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Post subject: ?'s about the Baja Telecaster
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:50 pm
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Just got home from an outing to Guitar Center. Went to use that 75$ gift card they sent me :) I was quite interested to see that they had a used Baja Telecaster (desert burst) in their inventory and since I have been wanting to try one of these guitars out, I plucked it down from the wall and gave it a go. I have to say that I thought the guitar "sounded" fine, and it played rather nicely. It had lots of twang, the pick ups were plenty lively and the S-1 system with the 4 position switch provided some interesting tonal options. But it looked like the construction was not quite up to par.

I do understand that it was used, but the thing that really bugged me about it was the bridge. The bridge was the vintage style with the edges on it and the back corners of these edges ( behind the saddles) looked a bit rough. Also, I noticed that the bridge did not completely cover the routing for the bridge pick up, I could see the hole on both sides (top and bottom) of the bridge. I was wondering if this was common among the baja teles, or perhaps the previous owner did some weird mods?


At any rate, the price for the guitar was $549 US, there were a couple other cosmetic issues like corroded strings, missing pickguard screws and the switch knob was missing. I would have thought that GC would at least taken the time to pretty the thing up a bit before displaying it for sale.

I'd like to hear from any baja tele owners about their experience with the instrument. Did I just find an ill-treated baja, or are duds common among them?


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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:15 pm
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Got a Baja in the light tan (whatever fancy-schmancy color that is) and am very pleased with it. Had it almost two years now.

Bridge - mine has the somewhat rough looking corners also. I suspect that they're folded up and then someone did a quick weld job, MIG across it. And then a quick run across a grinding wheel. I've thought a couple of times about pulling mine off and spending a hour filing it down till it's perfect, but so far, no sharp edges so I'm been good with it.

Also on the bridges, the MIM are different hole spacing than the MIA's. I got another bridge with mine with the thought I would replace the brass saddles to resolve any intonation issues. Mine sets up quite nicely, so I've never replaced it. Probably wind up selling this other six position bridge on flea-bay.

Routing - on mine, at the top there's just a thin opening and at the bottom I can see distortion in the paint right at the edge. Never really bothered me that much Not that noticeable unless you're specifically looking for it.

The issues you mention are cosmetic. If they bother you that much, pass. But if this one passes the eyes closed test (you like the way it sounds when your eyes are closed) than take it to the manager and beat them down on the price. They will be more interested in getting this one off the wall so they can up up something else with a better markup.

Baja's are near top of the line for the MIM customs. There's clunkers in there, but check this one out closely, it could be a good deal. You already said you liked the twang.

Get good bit of copper shielding under the pick guard, twist the pick up wiring and a good set of strings.

If you haven't seen my other posts, but I'm more for function than aesthetics. If this one speaks to you, then beat 'em down on price, take it home, crank to 11 and twang away!

Updates and pictures, please.


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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:47 pm
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Thanks for the advice, I'd have to play it a few more times before I would buy it.

Just curious to see if other Baja teles had similar "quirks"


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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 1:27 pm
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Two more items.

I re-read your original post and the part about the missing pick guard screws really started bothering me. Why would they be missing unless some yahoo was in there messing around? I mean, it s not like someone was playing so much that they backed themselves out. My worry would be someone was in there, maybe swapping out pickups.

Second item. I have read a couple different places about quality control issues. That's hard to verify since a lot of the opinions here are so...subjective. But I would check it out to make sure it's not someone else's reject for valid reasons.


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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:24 pm
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Well, besides the screw being missing, I could not see the screw hole in the wood beneath, as though the guard was mis-aligned. Which leads me to point out an issue that I did not mention before, the pickguard on this guitar was mint green and rather rough looking. I was under the impression that the guitar came with a parchment pickguard. I think it is a poor replacement, and may be an indication that someone has indeed been messing around inside the guitar.


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Post subject: Re: ?'s about the Baja Telecaster
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:48 pm
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scarroll1 wrote:
Just got home from an outing to Guitar Center. Went to use that 75$ gift card they sent me :) I was quite interested to see that they had a used Baja Telecaster (desert burst) in their inventory and since I have been wanting to try one of these guitars out, I plucked it down from the wall and gave it a go. I have to say that I thought the guitar "sounded" fine, and it played rather nicely. It had lots of twang, the pick ups were plenty lively and the S-1 system with the 4 position switch provided some interesting tonal options. But it looked like the construction was not quite up to par.

I do understand that it was used, but the thing that really bugged me about it was the bridge. The bridge was the vintage style with the edges on it and the back corners of these edges ( behind the saddles) looked a bit rough. Also, I noticed that the bridge did not completely cover the routing for the bridge pick up, I could see the hole on both sides (top and bottom) of the bridge. I was wondering if this was common among the baja teles, or perhaps the previous owner did some weird mods?


At any rate, the price for the guitar was $549 US, there were a couple other cosmetic issues like corroded strings, missing pickguard screws and the switch knob was missing. I would have thought that GC would at least taken the time to pretty the thing up a bit before displaying it for sale.

I'd like to hear from any baja tele owners about their experience with the instrument. Did I just find an ill-treated baja, or are duds common among them?


The bridge on my Baja Tele is similar but it is a normal appearance. It doesn't cover the base or routing for the bridge pickup. The bridgeplate is similar to the '52 Telecaster, though, and can have an ashtray cover applied. The Broadcaster-Nocaster-style pickup is pretty sweet sounding, and will not be affected by the bridge 'defect'. The previous owner may have done something other than change the pickguard. I would ask the dealer to replace the switch knob. I paid about $700 before the price increase, so it's a good deal.

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1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp


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Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:25 pm
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Mint green? That rates a minor 'WTF?' and my offer just dropped to $300. I keep thinking that the Baja's were only offered with a black or white pick guard.

So that backs up my hypothesis that some bubba yahoo was in there screwing around. At best they just pulled off the original pick guard and did a half-a$$ed replacement, or at worst they were in there swapping pickups and other parts out.

Do you know any good Fender techs? I would have someone who really knows the Fender line to look this one over, *including* the tuners, bridge, electronics, neck, etc.

In my mind, this particular guitar is very, very suspect.

I wouldn't walk away from this if it sounded good to you, but just based only on what you're telling me, there's no way I'd pay that asking price. I would use that as a bargaining point. And let them know you'll walk away with no problem.


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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:33 am
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I agree with what everyone else has said. Bridge I wouldn't worry about as the vintage ash tray style bridge rarely fully covers the routing (I haven't seen one where it totally covers it actually) but the pickguard thing bugs me too. It's supposed to be a 5 hole parchment guard (which I actually don't like because it's single ply and seems cheaply made but that's the only thing I don't like about this guitar) so that makes sense for them switching out the guard with an 8 hole design and not fixing the holes, but again that makes the pups suspect since they're so nice stock. Get it checked and if the pups and wiring are kosher, then I say go for it and maybe swap the guard for one that's more appropriate. Good luck.


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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:25 pm
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Alas, I was too long in deciding whether to buy this one. Someone already beat me to it. Not a big dea, I love my AM Std Tele. I was looking to buy a semi-hollow body anyway (real reason for the outing to start with :) ) and I wound up with a very nice ( if a bit worn and a factory second) used non-fender semi-hollow body. A 1982 Gibson ES335TD, here it is:


http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104623
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104669
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104704


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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:02 pm
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I think that may have worked out well for you. Unless you could have beaten them down in price for the issues previously mentioned, that one wasn't worth it. I was getting bad vibes from your description.

There will be others. You learned something here.


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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:12 am
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scarroll1 wrote:
Alas, I was too long in deciding whether to buy this one. Someone already beat me to it. Not a big dea, I love my AM Std Tele. I was looking to buy a semi-hollow body anyway (real reason for the outing to start with :) ) and I wound up with a very nice ( if a bit worn and a factory second) used non-fender semi-hollow body. A 1982 Gibson ES335TD, here it is:


http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104623
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104669
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... 1240104704



What is the switch on the upper bout of your ES-335? Phase shift or coil tap switch? I have a ES-347, which has a coil-tap for switching b/t humbucker to single-coil.

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss17 ... G_1051.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss17 ... 1052-1.jpg

_________________
2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp


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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:35 pm
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Nice guitar!

That switch is a coil tap. Kind of handy for coaxing interesting tones out of the guitar. I have come to really like it.


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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 11:32 am
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I've ahd my baja for 5 months now,the bridge on mine dosen't cover the pickup cavity either but my guitar teachers classic player MIM 60's tele has the same problem although it dosen't seem to affect the sound. I had a few teething problems with mine including fret buzz , and the most annoying buzzy pickups i'm thinking about getting it sheilded properly!
I'm not tosure about the one you saw but if you kno it'll make you happy , go for it!!! :D


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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:09 pm
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That particular guitar got bought by someone else before I could get another chance to play on it. I did get to give it a good try the first time I saw it though and it played nicely, I was just concerned about anything the previous owner might have done to "modify" it.

Still interested in acquiring a Baja Tele. I currently have my eye on another one that I have found 8)


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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 5:08 pm
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Mine too has the bridge problem. When sighting along the strings the bridge appears to be scewed. The nut slots were too high and the frets were horrible. It does sound superb though. I would recommend them to anyone. The properly finished product is well worth the price of the guitar and a fret level/crown.

Any of you guys notice the neck is unnaturaly thick. I have soft V, U and D shaped strats. This neck dwarfs em.

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