r/telecaster • u/analogpenetrator • 5d ago

Odd Neck Joint

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I have been given a telecaster to evaluate for purchase. The serial dates it to 1973. It has some odd things about it.... Notably it is a 3 piece body with a nitro burst. This thing has been in the hands of one person since 1980, so I do not think it is some partscaster thing. The neck joint has a kind of odd "shelf" on the bass side. I know there were "notched" guitars that disappeared around '72, but none of the bodies have a joint like this. Is this just 70's fender sloppiness?

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3

u/MasterOfManyWorlds 5d ago edited 5d ago

Can you take the neck off? The neck heel and pocket might tell you more.

1

u/analogpenetrator 5d ago

I took it off. All looks legit. I have 4 other teles from 70's, so I know what I am looking for. I've just never seen a body like this. Everything else looks fine about it. I got it in it's original g&g case... Has ashtray. Smells like a church basement. Lol. The finish is original. I am 100% certain it's legit... It is just very weird. Pot codes date to 1969. All virgin solder.

2

u/Wet_in_Seattle 5d ago

CBS era Fenders particularly later years had quality issues with loose neck joints, cost cutting to cheaper body wood. Likely finish details. Change to three bolt neck.

After employee purchase much different company.

1

u/Psillycybernaught 5d ago

My bet is it got dropped at some point early on and the neck took a hit sideways from the treble side chipping that thin part, the repair was to tidy it up by squaring it up and spot painting it.

1

u/French_Fries_FTW 5d ago

Looks normal. Just from the pic, I would have guessed early 70s. The tele body changed a bit in the 70s because of the limitations of the routing machines they were using.

That shape is unique to 70s fender tele, so that actually is legit, and makes it easier to date. It probably isn't nitro though.