69 Telecaster? Hopefully

[fendersteve]

Ok I have had in my posession for the last 25 years or more my beloved Fender Telecaster, A few years back I took it to a local guitar shop and they said it was marked Dec 69 on the base of the neck.
these are the numbers on the various bits. Its a maple neck and natural wood finish, I suspect it may have originaly been Blonde.

PAT 2.753.254 3.143.028 On the head stock
230327 on the rear neck plate with a big F logo on it.

There are some numbers below the bridge pickup but due to some old fashioned rust I cannot quite make them out (I need a magnifying glass)

When i bought it the neck pickup was missing and there was a horrid home made steel scratch guard fitted so I have replaced the pickup with a modern one and put a black scratch guard on it (20 years ago)
Any Ideas on what I may have? and its possible worth?

[VintAxe]

Hi fendersteve,

Your neck plate number is consistant with a 1969 production date. Given you have owned the guitar for 25 years, it likely is a 1969.

Putting a value on a guitar like yours that has been heavily modified is difficult. An unmodified 1969 Telecaster Standard in blond finish and maple neck is valued between $5,000 to $7,500 USD in the U.S. market. The mods will probably cut those values in half. However, given you are in the U.K. values will probably be somewhat higher for a Telecaster compared to U.S. prices.

If your Tele is a beloved guitar I assume you are not interested in selling it anyway. For insurance purposes, something between $3,000 - $4,000 USD should probably get the job done.

[fendersteve]

Thanks for the quick reply,

Do you consider a replacemant scratch guard and pickup as heavily modifed?

I was thinking of trying to put it back to original by spending some money on a 69 scratch guard and pickup.

[VintAxe]

I don't see the scratchplate as a big deal, but the replaced neck pu is a big deal. Also, the refinish hurts the value significantly. It would be better if the guitar was refinished to a 1969 stock color rather than the natural finish it has now.

The most expensive 1969 colors are:
Sonic Blue ($8,000-$10,000)
Teal Green ($8,000-$10,000)
Foam Green ($8,000-$9,000)
Firemist Silver or Gold ($8,000-$9,000)

You can certainly increase the value of your instrument by returning the neck pu to stock and having it professionally refinished.

The authors of the Price Guide suggest that a refinished guitar, regardless of the quality of the job, will reduce price guide values by 50%. So, the single best thing you can do to increase value is replace the pickup.

Thanks for the picture, it is a lovely natural top. Unfortunately values are closely tied to originality.

[fendersteve]

Thanks again for the info.

i have to say the that the guitar is something i would not sell so value is for insurance only.

It plays fantastically and the tone from the Bridge pickup is wonderfull.

I bought it from guy that was in desperate need for some cash around 25 years ago for £80 Sterling so i'm happy.

I'll certainly replace the neck pickup for my own satisfaction and for the great sound i'll get.

And Hey! It's getting older every year. So what an investment.

[sneakypete]

ask these questions over at the TDPRI site too.