, I'm a fender man myself, look at the four axes on the couch...every last one of them designed by Leo Fender if I'm not mistaken!
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Merle Travis?
Merle Travis?
gordon_39422
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Thanks Mike!
Here is the update... I took the pickguard off just a few minutes ago, and voilla!!! The body was routed for a neck pickup at the factory. Also, from a suggestion by somene at the TPDRI sit, the red stuff on the neck socket is probably paint... Apparently someone decided they wanted a red Esquire and didtnt put the base coat down... YOu can still see hints of red paint in all the screw holes, around the string-through hole, and even in some of the deeper grain!
So far, the neck and body seem to be legitimate 52 parts, but some of the other hardware has been replaced other than the obvious ones....
This is good news for me, the player! That means I can mod this guitar without being concerned of diminishing the value.. It is already diminished! Like I said, I am a player, not a collector, but that doesnt mean I would trash a vintage Tele just because I felt like it...
I'll post more info as it comes...
Thanks for the feedback,
Allen
Thanks Mike!
Here is the update... I took the pickguard off just a few minutes ago, and voilla!!! The body was routed for a neck pickup at the factory. Also, from a suggestion by somene at the TPDRI sit, the red stuff on the neck socket is probably paint... Apparently someone decided they wanted a red Esquire and didtnt put the base coat down... YOu can still see hints of red paint in all the screw holes, around the string-through hole, and even in some of the deeper grain!
So far, the neck and body seem to be legitimate 52 parts, but some of the other hardware has been replaced other than the obvious ones....
This is good news for me, the player! That means I can mod this guitar without being concerned of diminishing the value.. It is already diminished! Like I said, I am a player, not a collector, but that doesnt mean I would trash a vintage Tele just because I felt like it...
I'll post more info as it comes...
Thanks for the feedback,
Allen
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Name This Axe
Talk to some people that are collectors, and they'll give you the scoop on what to "fix" and what to leave.
I just like old guitars. :burnout:
Don't mess with it- seriously. Look anywhere for prices on 1952 Teles that are boogered. You will boggle your mind. Vintage prices are going up astronomically (better than most any stock) and you will be kicking yourself harder than you have ever been kicked. I promise you.gordon_39422 said:
Talk to some people that are collectors, and they'll give you the scoop on what to "fix" and what to leave.
I just like old guitars. :burnout:
mnbaseball91
New member
Re: Name This Axe
So besides the pickguard, bridge, tuner, and one of the pots, is it all stock? That's very cool.
So besides the pickguard, bridge, tuner, and one of the pots, is it all stock? That's very cool.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Name This Axe
+1. Sell this baby, and use the money to buy the guitar of your dreams - or a downpayment on a Porsche :burnout:
The Golden Boy said:
+1. Sell this baby, and use the money to buy the guitar of your dreams - or a downpayment on a Porsche :burnout:
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Name This Axe
As the pristine and "less than pristine" example get snapped up, the less desirable ones become the only examples that are available, and people fight for them. It happens with all that stuff. 70's Les Pauls were big headstocked, skinny necked, lead weight heavy dogs- now people pay ridiculous prices for them and for some reason think they're good guitar BASED ONLY on them being 25+ years old. Some even pay ridiculous prices for refinished ones, or repaired ones, even boogered ones (like people putting in Strat vibratos :blackeye: ). To have a guitar that's excessively rare, as well as old AND highly collectable (not to mention a piece of history), it's irresponsible to mod it out. Get a cheap, good playing guitar made of good parts and go to town on that, don't mess with an old, collectable one.
As the pristine and "less than pristine" example get snapped up, the less desirable ones become the only examples that are available, and people fight for them. It happens with all that stuff. 70's Les Pauls were big headstocked, skinny necked, lead weight heavy dogs- now people pay ridiculous prices for them and for some reason think they're good guitar BASED ONLY on them being 25+ years old. Some even pay ridiculous prices for refinished ones, or repaired ones, even boogered ones (like people putting in Strat vibratos :blackeye: ). To have a guitar that's excessively rare, as well as old AND highly collectable (not to mention a piece of history), it's irresponsible to mod it out. Get a cheap, good playing guitar made of good parts and go to town on that, don't mess with an old, collectable one.
Last edited:
gordon_39422
New member
Re: Name This Axe
Dont worry, when I say mod, I use the term loosely... I just mean that I am gonna carefully replace the pup, and electronics, and probably install newer Klusons... I will hang on to ALL the original hardware so as to restore it to its "original" condition....
As far as I can imagine, this would not really alter the value, would it? My impression was that upgrading these components with caution would be no different that me taking the guitar apart to verify its authenticity. If I am wrong, enlighten me... I am definitely new to vintage gear, and can use all the help I can get!!!
Thanks yet again,
Allen
Dont worry, when I say mod, I use the term loosely... I just mean that I am gonna carefully replace the pup, and electronics, and probably install newer Klusons... I will hang on to ALL the original hardware so as to restore it to its "original" condition....
As far as I can imagine, this would not really alter the value, would it? My impression was that upgrading these components with caution would be no different that me taking the guitar apart to verify its authenticity. If I am wrong, enlighten me... I am definitely new to vintage gear, and can use all the help I can get!!!
Thanks yet again,
Allen
