Author Topic: Fender Japanese Teles, Reputation? Any Good? (Read 10143 times)

Crazy Gra · « **on:** May 31, 2006, 03:13:26 AM »

I'm hoping you guys can help me out a little. I have the Tele bug badly but I refuse to pay the silly prices dealers want in Australia for new ones.

I've seen a Jap Tele for sale which I've dated by the serial number as 1993-94. It's in absolutely mint condition and is a "Target burst" finish. It plays like a dream also and as far as I can see is hardly worn at all.

I believe Jap Fenders to be good quality instruments (and this one certainly fits the mold) but is the early 90's a "good" era for Jap Fenders? ie If I fall out of love with it later on will it be something that buyers want?

The owner wants 500 pounds for it, does that seem a fair price?

Please help me spend my $ :D

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2006, 03:16:40 AM »

i have no idea, i just felt like typing :D sorry

Searcher · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2006, 06:42:06 AM »

I think the Jap Fenders have always been good quality, but £500 seems a bit steep, unless there's something extra special and/or collectable about it.

You should be able to hunt a Japanese Tele down for that price in USD, let alone pounds.

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2006, 06:43:16 AM »

i think that might be australia money, however, i could be wrong-usually am

Searcher · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2006, 06:57:16 AM »

I know Gra is in Australia, but I'm talking in $US because it's a kinda common denominator for a lot of online shopping.

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2006, 06:58:23 AM »

cept there is a huu-U-uuge difference between US an AUS money .... i think

Searcher · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:03:58 AM »

Quote from: CaffeineJunkie

cept there is a huu-U-uuge difference between US an AUS money .... i think

Yeah, Aussie dollars have more colours. ;)

Actually, it's not nearly as huge as the gap between the AUD and the pound. Anyways, I think Gra will understand what I was saying. Though you never know, I've been unclear before. In any case, Gra said that he was avoiding stuff from Oz, which means he'll most likely be shopping in USD or pounds.

CaffeineJunkie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:05:17 AM »

probably, he did mention pounds after all, and aussies use dollars, so ya neva know

38thBeatle · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:30:42 AM »

If it is £ sterling then that does seem to be a lot- if it is Aus $ then seems good. I can't comment too much as I have not too much experience of Jap Tele's however I have a Jap Strat and it is extremely well put together and the hardware on it is good quality- certainly equal to my USA Strat. I think the only weakness is the electrics- not so much the pups, but the pots and switches. If it is a good guitar then with a Tele you can fix any quirks by replacing those things.

Searcher · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2006, 07:37:51 AM »

Here's one from the US for ya:

Tele

This guy has at least two up for sale right now. Nice looking guitars.

Jp. · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2006, 08:11:40 AM »

Geez Gra thats huge....

You can buy a second hand US one for that

mikeluke · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2006, 10:12:47 AM »

I would agree that £500 (that is Pounds Sterling) is a lot to pay for a Jap Tele - they often fetch more than the Jap Strats though (rarer??) - I would have expected more in the £300-400 range - there is a nice cream one on eBay at the moment for £300 (buy it now price)

Tellboy · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2006, 10:48:36 AM »

I have a 50th Anniversary (1996) Jap Tele which I picked up in a local music shop for £325 including a Fender hard case. The guitar (and case) had definitely been gigged a lot and was not in pristine condition but I really like it. I've always been a Gibson player (Two SGs and a Les Paul) but there is something about a Tele. I have fitted a Boss set on it and it is amazing - so crude yet so versatile - can go from typical Tele country twang into almost humbucker territory with the Boss set (especially with a 4 way switch which gives a 'series' pickup position) and it's built like a tank - no worries about headstock or neck joint breaks like my SGs.

jt · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2006, 11:57:38 AM »

:D Jap Strats & Teles had a good reputation from the early 90`s. If you come across one there worth getting. BUT £500 [$1000 US ] sterling is way way over the top. You should look to pay £250 to £300 sterling maybe a bit more but not much.

Check Ebay out.

:D 8)

Crazy Gra · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:41:35 PM »

Thanks guy's, I suspected it may have been over priced. He's rejected an offer of 425 quid ($1000 Aus) from someone else already. (I've been working the currency back to pounds from Aussie $). He will "accept" $1250 Aus (that's 500 quid). It seems 400 quid is more it's going rate, and that's top $.

But here's an example of Fender Australia's attempted GOUGING that I was talking about.

American Series Standard Tele.

To summarise and this is ALL IN US $

US street price $950
UK street price $1259
AUS "discounted" street price $1438 Or you can pay the Fender Australia GOUGING RRP of $1828.

Remember all of the above is in $US, so the playing field is level.

So I've got to spend almost $500 US more to get the same thing in Australia do I? How much is freight anyway and custom clearence (no duty anymore). And if I paid Fender Australia's ridiculous price I'd be shelling out $878 US more. I could probably buy TWO in the US for $1828 US!!! :shock:

Fender Australia need a damn good booting (Bart Simpson style)! And they can stick their Teles! I hope I can find a good s/h one!

Rant over and excuse me. Oh and thanks for the replies.