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Post subject: Nice Looker -- Real?
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:32 am
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Hey all,
First post so here we go.
I'm in the market for a beautiful yet affordable Tele (my first) for the holiday season and have found what I think I'm looking for. I've come here now to verify a couple things and see if anyone has any solid yet broad opinions on the current pricing, etc.

Here is the full body shot, along with a closeup of the serial:
Image
Image

The only thing throwing me off about either of those shots is the corona california hardware insignia which appears on the bridge. This seems to conincide with the neckplat on back, shown here: Image. I'm not too familiar with the hardware histories, but wanted to make sure this all fits. It almost looks as if the neck plate was replaced considering the empty screw hole, but you all would know more than I would.

This tele also seems to feature an extra toggle switch on the front along with some more electronics on the back of the body, shown here: Image.

Aside from those oddities, and I only say that because I can't seem to find a similar built guitar anywhere else, there appears to be only a single ding on the back side of the guitar here: Image.

Now with all of that info, my basic questions become: 1) Is this baby legit or does it seem some work was done on it? 2) Does anything look out of the ordinary. 3) Can anyone give a ballpark value on the guitar?

I appreciate all the help in advance!

Thanks,
F


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:47 am
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No expert but I think it's not real. Some areas are not right. Decal position, serial numbering is two different fonts and the micro tilt hole looks full of wood!!
JMHO :wink:


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:34 pm
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I've never seen a switch like that on a guitar, but I might just not be familiar with that line or something...

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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:43 pm
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the switch indicates it may be a subsonic tele however as for its authenticity i am not sure. sorry :(


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:47 pm
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Genuine Fender. That's an American Deluxe Power Telecaster from the early '00s (or whatever this decade is called). The "Power" refers to the Fishman Power Bridge with piezo pickups.

Google "American Deluxe Power Telecaster" and you'll find info like this: http://www.harmony-central.com/Events/S ... Teles.html

fhopkins wrote:
No expert but I think it's not real. Some areas are not right. Decal position, serial numbering is two different fonts and the micro tilt hole looks full of wood!!
JMHO :wink:


Not to pick on Hop, but I'd like to address his concerns. Decal position and the string tree are correct for the American Deluxe Telecaster - even current ones, as seen here: http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0101602731

The micro tilt hole picture was taken at an angle. What we're seeing is the side wall of the hole, and you can see the leftover white polishing compound that's usually in the routes of Fender instruments.

The serial number looks like two different fonts because of how numbering machines work. I don't know for sure how Fender does it, but I spent a few years in the printing industry and have seen numbering machines in operation.

What I assume Fender did was order a bunch of Z0 decals numbered sequentially. Fender may do the numbering in-house but I suspect they'd just order a certain number of decals based on how many of that model they expected to make that year. "SERIAL NUMBER Z0" was printed on all of them and then they were run through a numbering machine for the sequential numbers. This apparent "two fonts" thing is common with Fender guitars, and on lots of other stuff, like pads of receipts or tickets with stubs that have the numbers done seperately from the rest of the printing on the forms.


Last edited by George on Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:00 pm
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You are probably correct about the micro tilt and the decal George. Like I said I'm no expert but I still don't like that serial numbering. I don't recall ever seeing that before and it should be DZ. Hmmm! :? :wink: I'm just leery. Something is not right to me but that's me. Thanks!! :)

One way to find out for sure is to contact Fender Customer Relations with the serial number. They could tell you. Good luck!


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:15 pm
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You're right about the DZ. I can't explain that but this to me is unlikely to be a fake Fender, given the unique routing of this model. Most fakes I see are Squiers with Fender decals or off-brand guitars with Fender decals. This guitar is too complex and has unique routing, so it's an unlikely fake, in my opinion.

I imagine these come up for sale on eBay now and then. Perhaps a search of current and completed auctions might reveal a similar one with a picture of a serial number and we might learn that this model didn't have numbers starting with D. Perhaps Fender didn't start using the D in the serial number for American Deluxes until later this decade? Just guessing.

As for the different fonts on the serial number, here are a couple of images I found by googling images for "Fender serial numbers":

Image
Image


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:17 pm
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I hear ya brother! :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:21 pm
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Quote:
it should be DZ


Here's a similar model with a DZ serial number on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-American-Del ... 2ea9f49ecf

It is peculiar that the guitar in question doesn't have the D in the serial number.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:23 pm
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First off I REALLY appreciate all the prompt and thorough responses from everyone.

The only question I'm really curious about at the moment now is price. The guy selling will give me a 3 day return policy, so I think checking it out in person is my next step.

He was trying to unload for 1400 but I wanna get him close to the 12-1300 (hopefully lower) range. I think he's been trying awhile to unload it, so I may have leverage there. Thoughts? Don't forget the dings, the need for new strings and possibly batteries AND it comes with soft case, instead of hard.

-Francis


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:32 pm
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Good luck Francis!!! Better safe than sorry. Good thing George showed up! :wink:

Keep us informed and welcome to the forum!! :)


Last edited by fhopkins on Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:33 pm
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Hey guys,
Just got off the phone with fender to check out the Z vs DZ issue.

Turns out, early models like this in the 2000's often didn't have the DZ; they added it later basically.

So, by serial and description, this baby's legit, made in april of 2000 and about to a part of my quiver!!!!


Any thoughts on the price, too btw, would be amazing.

-F


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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:36 pm
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Good, you talked to Fender. Post some pics when you can! 8)


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:42 pm
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Francis,

Hope I'm not hogging your thread. I just love playing the "Name That Telecaster" game because I'm a geek for tiny details.

All guitars need new strings when you buy them and anything with a battery will need it replaced regularly, so I wouldn't worry about those things.

A smart buyer would certainly use the dings as a negotiating point, and if you know he's been trying to sell for a while, that should also figure into what you think he might accept. Also check for and point out any fret wear.

One thing I'd definitely use to my advantage is the lack of a hard case. As far as I know, all US Fenders with the possible exception of Highway 1 models come with a hard case and it has been this way for decades. Some dealers like Guitar Center try to play games with cases, such as charging you for them or switching out a hard case for a gig bag to uninformed buyers.

The lack of a hard case wouldn't be a problem for me, personally, but I'd definitely use that in my negotiations to get a lower price and also to let the seller know I was knowledgeable about Fender guitars and wasn't some rube who just fell off the turnip truck.

Do some research on this model online. Read user reviews at Harmony Central and anywhere else you can find them. There have been reports of the Fishman Power Bridges having problems with intermittent cutting out of the signal and outright failure of them. Replacement saddles aren't as easy to come by as regular ones are, should you need them, and I've read that if you don't cut the old strings before pulling them through the body for removal, the coily ends that have been wrapped around the tuning machines can grab and damage the tiny wires going to the piezo saddles.

All of what I've written about the Fishman bridge is "hear-say" evidence. I've never owned one a Tele with a Fishman bridge and have only read what others have said in many years of hanging around guitar forums. But that's enough to make me suggest that you test the piezo bridge to make sure it functions properly before buying. Play it, maybe shake the guitar gently while playing to check for loose wiring, and visually inspect the saddles and any exposed wiring carefully. Check the pots and switches for smooth operation and listen for any scratchiness that's audible through the amp.

Good luck.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:46 pm
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Love it George, Thank you.

I've offered the guy 1280 total (including the shipping) as a starting point. i've found him trying to unload this for at least 3 months on a couple places (all email addy's match so i know it's one guy), plus was zero interest in his ebay posting.

I will keep you guys posted, and considering his return policy, I'll definitely be back to show some more stuff as things progress. thanks!

-F


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