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Post subject: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:26 pm
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I have an '83 USA Tele that the strings don't go through the body. Is it considered a top loader? In '83 did Teles come with either strings through the body type bridge or a top loader or was there another type bridge also? Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:27 pm
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Location: Coastal Bend, Tx.
Yes in '83 the standard tele was a toploader w/ L-shaped saddles.
There was also the elite models, they had a freeflyte(i think thats what they were called) STB bridge.
There are a few pictures in the thread below, just a different topic-same year.....
https://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=117996


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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 3:41 am
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I bought a MiM Toploader with individual L saddles and they were an absolute pain. The limited break over doesn't give enough downward force, particularly with light gauge strings, so you can end up with one of the height adjustment screws floating if not adjusted very finely.

I swapped the bridge to accommodate more traditional twin brass saddles (although they were the compensated variety). It works a great deal better.

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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:43 am
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I read somewhere that an '83 Tele top loader was somewhat rare. True/False? Always wanted a Custom Shop Closet Classic, but got a real one from a friend of mine. I don't even play guitar but will always keep this one.


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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:22 am
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mangorockfish wrote:
...Always wanted a Custom Shop Closet Classic.... I don't even play guitar...


Right :?

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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:29 am
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mangorockfish wrote:
I read somewhere that an '83 Tele top loader was somewhat rare...


Probably because they didn't sell well, so Fender didn't bother to make many.

There are those that rate top loaders, and even those who have modified their conventional Tele's to be Top Loaders because they feel it makes a difference to the tone. Having strings flopping around on the saddle probably does, so they are probably right.

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Post subject: Re: Tele Top Loader
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 11:28 am
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Rare? Dunno about that but there are fewer of them for sure. It marked the end of the CBS era production and the end of the Fullerton production facility, was under an internal transformation of sorts. Some good changes others bad. It was a point in time the current company got woke to how far quality had come from the original designs.
I love my '83, it plays great and the quality is rock solid. I have updated the pots and switch but the original pickups sound fine to me where others find some fault is a matter of personal tastes. Many people modded the original top loader design by drilling the back-through and replacing the bridge. An original condition '83 is more rare than a modded version.


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