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Post subject: '62 RI Telecaster MIJ - 1985...maybe? Need help verifying
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:09 pm
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Ok sports fans, anyone up for a challenge?
I'm trying to verify & date my beloved 80's MIJ Tele. I am no expert by any stretch and after more research than i've ever had to do on anything, i still can't figure this one out. Maybe that's the way it is but i was hoping for a little help from you guys if anyone has a minute...or day(s)...ha!

What i was told when i bought it used in '91:
Fender Telecaster - '62 RI MIJ. Previous owner thought it might be an '85 but didn't know for sure because he also got it 2nd hand. I did get him to finally admit he was the one that scuffed the "Made in Japan" label off just above the s/n on the back of the neck....he was 17 so i guess he gets a pass.

Here's all the numbers:
s/n: E829430
Bridge Plate: A031768
Neck Stamp on heel: 4 Z TL-562 P (Z & P are large & bold)
Neck Pocket on body has an ink stamp: 500

As far as I got:
- s/n using dater = Fuji-gen Plant, 1984 - 1987
- Bridge Plate # in dater gives 1985 - 1986 but not sure if that's the way that works.
- Using other posts on this site, the Neck Stamp (TL-562) suggests TL = Telecaster and maybe the last 2 #'s (62) verifies the RI year.
What about the 5...maybe '85?
What about the 4 Z & P on neck....or the mysterious 500 in pocket?

Can anyone please fill in the blanks and/or correct anything hypothesized above? I'm pretty much guessing, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
I have more pics if needed

Image
Image
Image
What about the 4 Z & PImage
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Image
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:08 pm
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Hiya Bdub,
I would stick with the serial number guide, although as you state, its not exact.
We offered this model from Jan1985 through June of 1999, so as you might expect there were bunches of 'em.
I inspected my share of these back in the day....always very nice guitars.
Yours looks pretty awesome by the pics you posted.

My recollection (such as it is) is that the TL-562 number is simply the Japanese model designation and you will find it in every one of these TeLe-62s.
A little something I could add to this is that though there may have been some Japanese production on these and other models in 84, CBS Fender for all intents and purposes was ramped down through the end of 84 and not much, if any "new" product shipped out of Fullerton. The decision on the final sale of Fender was literally made at the time of the trade show in Jan 85.
When i came back to inspection in the old plant in Feb 85 we were shipping Standard Strats, Teles, Basses and import Acoustics though the time we tore the place down and moved to Brea, CA in May/June. After our move to Brea, we started seeing models like yours starting to come through our inspection line.
So I would say that the earliest possible date yours was shipped was fall/winter 85.
Cheers,
rob


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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:58 pm
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Thanks so much for the great insight into what was going on at that time with these guitars Rob. I didn't realize there were that many made either.

So, i gather the s/n on the bridge plate (A031768) is the one to go with in this case since it sorta narrows it down to '85-'86 which also fits the plant inspection line history you just described as well?

Any idea what the 500 means in the neck pocket or what the 4 Z & P on the heel is all about?

Also, thanks for the compliment. The guitar really is in awesome condition except for a few dings on the back and of course the missing "Made in Japan" decal. The neck can only be described as butter! It's so easy to play and has a beautiful grain running through it. The sound is Tele all the way and fools most people the 1st time they see/play it. It's completely original except for the 3 way switch which needed to be replaced a few years back. The bridge plate has a little ox from living near the beach for 20+ yrs but not too bad.


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:29 am
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Hi again bdub!
Well truthfully I dont ever remember using the number on the bridge for MIJ Teles, so I would stick with the serial nmber you posted. Bless google--- http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page14.html
and of course we have a dater on our site as well.
I can't honestly tell you what the other markings are, though my belief is that they are more than likely a marking made by manufacturing to designate the stages as they go through the line. Just my best guess.
Anyway.....sorry I couldn't answer more....but it is a beaut!!
Enjoy!
rob


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:27 am
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She is a beauty, enjoy the guitar bud 8)


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:29 pm
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Rob Schwarz-Fender wrote:
Hi again bdub!
Well truthfully I dont ever remember using the number on the bridge for MIJ Teles, so I would stick with the serial nmber you posted. Bless google--- http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page14.html
and of course we have a dater on our site as well.
I can't honestly tell you what the other markings are, though my belief is that they are more than likely a marking made by manufacturing to designate the stages as they go through the line. Just my best guess.
Anyway.....sorry I couldn't answer more....but it is a beaut!!
Enjoy!
rob


No worries brother, i really appreciate you taking the time to drop everything you did. It was very helpfull. It's also got me wondering about the value these days if i were to sell it...hmmm??? Thanks again Rob!


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:31 pm
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Snowy72 wrote:
She is a beauty, enjoy the guitar bud 8)


Thanks snowy! Dig the red Tele, peace.


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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:10 am
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Anyone have an idea what these are worth now? Kinda curious...thanks in advance!


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Post subject: Re: '62 RI Telecaster MIJ - 1985...maybe? Need help verifyin
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:46 am
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I'm sorrry to piggy-back on this question but am curious about a '62 RI that a student recently bought with an SQ+5 serial and is immaculate but has no neck or pocket markings on the body. Only thing it has is the serial number at the base of the neck. Guitar looks new; No bridge plate S/N either.
Have any of you seeen this before?


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