NGD - 1985 MIJ Tele - slight issue - Pic heavy

JordanD · Post by **JordanD** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:40 pm

So, I snapped this up from a guy on gumtree, at a really low price and it got delivered today.

It's a 1985 MIJ Telecaster 62 reissue. Much like the one for sale in the classifieds at the moment.

It has a fair few knocks and scrapes but knowing what these are potentially worth, I snatched it up after a nice conversation with him.
It's got the pencil date on the neck, as well as an "A" serial number on the bridge. It has all the usual markings one would expect inside the neck pocket. There is also a shim in the front of the pocket that doesn't want to go anywhere. This guitar is all original as far as I can tell and is let down only by the pickups and issues that I'll explain below.

I've restrung and started to set up the guitar but have noticed a couple of issues : first of all, the bridge and/or neck seems out of allignment as there is a big taper between where my "high e" starts and then ends on the fretboard, basically it's too far "in".

Also, the "low E" is 'too far out (man)".

I hope this picture explains what I mean :

I've read online I can just loosen the strings and neck bolts then "pull" the neck in the right direction and re-bolt. Is this legit? Sounds dodge.

Also there seems to be quite a bit of excess neck pocket again pic below. I'm not sure this is cause for concern though, maybe someone can chime in:

Anyways, it still plays surprisingly well but would love to hear how to get this playing a lot better!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:51 pm

Yep, worthless. I'll give you a tenner for it.

I wouldn't worry about the gap, but the alignment issue seems odd. Might just be a matter of getting the neck seated righting there. I suppose another option might be to shim it sort of around the corner from where a shim would normally go.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:02 pm

That shim's in a funny place - the opposite end of the neck pocket from where you'd expect. That neck bolt fix (loosen the neck screws a bit, yank the neck towards you hard, don't be alarmed if you hear a fairly nasty-sounding crack) is legit and works, but is more of a sustain than an alignment thing, in my experience.

I don't think the excess pocket is too much to be alarmed about, but (and brace yourself for this, but I've always found it a help, friendly and insightful forum): register at TDPRI and make the same thread there.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:10 pm

It's a gorgeous thing by the way.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:15 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:It's a gorgeous thing by the way.

yeah dude

HELLA JEALOUS

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:21 pm

Aye, that too. HOTTIE.

JordanD · Post by **JordanD** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:22 pm

Thanks guys, it really is lovely, I'll post over at TDPRI but... I've just loosened the neck, shifted it and re-tightened the bolt and it looks miles better.

Regarding the shim, I know it's in the opposite end but I've tried my best to pick at it but it doesn't seem to wanna budge.

cur · Post by **cur** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:39 pm

I've read online I can just loosen the strings and neck bolts then "pull" the neck in the right direction and re-bolt. Is this legit? Sounds dodge.

take heal of hand and pop neck in the direction you want it to go. don't really have to loosen anything. but if it makes you feel better, loosen screws one turn first. then tighten up again.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:37 pm

Thought of Andy Summers straight away. Nice score Jordan.

P.S. If you are a thrasher, watch your forearm on that binding.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:43 pm

That's a sweet looking thing. But I really liked the font used on the serial numbers on the neck

torchindy · Post by **torchindy** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:48 pm

Double-bound teles are sweeeeet. And hard to find nowadays.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:06 pm

Fran wrote:Thought of Andy Summers straight away. Nice score Jordan.

John Fruisciante for me.

Keep coming back to this thread to have a wee ogle.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:09 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:Keep coming back to this thread to have a wee ogle.

aye innit

JordanD · Post by **JordanD** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:14 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:
Fran wrote:Thought of Andy Summers straight away. Nice score Jordan.
John Fruisciante for me.

Keep coming back to this thread to have a wee ogle.

Aye, wanted one of these since I was 17, was really into the chili peppers then.