MIJ Teles

[db62]

Apologies if this is a repeat of a previous thread. I'm looking at some mid-80s MIJ teles. While I know the difference between the CIJ (more recent) and the MIJ, and while I appreciate that everyone's experience varies, what is the general opinion of the mid 80s MIJ teles?? I sadly sold my early 70s tele years ago and now want to replace it without spending 4 grand.
Thanks!

[suttree]

i don't think japan has yet released a bad guitar line.... i've never played any MIJ or CIJ that i thought was a clunker (not to my tastes maybe, but always well made), including the squier stuff.

[Ti-Ron]

+1 on that! My CIJ Strat can beat up any MIA one!
They are great bang fot the buck!

[shoretyus]

There's a beauty on Ebay in Kitchener

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1985-Fender-Telecaster-Custom-62-RI-MIJ-Japan-MOJO-NR_W0QQitemZ160233584529QQihZ006QQcategoryZ2384QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


and a nice deluxe in Ottawa
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/5552437

and this beauty... nice looking axe..

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-FS-FT-ASAP-Boss-ME-50-Hamer-335-Shark-Witch-Custom-Tele-W0QQAdIdZ46281948

[db62]

Thanks - appreciate your opinions.

[hoser]

a lot of the 1980's mij tele's are made out of basswood, and, in my opinion, are the best tele's fender ever made.
I have an 89, I've never played one better, not US or MIM.

[sneakypete]

I`ve read they exported a lot of basswood, but they`ve made them out of sen, ash and/or alder since day one. I have two `85s and a 1989 Esquire that I like a lot. Most of my MIJ Fenders are strats and I have some real nice ones...they made some excellent guitars. If you go for a JV be prepared to spend for them, they`ve become collectable. They did make some great stuff in the 90s too...custom editions and ExTrads for example. Shops did and still do order custom mades that don`t show up in catalogs and sometimes are completely unknown outside the country. If you`re after MIJ from that era don`t over look Grecos or Fernandes...Tokais are so sought after now that prices have gotten out of hand for the most part. There was a lot of crap too so be careful if buying on line.

[LowWatt]

I just picked up a 1983 MIJ Squier Tele in a trade about a month ago. It is part of the SQ series, meaning that it has an Ash body, the 70's look and USA hardware. It is almost a one piece body (two inches at the top of the body are a different piece of wood and it looks and plays beautifully.

The only thing I didn't like were the pickups and someone had put in a TBX tone system at some point. For under $100, I replaced the pots with CTS, the caps with Mallory, and the pickups with custom wound JS Moores.

Now this guitar is perfect in every way and everything in, I havent spent over $550 on it.

For the early 80s MIJ guitars, the key serial numbers to look for start with JV (50s/60s) and SQ (70s). This site is a goldmine for information http://www.21frets.com/

[LowWatt]

I don't know anything about the seller, but this one looks interesting :
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/oak/msg/660654182.html

[db62]

Really appreciate all the feedback my questions have generated. Thanks!

[fraser]

I just picked up a 1983 MIJ Squier Tele in a trade about a month ago. It is part of the SQ series, meaning that it has an Ash body, the 70's look and USA hardware. It is almost a one piece body (two inches at the top of the body are a different piece of wood and it looks and plays beautifully.

The only thing I didn't like were the pickups and someone had put in a TBX tone system at some point. For under $100, I replaced the pots with CTS, the caps with Mallory, and the pickups with custom wound JS Moores.

Now this guitar is perfect in every way and everything in, I havent spent over $550 on it.

For the early 80s MIJ guitars, the key serial numbers to look for start with JV (50s/60s) and SQ (70s). This site is a goldmine for information http://www.21frets.com/


i have an 83 sq series strat. nitro finished neck. incredible feeling guitar. very light and resonant- bought it in mint condition around 1995 at a guitar store for $150. its a keeper for sure.

[SCREEM]

you may want to check one of the newer ones like mine, I'm in awe after recently comparing it to a couple MIA's of the same model, CIJ's high end stuff in fanaticly crafted at half the price, trick is you have to find them used, they are not for export

http://guitarscanada.com/Board/showthread.php?t=11069

[Ti-Ron]

You got tha ONE! Too beautiful! I think I will find myself a friend who's livin' in japan to send me that guitar and hummm a Edwards too! :P

[db62]

SCREEM, gorgeous guitar. I checked out the ubox site and have to admit it takes some getting used to.