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Post subject: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:45 pm
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Hey guys, I am very new to this forum, but I heard that this community is very friendly and always here to help, so I have a question. I decided that it is time to upgrade my gear, and I wanted a Tele or a Strat, but I don't have a serious buck to buy a new one from the shop, so I decided to look up one on my local "ebay" (I live in Lithuania, so Ebay isnt so popular here, but we have some alternatives), and I found a great deal: a Fender Lite Ash Telecaster for 370 euros. Although it is a great deal, it causes some suspicion. So maybe you guys can help me identify this one and tell me your opinion on it. Here are some photos

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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 3:48 pm
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http://www2.fender.com/fr-FR/support/ar ... ct-dating/


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:23 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
http://www2.fender.com/fr-FR/support/articles/korean-instruments-product-dating/

Thank you, this link provided some information, but still, isnt there a possibility that the number could still be fake?


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:43 pm
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It looks like a legit Fender Lite Ash Tele to me; one of the early Made in Korea ones. The cosmetics on these early MIKs do look kind of fake - or as I've put it before "it's the real Fender that looks faker than some of the real fakes". Later on Fender started using a more "normal" headstock decal on these.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:17 pm
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The 12th fret dot spacing is way wider than what's common on Fenders. On the other hand, the neck is birds-eye maple, which is a premium wood, and not something someone would use to fake a Korean model. Everything looks legit, so my guess is that it's a real one.

I would say it's a good price. The MSRP new was $900, and the street price in the US was around $600, and EUR 750 in Europe.
Given that there's nothing wrong with it, it seems like an ok buy.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 2:53 am
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arth1 wrote:
The 12th fret dot spacing is way wider than what's common on Fenders. On the other hand, the neck is birds-eye maple, which is a premium wood, and not something someone would use to fake a Korean model. Everything looks legit, so my guess is that it's a real one.

I would say it's a good price. The MSRP new was $900, and the street price in the US was around $600, and EUR 750 in Europe.
Given that there's nothing wrong with it, it seems like an ok buy.


The seller was very open to all of my question, and judging by his words, thr guitar is in good condition. I am going to see it on Sunday, so maybe some of you guys can give an advice or two on what should I look out for before buying.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:08 am
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arth1 wrote:

I would say it's a good price. The MSRP new was $900, and the street price in the US was around $600, and EUR 750 in Europe.
.


$600 for a Korean Fender ...Its a rob

370 euros is not a deal

Kiriuxia ;

http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/guitar ... umber.html


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 4:21 am
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It is not a Squier so the above link is not relevant. The early Lite Ash Fenders, both Strat and Tele, were made by Cort in Korea and production was later transferred to Indonesia. Highly regarded by many because of the real, not 'Duncan Designed' Seymour Duncan pickups. The weaknesses are usually tuners and switch which are easily replaced.
Spec
Model Name Lite Ash Telecaster®
Model Number 026-5102-(521)
Series Special Edition Series
Colors (506) Black,
(521) Natural,
(541) Vintage White,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Body Lightweight Ash
Neck Birdseye Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Birdseye Maple, 9.5” Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups Seymour Duncan® APTR-1, APTL-1, (Neck/Bridge) (AP=Alnico Pro)
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Switching 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Bridge Vintage Style with 3 Brass Saddles
Machine Heads Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 1-Ply Black
Scale Length 25.5” (648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.625”
Unique Features Black Plastic Parts,
Abalone Dot Position Inlays,
Oversized Strap Buttons
Strings Fender Super 250L, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042),
p/n 073-0250-003
Accessories None
Case None
Introduced 1/2004


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 4:27 am
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64Galaxie wrote:
It is not a Squier so the above link is not relevant.



Sorry I do a mystake


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 6:12 am
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So guys, should I take it?


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 6:31 am
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Looks legit to me,
That would have been the Tele I wanted to buy if I didn't find the Baja on my way!!! So I went for the Baja instead.
Nice birds eye maple neck, Seymour Duncan pickups and classic Tele bridge.
The top is NOT well matched so if the cosmetic aspects matter you.... Otherwise I would say go!!!


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:11 am
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Thank you guys for all your contribution and help, if any of you have some experience or opinion on this guitar, please, tell me, as I still have some time before buying this beauty.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 10:47 am
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If it plays well, and doesn't have horrible wear on the frets or other problems, there's nothing wrong with the price.

To those who would compare to US prices, don't. Fender new prices are considerably higher in Europe, which then reflects on the used market too. But even at the much lower US used prices, USD 400, which this equates to, is an acceptable price, if it plays well.

The neck is birdseye maple and has abalone dot inlays, which you need to go to a much higher price segment to find. And the original Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 pickups are arguably one big step up from the pickups you find in, say, Mexican models.


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 2:51 pm
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I can really only add to what has already been said. It looks like a genuine Korean Tele to me so if you haven't already, go and buy it!


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Post subject: Re: Need help identifying if this telecaster is fake
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:14 pm
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Looks good to me.


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