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Post subject: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2020 11:12 pm
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I recently purchased what I thought was a MIJ Telecaster TL-520M (S/N T037209) and Fender Hard Case for £125/$160, which I thought was quite a bargain.

I had no suspicions regarding the neck, but the body didn't seem right to me. Having emailed Jeff at Xhefri Guitars with my concerns he confirmed that the neck was in fact a '94-'95 MIJ Telecaster and the body was a cheaper replica, which included non-standard Fender tuners, Rio Grande pick ups and Wilkinson Strap Lock buttons.

I'm keen to try and either restore the guitar as close as I can to the original MIJ (although I'd be happy to change the colour) or try to create my own Partscaster.

If anyone knows of any MIJ Telecaster '52 bodies for sale any ifo you have would be much appreciated.

Or if anyone has any cool Partscaster ideas to through into the mix I'm all ears.

The neck itself isn't in great conditions, can anyone recommend what I do with it to get it back up to decent condition? I quite like that the varnish has come off, but it may not be best for keeping the neck in good condition going forward.

Any help/ideas are much appreciated!

Photos of my guitar/parts can be found at my Google Drive Link here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SbtHU ... Rix_qJoz5C

Thanks,
Jordan


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 4:55 am
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Put a pickgaurd and some strings on it, and play it.


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 5:43 am
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What a waste of effort for such a silly reply. Now I’ve wasted my time replying as well. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 5:58 am
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madeinbrechin wrote:
What a waste of effort for such a silly reply. Now I’ve wasted my time replying as well. Thanks.

Well done!
It's a great tactic, pi55ing off the membership.

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 6:05 am
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If membership on this site requires submitting unhelpful, obvious and unfunny answers to serious questions then it can be as pissed off as it likes. Ridiculous.


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 5:23 am
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madeinbrechin wrote:
I recently purchased what I thought was a MIJ Telecaster TL-520M (S/N T037209) and Fender Hard Case for £125/$160, which I thought was quite a bargain......
Or if anyone has any cool Partscaster ideas to through into the mix I'm all ears.
Thanks,
Jordan

Put a set of strings on the damn thing, and play it. That's my cool Partscaster idea. It's the internet....you don't have to like my answer.


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:22 am
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Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:54 pm
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madeinbrechin wrote:
I recently purchased what I thought was a MIJ Telecaster TL-520M (S/N T037209) and Fender Hard Case for £125/$160, which I thought was quite a bargain.

I had no suspicions regarding the neck, but the body didn't seem right to me. Having emailed Jeff at Xhefri Guitars with my concerns he confirmed that the neck was in fact a '94-'95 MIJ Telecaster and the body was a cheaper replica, which included non-standard Fender tuners, Rio Grande pick ups and Wilkinson Strap Lock buttons.

I'm keen to try and either restore the guitar as close as I can to the original MIJ (although I'd be happy to change the colour) or try to create my own Partscaster.

If anyone knows of any MIJ Telecaster '52 bodies for sale any ifo you have would be much appreciated.

Or if anyone has any cool Partscaster ideas to through into the mix I'm all ears.

The neck itself isn't in great conditions, can anyone recommend what I do with it to get it back up to decent condition? I quite like that the varnish has come off, but it may not be best for keeping the neck in good condition going forward.

Any help/ideas are much appreciated!

Photos of my guitar/parts can be found at my Google Drive Link here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SbtHU ... Rix_qJoz5C

Thanks,
Jordan


So you made a purchase that contains a made in Japan neck, without the standard tuners. If the case is, in fact, a genuine Fender hard shell case, it may have been a reasonable purchase for the money.
Your pictures don't show the fingerboard of the neck.

What do you think is wrong with the neck, besides the finish is worn? Are the frets worn?

Do you have pictures under the control plate?

Is what's left of the pickguard removable? Or is it glued down?

How much money are you willing to spend?

I don't think anyone is intentionally trying to pi55 you off, but based on the info you have supplied, you've received answers apropriate to your questions.

You've already violated the Code of Conduct by asking who might have a MIJ body for sale. It happens, and I don't think its worth banning someone over.

There are many here that might offer the suggestions you're looking for if you can provide a little more information.

Based on your username, and stated price you paid, I assume you're located in Scotland or the UK. That also may have bearing on whatever advice you might receive here.

A partscaster will probably never be worth what you spend on it. Only if you try to sell it later.

Even if you can provide more details, to expect all replies to "fit" your expectations is optimistic at best.

Cheers,


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:51 am
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O.k. I digress...I'm not trying to run anyone off so I'll tell you what I'd do if money was no object, and I just want to have fun with a project.
Though I can't seem to zoom in on those pics on 'Drive', I already see I don't care for the wood grain on the body; there's nothing special about it, and nothing really "pops", so I'd cover it up.
Strip everything off the body, strip the lacquer, fill all existing screw holes (except for neck bolt on holes) with toothpicks and wood glue, sand and fine sand the grain, prime it, paint it (I'd choose White), and clear coat it---that could easily take 3, 4, or 5 coats with wet sanding between coats to eliminate small bubbles that are sure to appear when using spray cans. If you have access to a cup gun, air compressor, and air pressure regulator you can control the spray much better and not have to deal with the bubbles in the clear coat.
If you choose to keep the body as-is, I'd go with a black or tortoise pickgaurd...if you go with white like I would, I'd put a 3 ply white pickgaurd on it.
Next...throw out the pickups. I would look for period correct pickups (based on the neck), I'd find out what was being used in '94-'95 and search them out. Personally I wouldn't care if they were made in Japan, so long as they were Fender pickups.
Now; I'd toss out the bridge plate and saddles, and replace with Fender stamped plate and three brass saddles. That is pretty simple, and relatively inexpensive.
I use Fender or Schaller strap locks on all my electric guitars, so I'd install those as well.
Gather all that stuff up, line it up, re-drill holes, and install...then re-wire.

Now for the neck. You mentioned the lacquer is wearing off from play, I don't remember a mention on the condition of the frets themselves. So; assuming the frets are still fine, I'd certainly polish them any way...takes very little time and makes a huge difference in feel (to me). I'd also want Fender locking tuners, so I'd switch those out. I also prefer the American string tree versus that Rams horn (just personal preference, no other reason), so I'd swap that out and MAYBE add a second one on the G & D strings.
Finally, if there is nothing special about the neck plate (i.e. blank), I tend to gravitate towards the plate with the Fender "f" logo etched in it...in my mind it says "I am a Partscaster...but a darn nice one".
Put the neck on the body, string it up (I would go Pure Nickle 10's), and plug it in. If it works fine, do your set-up and enjoy.

Hope that helps!


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Post subject: Re: MIJ Telecaster TL-520M Rebuild
Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2020 8:54 am
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Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:50 pm
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Location: Denver, CO, USA
Rio Grande makes great pickups. Most of them are warm to hot output. Not as twangy as vintage style, but if you're looking for Texas Blues or classic rock tones they're excellent.

New, a pair of Rio Grandes are worth almost what you paid for the guitar and case.


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