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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Verifying vintage Tele body and finish

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8/27/1999 4:05 PM
Doug B	Verifying vintage Tele body and finish I'm looking at purchasing a '67 Tele and would like to know if there is a way to verify an original finish and body on an older Tele (or Strat for that matter).

8/27/1999 8:58 PM

Go here:

http://www.amug.org/~necro/clay/fenderc.html

Click on "Fender Custom Colors". There's a very detailed article on Fender finishes and some tips on spotting refinished instruments. Hopefully, you will be allowed to remove the pickguard and control plate to inspect the finish, wiring, etc.

The rest of the site has lots of information vintage Fender cases, serial numbers, neck plates, logos...everything you should check for if you're planning to spend some real money on an old Fender.

8/31/1999 8:14 PM

Doug:

As shown in the article per moocow's link, the easiest way to tell if the paint is original is to look into the extra nail holes (holes made by tacking in a few finishing nails to be used as legs when the body was put on a table face down for painting the back). Since the holes were always occupied by nails until the finish was dry, there shouldn't be any paint down in the nail holes. There could be polishing compound, but there should be no color in there if the compound is carefully picked out.

9/5/1999 4:35 PM
nic	Or check the solder joints... This article is really good. i wish I had known about it sooner.

9/7/1999 2:25 PM
Doc	How does that tell you that the body is not original?

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