O/T...this one's for the guitarists.

[Donzie]

I just picked this up yesterday. According to the serial number it's either a '74, '75 or '76 Fender Tele. All original.
Here's the story.
8 years ago a friend and fellow guitarist was killed while coming home from a gig at 3am. A few miles out of town, on a country road (remember, it's 3 in the morning) his van is T-boned by some kids that run a stop sign. Dave was killed instantly and his passenger and band mate was seriouly injured. The odds that they would cross that intersection at the same time has gotta be more than a million to one.
I recently found out that his common-law wife (they had been together for 24 years) was selling his guitar and amp. I knew her but hadn't seen her in quite some time. She had put them in a local music store on consignment. I contacted her and asked her if she would pull them out, I would buy the guitar directly from her. In return I would help her sell the amp on Ebay (the music store was taking a 25% commission). She agreed and the guitar is now mine. She was very happy to have someone that knew Dave now own his guitar.
Dave was not only a great player but a great person as well. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about him. He always had a smile on his face. He loved music, NASCAR and rode Harleys. She still has his '56 Pan that he restored...and she rides it! Plus she has a sportster of her own.
And just so you know, I didn't get a "great deal". I paid her the price she was asking. But what I did get was something much better.
I appologize to those who feel this story doesn't belong here. I just wanted to share it with my friends.

[burndup]

Nice. And the guitar is bitchin, too!

[Jkustom]

right on man. I know what it means to have something like that. Like having a piece of your friend there.... Congrats. -J.

[Tman]

Looking at that guitar, I can see that it has LIFE in it!

[bradberry00]

Tele's kick ass.....even the cheap Squire ones sound pretty good.....so that one has to have tone that doesnt quit....I want it....

an old 50's telecaster (or were they still called broadcasters then?) is real close to the top of my list of wanted guitars...

[Sean]

Nice Tele. The serial number should start with "S" for the 70's decade and the first number will give you the exact year. You can acutally break it down further to the month, if you wanted too.

[fab32]

Great score Donzie. I'll have to hear you play it sometime. It's always nice to have something personal from someone you were close to after they are gone.

Frank

[Munson]

Beautiful rig, and its good that someone who cares ended up with it!!

I need a tele,
j

[zonkola]

To me, Telecasters have the same bone-simple, stripped down appeal as a highboy Ford. If I had to sell all but one of my guitars, my Tele would be the last one standing.

[burndup]

Tele's make me sad... I can afford the $300 Squier one, I just would never buy it after playing and hearing the $1500 repro model...

some day, garage sale...

I have a late '30's Gibson accoustic that my parents grabbed out of a neighbors trash pile... so it does happen!

[fuel pump]

Nice story Donnie. I'm glad that you ended up with that. I'm sure it means a lot to you.

[Fat Hack]

Nice to know such a tragic story can have a somewhat happy ending...your friend's spirit will live on in your heart everytime you play his guitar...and I'm sure he'd be happy to see it in your hands!

I fell in love with Blonde (yellow to outsiders!) Telecasters about the same time I fell in love with Charlotte Caffey (The Eyes, The Go-Gos, The Graces, Belinda Carlisle). She played this Tele throughout the 80s, along with a natural wood Les Paul and an occasional Gibson SG.

Back in 92, I bought a Blonde Tele exactly like the one pictured here for a SUPER bargain price...$350 new at a rinky dink music store I just happened to be passing by...they were tired of seeing it hang on the wall!

Probably the prettiest guitar I ever owned, but it never had the 'feel' I look for. Guess I was ruined by my old Gibson SG, and never could make friends with a Fender! (Till I found a pink Strat that fit like a part of me a year or so later).

Thanks for sharing, Don. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[choprods]

I built this one - http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.giflike a hot rod from TRAD parts!
Bruce Sprigsteen plays one most of the time.

[Donzie]

Thanks guys. Yeah, there was alot of emotion tied with this guitar. For some reason I just knew I had to have it. I'm not the player Dave was but at least he knows it's in good hands.
As far as the year of it. It has the large "F" on the neck plate with a serial number of 631813. Also on the butt of the neck (with is really hard to read) the last digit is 5.
I looked thru my book and according to the info on this web page (http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html)
it's a 75.
F-Series (late 1965 to mid-1976) (big script "F" on neckplate below serial number):
100000 to 110000 = late 1965
110000 to 200000 = 1966
180000 to 210000 = 1967
210000 to 250000 = 1968
250000 to 280000 = 1969
280000 to 300000 = 1970
300000 to 330000 = 1971
330000 to 370000 = 1972
370000 to 520000 = 1973
500000 to 580000 = 1974
580000 to 690000 = 1975
690000 to 750000 = 1976

[krupanut]

Good story Donzie, nice telly, glad it stayed in the "familly".

Now is there going to by some chicken pickin' on the next three penny revue album?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Bluesfella]

That's a great guitar! I love the worn-in look, adds so much character.

I bought an '89 Strat that looks very similar, blond color, worn-in look...from a blues musician in California. Best guitar I've ever played...

You did a good thing, I'll bet your friend's wife is comforted by the fact that you have the guitar now.

[Donzie]

I have a California series Strat that I just put on Ebay. Didn't really want to sell it but I have to, to help cover some of the cost of the Tele.
Ebay listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3723662458&ssPageName= ADME:B:LC:US:1)

[John_Kelly]

My first high quality guitar was a Telecaster...in about 1970...wish I still had it, like a lot of the guitars I've had. Happy with my "The Heritage" jazz box now.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com (http://www.ghiaspecialties.com)