Nocaster- fit and finish?

[dlmjr2]

So I'm getting a Nocaster relic tomorrow, I know what to expect as far as tone but just wondering what these are like as far as fit and finish? fret work, etc?

[Kmaz]

In my experience, excellent fit and finish. Stellar guitar!

[jrmgtrplyr]

my CS `54 Tele (which is really a Nocaster with lighter finish and telecaster decal) is a magical and exceptional guitar in all regards including fit and finish. Neck pocket is as tight as can be, frets are well done and it is stable as hell when it comes to holding a set up. Awesome guitar!

[vanguard]

i've got two nocasters and the fit/finish on both is as good as i've ever seen. perfect neck pockets, immaculate nitro application, slanted joinery of the body's ash to make the grain more attractive (just like many early 50's teles), perfect fretwork. . .really just the model fender guitar.

[Kitten Cannon]

Fender CS is pretty consistent, and they do very good work. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Yeah, they don't let those things out the door unless they're really complete.

So, the main things to look for are:

Damage in Transit;

The minor possibility of a neck twisting over time; and

Just a little bit of different personality from one example to the next. Not much, compared to most any other electric guitar really. The big differences are which version, i.e. how thick is the neck and which fretwire size, since they started changing this up in 2009.

[Rotten]

I have three from 2006, a relic, a closet classic, and a newer one. They all have 9.5 radius necks, but the relic has more jumbo frets, which I like much better. Although I bought each used, the fit and finish were all exceptional. I did tweak to add a bit of relief in the neck. What surprised me, though, was that the neck shapes were all different. I posted another thread about this, but although they are all big necks, they are a soft V, a U, and a C in that order. I find the personalities to be different, but I have the benefit of day to day comparison. They are each very close in weight, and I can make them much more consistent with pickup height adjustments. Damn, I love that bridge pickup!!

[stevieboy]

I got one yesterday, it's in my lap right now.

I had a closet classic for a few years, but I never really got along with the frets and radius. I've always threatened to move it and get one with 9 1/2, bigger frets, but those were always special runs or different guitars. Finally they came out with that configuration as the standard team built model, and I made the move! Cost me a bit of money in terms of turning used into new, but I wasn't playing the CC and was going to eventually move it one way or another.

I'm never really quite sure what the expression "fit and finish" means, I think in terms of sound and playability/feel. And it's got those in spades. It's well made for sure. It does fit in my lap, and the finish is, well, relic.

[Kitten Cannon]

Originally Posted by stevieboy

I got one yesterday, it's in my lap right now.

I had a closet classic for a few years, but I never really got along with the frets and radius. I've always threatened to move it and get one with 9 1/2, bigger frets, but those were always special runs or different guitars. Finally they came out with that configuration as the standard team built model, and I made the move! Cost me a bit of money in terms of turning used into new, but I wasn't playing the CC and was going to eventually move it one way or another.

I'm never really quite sure what the expression "fit and finish" means, I think in terms of sound and playability/feel. And it's got those in spades. It's well made for sure. It does fit in my lap, and the finish is, well, relic.

Pics or it didn't happen! Haha.

I just got this one this weekend. It's a '53 Heavy Relic, but thank god they took it easy.

[dlmjr2]

To me fit and finish are things like fret work, nut slots, neck joint, etc

Thanks guys for the replies!

[bluesjuke]

Originally Posted by stevieboy

I got one yesterday, it's in my lap right now.

I had a closet classic for a few years, but I never really got along with the frets and radius. I've always threatened to move it and get one with 9 1/2, bigger frets, but those were always special runs or different guitars. Finally they came out with that configuration as the standard team built model, and I made the move! Cost me a bit of money in terms of turning used into new, but I wasn't playing the CC and was going to eventually move it one way or another.

I'm never really quite sure what the expression "fit and finish" means, I think in terms of sound and playability/feel. And it's got those in spades. It's well made for sure. It does fit in my lap, and the finish is, well, relic.

I got a Dave's Guitar Shop '52 Relic Tele that is Nocaster spec without the neck pocket overhang but the rest is true to a Nocaster.
9'5" radius was common in the originals.
Most don't know that.

That and my 335 are quite a pair.
As well as my Danocaster & other 335 are too.
OK, I love great Teles & 335s I admit it.

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by dlmjr2

So I'm getting a Nocaster relic tomorrow, the one with a 9.5 radius and med frets. I know what to expect as far as tone but just wondering what these are like as far as fit and finish? fret work, etc?

Mine is a 2008 NOS...Great guitar!

[Doug's Tubes]

I love blonde Tele's..

[your name here]

Mine's a '10 relic. Vintage spec.. Another one with modest aging. It's one of the best playing guitars I've ever had. Fit and finish is top notch and it sounds amazing.

[Rotten]

Oh, I didn't know you were allowed to post pix. The middle one is a special order Nocaster with a rosewood board.