Please help to identify the mexican tele

[Peter Krasov]

This is my 'new' old Mexican Fender Telecaster from 1992. It has two-piece alder (???) body, top-loaded six-saddle bridge.

Please help me to identify this model. What is the name of the model, which actually wood does the body have? It's rather heavy, and too hard for poplar, wich as far as I know was widely used by Fender Mexico in the 1990s. Looks like alder, but I'm not sure. Who know, what is this?

Thanx!

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

Looks like a Standard model. It might be veneered but the body should either be Poplar or Alder.Either way is cool. If it plays nice and you like it thats all that matters.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

Poplar is classified as a hard wood, so I am not sure if that is a defining factor or not... It looks like it could be either very hard to tell, they can also sound very similar as well. If I had to guess I would probably lean towards poplar because of the era... But wouldn't be surprised if it was Alder instead.

I guess that doesn't help much does it?... Sorry

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

One other possibility is a "spread" of up to seven pieces of wood hidden beneath front and back facings.

Take a look inside the routed cavities for evidence of sink lines in the finish. This will reveal whether the body is a solid, two-piece or a multi-piece spread with book-matched facings.

Another place to look on your particular instrument is on the lower bout of the body where the finish has come away. See any sudden changes of grain direction and/or glued joints? If so, you've got a "spread" built guitar. (Not fatal but not ideal either.)

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

these are the wear spots.
I don't have any opportunity to make better photos, sorry for that.

I guess there is veneer on the body

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

There is no way that is a 2 piece body. My guess is 5-7 pieces. Not that there should be much concern because of that but most of the MIA Fenders have more than 2 piece bodies,unless you`re talking Custom Shop!

I`ve had a few MIA Fender Strats and they all had 3 piece bodies.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

That's a regular old MIM tele...

The early '90s ones had the top loader bridge and it was very common to put veneer over a poplar body. Poplar sounds similar to alder... its just not a good looking wood for clear finishes.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

There is no way that is a 2 piece body. My guess is 5-7 pieces. Not that there should be much concern because of that but most of the MIA Fenders have more than 2 piece bodies,unless you`re talking Custom Shop!

I`ve had a few MIA Fender Strats and they all had 3 piece bodies.

My American Deluxe has three pieces. In a month I'm getting Squier Classic Vibe Tele, and as far as I know, it also has three pieces.

I've taken the pickguard off, wiped out the shielding with the sandpaper, and still I cannot see any of the sink lines.

So, it's getting more and more interesting to know, how many body pieces does this guitar have...

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

That's a regular old MIM tele...

The early '90s ones had the top loader bridge

I'm going to make the strings go through the body though.

 

[drunkinminer]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

Looks like a Standard model. It might be veneered but the body should either be Poplar or Alder.Either way is cool. If it plays nice and you like it thats all that matters.

I agree with this as well. And to add to it if it plays nice and you like it who care how many pieces the body is made out of.

But if you really want people who know their Teles go to www.tdpri.com and ask there.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

But if you really want people who know their Teles go to www.tdpri.com and ask there.

I've tried to ask at TDPRI, but here I've got much more useful answers and tips. Thanks everyone!

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Please help to identify the mexican tele

I like it!

If it's 1992, it's poplar. All the Mexican Fenders of that era had multi-piece bodies. The models with sunburst finish got an alder veneer. The solid colors are just poplar.

They're good guitars. I'd see about getting a string-through bridge installed.