Inherited a Vintage 52 Telecaster.

[Royal]

A few weeks ago, a close cousin of mine passed away. After the funeral, his brothers offered me the pick from his guitar collection. I chose his Telecaster as it was among his favorites.

Owning this guitar, which was near and dear to his heart, has re-inspired me to continue learning to play. Now to just find the time.

[mcquinn]

Nice axe.I always have to make a new aquisition every so often to get reinspired.Enjoy it.

[BillyBlack]

Nothing I'd even touch. I hate to say it, but I'd be sellling it. Looking at maybe 50K, at least, depending on the condition.

[mcquinn]

The 52 had the triangular neck and the pickup switching was wired different than modern day tele's.They also came with the nifty ashtray bridge cover which very few people used for some reason.I guess they like the twang you get from picking at the bridge.

[Royal]

@Billyblack
Well, The Vintage 52 telecaster is one of the longest running production models there is. Because it is a Vintage 52, does not mean it was made in 52. Can't really call them reissues either as they never stopped making this particular model of Telecasters.

I believe this particular guitar was made around 25 years ago. It is in mint condition. I love the gloss black finish on it, only wish it didn't show finger prints as bad.

Talking about expensive guitars. My father in law had a legit flawless 1950 Gibson hollow body electric. It's style was that of a Byrdland. You know, the guitar Ted Nugent is famously known for playing. Well, the Gibson my father in law had was blonde which made it worth much more. We researched it and found it to be valued at over $60,000. My wife and I then asked him if he still had it, and much to our surprise he said he gave it away. He didn't think it was worth anything. As he paid $400 dollars for it. He bought it used in the early 50s, off a fellow Sailor while he was in the Navy. We thought about telling him how much he gave away, but did not want to give him a heart attack. Luckily it fell in to the hands of a relative, just not the right relative. (Rolling on the floor kicking and screaming)

[Royal]

Originally Posted by mcquinn

The 52 had the triangular neck and the pickup switching was wired different than modern day tele's.They also came with the nifty ashtray bridge cover which very few people used for some reason.I guess they like the twang you get from picking at the bridge.

Yep you know the 52 well. I particularly like this one as it has the humbucker in the neck position. It gives it a lower warm beefier sound in that position, a nice change from the twang that comes from the single pup at the bridge. With the switch in the middle position, using both Pups sounds very nice as well, a mixture of the best of both. The asymmetrical neck provides for more string spacing than is found on my strat, which for me, the beginner is great, as I don't short out strings as easily.

Not sure I like the ash tray bridge, or the saddles. Just seems harder to adjust the intonation to me. But I am used to the Stratocaster setup, so I guess in time it will grow on me. We could not find the cover for the ashtray bridge, guess my cousin lost it or threw it away. Don't know if it really does anything or not other than aesthetics. I am sure I could order one, but don't see the need. I looked up famous players who play this guitar, and the pictures I see, none of them are using the cover either.

One thing else I will say, this guitar is super heavy compared to my Strat.
It has a much thicker body, lot more wood to be lugging around. So I guess it gives me an idea of what it will be like to shoulder up to a Gibson Les Paul. You know that they say. "No Pain, No Gain"

I still want me a Gibson Les Paul. But not so much now. Having this Tele is special to me, because (1), it belonged to my cousin. and (2), because I have heard it played by him, who was an awesome player, and I know how good it can sound.

A lot of the Blues greats were partial to Teles, Muddy Waters played a Telecaster for one. As for Rock and classic Rock, Tom Petty I believe also plays mostly Telecasters, and is also a favorite of Keith Richards to name a couple. Makes for a great Country sound as well.

Edit: I can think of one thing the ash tray cover would serve a purpose for. An arm/palm rest. Strike that. Just read on a telecaster forum that it only gets in the way. Most people who use them only place the covers on when it is stored, for looks only, they take them off when they play.

[Jim Davis]

Originally Posted by Royal

@Billyblack
Well, The Vintage 52 telecaster is one of the longest running production models there is. Because it is a Vintage 52, does not mean it was made in 52. Can't really call them reissues either as they never stopped making this particular model of Telecasters.

I believe this particular guitar was made around 25 years ago. It is in mint condition. I love the gloss black finish on it, only wish it didn't show finger prints as bad.

I know nothing about Guitars, but it looks great. As far as your discussion goes, it's neither here nor there. It came from someone close to you that you lost. That makes it priceless.

[BillyBlack]

A lot of the Blues greats were partial to Teles, Muddy Waters played a Telecaster for one. As for Rock and classic Rock, Tom Petty I believe also plays mostly Telecasters, and is also a favorite of Keith Richards to name a couple. Makes for a great Country sound as well.

Probably cuz they were cheaper.

I found the transition from Gibsons/humbuckers in rock interesting, the Strats just took over. The Heavy metal dudes do like their humbuckers though.

BTW I think it was Jeff Beck who first pulled the covers off his Gibson's humbuckers.

[mcquinn]

The extra weight equals extra mass which is supposed to mean more sustain.Thats how they get the steel guitar sound from the tele's with single coils at the neck.I wish I had some of the guitars used to have and got rid of for financial reasons.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by BillyBlack

BTW I think it was Jeff Beck who first pulled the covers off his Gibson's humbuckers.

Humbuckers are just two single coiled pickups connected in series and coupled out of phase.
They can be in either the traditional opened coil version or covered. Taking the covers off a covered Humbucker can be messy as the covered ones are mostly packed with wax. It is much easier to just replace them with open coils if that is what is desired. Yes Gibsons are known for having covered humbuckers, but it all comes down to personal choice and they are easily replaced. My Strat has an open coiled humbucker at the bridge. I personally like the looks of the nickel plated covers on the humbuckers better than open styled. Open covered humbuckers tend to have a brighter sound. Yea, I believe it was Seymour Duncan who made the first open covered humbuckers for Jeff Beck and put them on a Telelcaster. Seymour put two humbuckers on it for him. The bridge pickup he called the JB for Jeff Beck, while the one he made and placed in the neck position he called the JH for John Milner, which was the characters name in the movie American Graffiti. You may remember John Milner was the guy with the yellow Hot rod. Seymour named this pickup the JM because it produced a Hot Rod sound, and Jeff Beck apparently liked Hot Rods.
Here is a video of Seymour Duncan talking about this. Interesting.

Seymour Duncan - Creating his first humbucker with Jeff Beck - YouTube

Seymour Duncan - Creating his first humbucker with Jeff Beck - YouTube

Seymour Duncan makes some of the best Pickups money can buy.

Stratocasters and Telecasters both run about the same in cost, non of them are cheap, dime store wise.

There are many guitars out there that are just as good as a Gibson. I think one of the main reasons why Gibsons are as costly as they are, is in part, you are paying for the name. But what the heck, there are very few good things still made in America. Gibson Les Pauls are one of them. Last I heard, I think even the Fender American Strats are now made in Mexico.

Les Pauls lends themselves perfectly to Rock and Roll as the overall tonal quality of the guitar is a perfect compliment for power chords.
But as with any good electric guitar, they are all very versatile, as a lot depends on amp and guitar settings, whether you are running clean or crunch, overdrive modes, and with pedal settings such as Hot rod, British, Metal, Acoustic, Jazz, Tweed, Backstage etc, and effects such as reverb, delay tremolo, flange, chorus etc.
Just to paint a picture. It can sound like an acoustic guitar one minute, and a chainsaw the next. Of course if you are after a certain style of play, then you will want to have a guitar that is best for that style.
Just because you can come close to mimicking the sound you want from other guitars, to the learned ear, if it isn't spot on, it doesn't cut the mustard.
Come to think of it, I can't remember a single concert where the lead guitarist played the same guitar throughout the whole show. But they are professional musicians making big money to play, so their sound has to be spot on.

For the average Joe who just enjoys jamming at home, one guitar should suffice. But I hate that word; suffice. I want them all.

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

I know nothing about Guitars, but it looks great. As far as your discussion goes, it's neither here nor there. It came from someone close to you that you lost. That makes it priceless.

I agree Jim, someone could offer me ten times what it is worth and I would not take it. Sentimental value means more to me than gold.