NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

[cayle_6]

I stumbled upon this early 90s Fernandes telecaster. I think this is a Japan only model since the headstock is still similar to the Fender headstock. The seller, a friend of mine, offered it to me for a price I could not resist. There are a few dings, and chips on the sides but not on the top nor at the back of the guitar. Solid ash body and maple neck. Frets are still in great shape. Man, this thing is just a joy to play.

:friday:

 

[saladin]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Very nice!!!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Very nice....I own one of the Japan made LE2 series strats...It's a really nice sunburst and dead on copy of a 62 strat,except for the headstock shape..Great guitar though and I payed $200 for mine and it was several years ago.Mine is basswood body,but your's looks like ash..

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Nice score ! That should be a really really excellent instrument. I'm not sure what the pickups would be like, but they're easily changed. But overall I'd be surprised if it's not as good as at least 80% of the Fenders from the last 30 years.

Enjoy that baby in good health !

 

[cayle_6]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Yep, the body is solid ash, not sure how many pieces there are in that body, but I'm not realy that particular in how many pieces a body should have.

I've been wanting to score a Fernandes strat as well, but there are only a few that come out from our local classified ads, and most are not really in the same condition as this telecaster.

I've been doing some research and it looks like my telecaster is a Fernandes TE1, for the Japanese market. Looks like a 70s tele rather than a 50s, due to the 2 string trees.

Nice score ! That should be a really really excellent instrument. I'm not sure what the pickups would be like, but they're easily changed. But overall I'd be surprised if it's not as good as at least 80% of the Fenders from the last 30 years.

Enjoy that baby in good health !

Thanks! The pickups are great. I don't think I'll be swapping them for the mean time. I'll just replace the pots and switch.

I tried this side by side with a Fender GE Smith telecaster, and a Bogner Duende combo. This Fernandes tele was more twangy, to me it sounded like how a telecaster should. The GE Smith was really fat sounding, perfect for blues.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Are they steel saddles ? If they are, you could always experiment by trying some brass ones and seeing which you prefer. (of course if they ARE brass, you could try steel...)

It doesn't surprise me that the pickups are good. That just makes the deal even sweeter.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

very cool.

 

[cayle_6]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

Are they steel saddles ? If they are, you could always experiment by trying some brass ones and seeing which you prefer. (of course if they ARE brass, you could try steel...)

It doesn't surprise me that the pickups are good. That just makes the deal even sweeter.

How would I know if they are brass or steel? But I feel that they are steel saddles, mainly due to the color of the saddles, and also because of the top endy twangy tone.

I've gotten opinions from Fernandes users, and they said that the pickups are one of the strengths of the Fernandes copies. If ever I will replace them, probably next year if I want a fatter sound, I might go for Rio Grande or Wilde pickups.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

The pickups in my LE strat were ceramic bottom..They were ok,but I ditched them for a Twangbanger bridge and some SSL2s...My other guitarist has the same guitar and so far has left the stock pickups in his,but he does want my other fav setup in his of Twangbanger/Surfer/Surfer..

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

WIN.

 

[cayle_6]

Re: NGD! 90s Fernandes Telecaster

The pickups in my LE strat were ceramic bottom..They were ok,but I ditched them for a Twangbanger bridge and some SSL2s...My other guitarist has the same guitar and so far has left the stock pickups in his,but he does want my other fav setup in his of Twangbanger/Surfer/Surfer..

I'm planning on getting Wilde pickups or Fralins for this tele. :scratchch

WIN.

It really is.




I'll be slapping in Schaller strap locks next week, and I'll be replacing the pots to Bourns 250K and the switch to Fender 3 way switch.