Fender Thinline

crumbum · December 27th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Cross-post from TDPRI

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My guitar instructor owns a 1970's Thinline Telecaster (with the twin humbuckers). Boy, what a nice guitar. And a very nice sound to it also. It plays anything from the twangy stuff, to blues, to rock, etc.

I have been looking for one of these, but it seems that these guitars don't come up for sale very often (or at least in the 4 months that I have been looking).

There is a Mexican reissue currently in production(http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...tar?sku=510474), but no American version. The MIM is quite expensive though ($900+)

Do you guys have any info on these guitars?

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I just got back from GuitarCenter where they had two of these on display. The one had the knobs broken off and the other had frets that were so sharp that I thought that it would not be very comfortable to play. The shop was full and each amp was taken, so I couldn't play them (well, at least my version of "play"). I really liked the "feel" of the neck though.

Questions:
* Would dressing the frets be part of the setup that the store does? How would that work on a maple fretboard?
* I saw that the plates that cover the pickups were off-center on the display models. Is this something that is due to them being display models or are they that way?

crumbum · December 27th, 2009, 06:23 PM

tominkansas · December 27th, 2009, 06:46 PM

I don't know what the store will do for you as a set up. But I can tell you that I've owned a MIM 72 Thinline Tele for a few years now and really like it. The neck is what really sold me on it. I love it. I also own some MIM Strats and Custom Shop Robert Cray Signature Strat and I think the neck on my Thinline Tele feels just as nice as any of them, including the CS Strat.

fenson · December 27th, 2009, 07:58 PM

Dressing the fret ends should be a part of the deal thing, just tell em ya what the guitar (if ya do) and that you will take it only if they address the concern. Or get a newer one sent in.

Can't picture in my mind, what it is you speak of in reguard to the piuckups covers not centred ??????????

crumbum · December 27th, 2009, 08:27 PM

The pickups protrude through the holes in the covers. However, on these showroom models, they were off-center. With other words, you would only see three quarters of the screw-head of the pickup.

Boris Bubbanov · December 27th, 2009, 08:47 PM

I saw your other post at TDPRI. I'm one who feels that the newer MIM and MIJ models are held back because the pickups ARE inferior to the 1970's Fender originals; I'd hold out for the real thing, or perhaps get a set from "Telenator" over there.

Never seen what you're describing; pole pieces threaded down to below the covers? Sounds strange, but many thinks have been tried - check out what Lindy Fralin does to them (do a search).

I really despise the "F" tuners on these reissue guitars; I've resolved to assemble my own guitar, with vintage pickups, or have none at all.

crumbum · December 27th, 2009, 09:05 PM

So you think that Fender will make an American version at some point? If the MIM is $900, I can only imagine what they MIA will cost.

I have not seen prices on an original 70's Thinline. How much do they cost?

fenson · December 28th, 2009, 12:16 AM

I wouldn't hold my breath on the MIA version , may happen but. I think Fralin makes a version of the old wide range HB but smaller in size . Also many winders could rewire the stock to get real close if you found fault with the stock, I would think.

Those are nice guitars IMO the MIM RIs I doubt anything branded MIA past or present would be any better.

They are built pretty much the same as they where in the day . Same finish, same body material , same tuners ,same neck profile.

IDK the vintage prices but I bet at least 3 times the MIM price.

fenson · December 28th, 2009, 12:33 AM

72 RI Fender Telecaster Thinline MATCHING BLUES JR AMP - eBay (item 150399320475 end time Dec-30-09 14:55:34 PST) this is interesting I don't shop ebay but looks like a deal!

crumbum · December 28th, 2009, 06:57 PM

Thank you. Nice looking guitar, although I am looking for a sunburst. I am not an MIA snob, but was thinking that if we are in MIA territory with regards to cost, then the guitar should be MIA.

Am I looking at it all wrong?

fenson · December 28th, 2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crumbum

Thank you. Nice looking guitar, although I am looking for a sunburst. I am not an MIA snob, but was thinking that if we are in MIA territory with regards to cost, then the guitar should be MIA.

Am I looking at it all wrong?

Well I don't look for that model ,but I haven't seen many real ones up for grabs. And they would be quite a bit more money but IMO not much more guitar. I would think if you had 3 grand to spend a org. MIA from the 70's would pop up sooner or latter. IMO if ya just want a good example of that for playing purposes ,get a slightly used MIM . about 650$ there abouts used.

Am I looking at it all wrong?
Hard ? for me to answer , some people like to have the org. MIA models of their fav. guitars from the era or year of production. IMO they cost more than they are worth , all the vintage guitars do IMO.
I was never one to get to involved with the vintage market. But do have some friends that where . At one time only pre CBS where selling high and sought after, then a decade latter CBS from what ?,65-mid 72 where costing more and 73- to the end of CBS where not considered worth while. Now they are as well ,still sell way less than a pre CBS but, its crazy IMO. Because I believe a person can find a great player from current production models, Reg Standard or the various classic (RI) series. Without spending alot.

So by all means if you would like a real MIA and have the money to spend go for it. If thats what ya want who's to say your wrong.

I think in the last year i have seen 2 from the 70s one sold for just over 3 grand another 4300$ if I remember right. There is a blue book that has vintage guitar worth listed. IDK if ya checked on line if there is a site to view that stuff?

fenson · December 29th, 2009, 12:02 AM

Amazon.com: 2009 Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide: The Only Complete Guide! (0884088249267): Alan Greenwood, Gil Hembree: Books

found this you can look on your own for anymore. Good luck.

Offshore Angler · December 30th, 2009, 06:19 AM

You need to know this - The Wide Range Humbuckers in the 70's were fantastic pickups. The ones built today are generally reviled as some of the worst pickups Fender ever made. They sound nothing like the originals. If you look on eBay you can from time to time score an original but they will cost a lot more than the guitar you are looking to buy.

If you are dead-set on a WRHB Tele, there is some good news. Some people will take the stock Fender units available and rebuild them to vintage specs. Telenators are the best I've played.

Telenator Musical Electronics LLC threaded magnet pickup technology

They are pricey, but is you want the real WRHB sound they're the only authentic sounding ones I've used.

fenson · December 30th, 2009, 10:26 AM

WRHB great pickups , a matter of personal prefrence . I never thought they where any thing special.

Brad L · December 30th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenson

72 RI Fender Telecaster Thinline MATCHING BLUES JR AMP - eBay (item 150399320475 end time Dec-30-09 14:55:34 PST) this is interesting I don't shop ebay but looks like a deal!

does anyone know where you can get those kinda white/cream chickenhead knobs. I have been looking for some exactly like those, I have seen some on AllParts, but they were super white. I am looking for a duller more creamy/vintage look, like in this ebay ad.
Oh another side note to help with you finding a thinline. You could always go the Warmoth route. Unless you wanted an original, then ignore this comment.

fenson · December 30th, 2009, 04:47 PM

Amp Knobs scrowl down aways for them.

Brad L · December 31st, 2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenson

Amp Knobs scrowl down aways for them.

sweet thanks a lot

Strat-Man-Do · February 7th, 2010, 01:53 AM

Fender built a USA American Series/Standard Tele-Thinline Production model back in the late 90's. They come up on E-Bay and could be bought for $1000+. Their very nice, and you don't see them often. But they do appear now and then on ebay. Many players didn't like the bridge on the American Series/Standard. I have no problem with it. This is a 2000

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Boris Bubbanov · February 7th, 2010, 02:30 AM

Great pictures, Strat Man Do!

I'm not a fan of the Am Series saddle and bridge on this double bound Thinline, but I promise I'd rather have this than the '72 MIM Thinline "Reissue" for the reasons of the pickups alone, or the tuners alone.

yeah, these reissue "Mild Rangers" just aggravate me a lot. And don't be fooled into thinking they will pass at Guitar Shop sound levels. It is when you turn them up that you really see the problem. The difference between "Mexican Quality" and USA Quality is of almost no consequence, compared to these two glaring faults against this '72 Thinline or its sister in crime, the '72 Deluxe. Really frustrating, as the guitars are otherwise nice AND there's Classic Player and Road Worn versions now as well which beckon but will not put out.

67Strat · February 8th, 2010, 10:29 PM

Used is the way to go if you want a newer Thinline, they don't bring much used and you can mod the pups. I've owned a few of the newer 69 & 72 and all were well built. But yeah the fake WRHB are the issue for most. Though I was never big on the originals either, I yanked mine out and put a set of Gibson 490 R\T in it. But don't pay 9 hundo for one, I had mine on craigs for a month before someone offered me $400 for it. Which I accepted since I traded a MIJ Strat for it that I paid $270 for.

Fender's recent price hikes haven't carried over into the used market. Sellers that think they gained some appreciation are mistaken because the used market has been soft since the economy tanked. Buy used and save.

Oh yeah, in the event you do buy new I wouldn't let anyone in Guitar Center take a file to my guitar.

Strat-Man-Do · February 9th, 2010, 02:58 PM

I think Fender lost their mind with those price's. And your right, friend of mine has a American Standard Strat. Red/Maple. He can't get $700. on Ebay for it. But its the older Standard with the Zinc bridge.

Hell even the 08 and up are only bringing $800. used. The guys trying for $1G are not selling but re-listing and re-listing.

The Wide-Range originals were designed by Seth Lover. You have to tweak the **** out them to get them sounding right. But they are a far cry from RIs.

Strat-Man-Do · February 9th, 2010, 03:02 PM

BTW Guiter Center working on guitars? Ya right, they do on-line applications for techs. Do you realize most do not even know how to do set-ups. Never mind fret work.

But you know what I think that was about. Back around 04-05 I would go to GC and come across a Strat or whatever with a buckle in the PG or a knob and tip missing. They had no choice then but to give you a discount. And the discounts were usually decent.

As of recently thats not happening. Bad as the tecks are, least they could add a PG or a knob and keep the price normal. They've gotta a lot harder to with though.

Boris Bubbanov · February 9th, 2010, 07:43 PM

Good to hear some honest talk here.

Some folks, I don't know if they're trying to help Fender, or they're trying to help a friend out with an American Standard that won't sell, but they keep right on telling people that the USA is the one to buy strictly because of high retained value. That was once true but right today, it is wishful thinking or it is intentional bunkum.

These are probably the same people that told me over and over, don't buy that '71 Tele Thinline or dusty old NOS CBS Jazzmaster no-body seemed to want. I listened; I don't know why.

67Strat · February 11th, 2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

I think Fender lost their mind with those price's. And your right, friend of mine has a American Standard Strat. Red/Maple. He can't get $700. on Ebay for it. But its the older Standard with the Zinc bridge.

Hell even the 08 and up are only bringing $800. used. The guys trying for $1G are not selling but re-listing and re-listing.

Yeah he's gonna have a tough time getting that out of his Strat. There really isn't anything special about the ASS and cheap used ones are plentiful. A few years ago I scored a deal on some gear, pd $700 for a ASS, Traynor YCV40, a bunch of stands, some cheapy Crate amp, cabling, straps and a few beat up BOSS stompers. It turned out not to be such a great deal, I made a little money on it but not much. I couldn't give that Strat away. It was a choice 02 tobacco burst, original case, the works. It brought $500 on Ebay, I had it on craigs for more than month without a nibble. Crazy because I was getting $600 plus for some of the modded MIM Classic stuff I was flipping at the time.

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · February 11th, 2010, 01:35 PM

Main Street Guitars Semi Hollow Body Telecaster Electric Guitar

That link is to a page that shows the Main Street thinline copy. It's really a mix between a thinline tele and a Les Paul, its got the lp radius finger board with binding and it's neck-through-body instead of bolt on. It has a really really good sound but the tuners and bridge needed a serious upgrade. I love mine.

Strat-Man-Do · February 11th, 2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67Strat

Yeah he's gonna have a tough time getting that out of his Strat. There really isn't anything special about the ASS and cheap used ones are plentiful. A few years ago I scored a deal on some gear, pd $700 for a ASS, Traynor YCV40, a bunch of stands, some cheapy Crate amp, cabling, straps and a few beat up BOSS stompers. It turned out not to be such a great deal, I made a little money on it but not much. I couldn't give that Strat away. It was a choice 02 tobacco burst, original case, the works. It brought $500 on Ebay, I had it on craigs for more than month without a nibble. Crazy because I was getting $600 plus for some of the modded MIM Classic stuff I was flipping at the time.

I like that model Traynor. Thats a 12 with 40 watts no? Came in a 210 and a 112? I know I played both but I can't remember the exact model #. I thought they were worth the $$$ though.

Craigs is a tough sell with MIA gear. I've made many more sales with MIM and Squiers.

Pay-Pal I just about had it with. Thats set up strickly for the buyer now.

strat.tenor · February 12th, 2010, 11:20 AM

Saw one of these at my local store and it changed my life. I picked it up and was looking at it and the store repair guy said - "Hey, that's my guitar!" Beautiful piece.

Sadly, I'm a lefty, so they aren't available to me. But I'm building one of my own with this guitar in mind.

I play a little righty (you do that as a lefty), and this one had a fine neck, good action and no buzzing. If you like this guitar, sounds like you just found a bad one. I've been very impressed with the necks on MIMs. I didn't notice if the one I fell in love with was an MIM, but I'll take your word for it. The repair guy just smiled at it. Can't believe the pups are that bad in all of them. I say keep looking and you'll find a sweet one.

Good luck.