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Post subject: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 8:49 pm
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Hi,

I have an old Telecaster my Dad gave to me in 1978. I have a little bit of a mystery with it and I hope you all can shed some insight, opinions, or idea's.

I am trying to find out the date ...What I can call this telecaster.
I am also trying to find out more about the 'mystery' of it.

so here it goes..
My dad bought his telecaster in 1955 while stationed in Panama. The guy he bought it from said he bought it new a few years before. I started looking into this guitar and a mystery has come up that has me baffled.

I bought a book titled "the Fender Telecaster. The detailed story of America's senior solid body electric guitar" by A.R. Dushossoir. special forward by James Burton and Albert Lee. This book is goes into great detail and is where I get most of my information.

The serial number is 0119. The date on the neck of the guitar cannot be read as it has faded. But you can tell that it was written in green pencil...which according to our info was used in 1950. Almost all other aspects put in being built in 1950/51....ie...pot code is 21st week of 1950. No cavity between the pickups and control knobs. truss rod has a slot screw.. etc. So "Production" info looks like 1950 to 1951....

however..."Assembly" info has two things that say 1952...the screws on the bridge plate are phillips head and the telecaster logo...(since it has one) is spaghetti style.

The "mystery' is this...the serial number 0119 is also stamped on the neck on the backside base where it screws into the body. Why was this done? It looks like it was done originally as the finish is down in the numbers stamped in the wood. It appears to be the original neck...straight slot screw..green pencil... It appears as if they wanted to keep the neck and the body together after production for some reason.
Under the pick guard is the name of a band.
"the Big Jim Texes banb" (yes, the 'd' in band was printed as a lower case 'b')
then the first names of the band members in their own handwriting.
Sally, Slim, Manny, Rex, Buck and Jay Jay. My dad said he had no idea this was there. So it had to be put
there prior to 1955. He said the guy he bought it from wasnt even in a band.. SO..who is this band? was this guitar made for them?? did something happen and the guitar was just thrown into main line assembly?

My dad said he the only thing he had done to the guitar was that he replaced one tuner, sometime in the 60's... no other has been done to it..

I have taken it to
a couple of "guitar shops" and they really dont help with answering my questions. They just make an offer to buy it. And cheap offers at that.

Any ideas or insight that you all can shed on this situation will surely be appreciated.
What year would one call this guitar??

Thanks
Tom


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Post subject: Re: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:26 pm
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Hi Tom.

It would seem you have done some good research, at this point I would say you need to have a professional appraisal by a qualified shop that deals with old Fenders.

You may want to get more the one, in this case I feel the guitar is more then likely legit, BUT you need to have it verified.

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Post subject: Re: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:48 am
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You could try calling Fender Customer Relations and see what they can tell you about it, but with it being such a vintage guitar, they might not have answers.

You could also have appraised by someone like George Gruhn, who specializes in vintage guitars.

It would be great also if you could post a couple of pictures to show us what kind of shape it's in.

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Post subject: Re: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:01 am
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A couple of helpful links:

Gruhn Guitars in Nashville (specialize in vintage guitars): http://www.gruhn.com/

The Blackguard book: http://www.theblackguardbook.com/


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Post subject: Re: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:53 pm
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I can absolutely without ay qualms recommend George Gruhn.He is the head Guru of guitar appraisal.First you need to take as many pix as you can of the body,neck,internal cavities,neck heel,any pen or pencil marks and any stamped or engraved numbers or letters.He'll send you all the info as what to do.I believe an appraisal by mail or over the net is about $50 but that's a bargain when you're talking about a guitar that could possibly be in the mid 5 figure bracket.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.


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Post subject: Re: Help with Old Telecaster
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:08 pm
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I have had great experiences with Gruhns in the past. Fantastic people and always honest and fair!! Welcome to the forum. A ton of great people here to offer help and friendship! Also...please post some pics of your beautiful guitar!! :D
ABS


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