1985 Fender Japan Telecaster 62ri Custom: what's the deal?

[takeittothemall]

I've heard a lot of people raving about MIJ 62ri Telecaster Customs from the mid-80s. Are they really all that you hear them to be? What differentiates them from later MIJ/CIJ 62 Custom teles. In what year do the models cease to possess their presumed magical powers? What's the going rate for a mid-80's one?


Thanks for any input.

[walterw]

first i've heard of early jap reissues being better than later ones. they're all quite nice.

[Smakutus]

I had a 86 Tele Custom in candy apple red and it was the best Tele I have ever played. I should have held on to that one.

Jeff

[zzzezums]

I've got an 85 miJ tele custom in sunburst - it's great.

[takeittothemall]

What's all the hype about 85/86 though?

[sonvolt]

Originally Posted by zzzezums

I've got an 85 miJ tele custom in sunburst - it's great.

Ditto here.....had it refretted with 6105 frets.....the first guitar of my "collection". Had it for almost 20 yrs.

[KenRothman]

My first real guitar, bought it new in Jan of '88 at Manny's. Only recently did I have the neck off and see that it's actually an '85.

[Steve73]

Yeah, I have a '85 MIJ Tele '50's reissue that is excellent. Best Tele I've ever played, and I've had for like 17 years now. The only mods I've done are Fralin Blues Special pickups as I bought it used with Lace Sensors, which I didn't care for.

[takeittothemall]

Is it true that the 85/86 MIJ reissues are coveted because during those two years Fender did not produce USA reissues (on account of the sale of the company by CBS)? I guess the theory is that these 85/86 MIJ reissues are made with USA parts, but assembled in Japan.

Any truth to that?

[takeittothemall]

bump.

[KenRothman]

I don't think so. Mine definitely had asian pickups and wiring. (all ripped out and replaced over the years).
I think the USA factory was up by then... maybe 83-84 timeframe for the changeover. I don't recall seeing the 62 custom MIJ reissues older than 85.

[pbradt]

Fuju Gen Gakki made most of the MIJ guitars, and the CIJ guitars. Samick also made some. I have a CIJ '52RI (Tl-52) and with the Ron Ellis Blackguard pups and 6105s in it, it's the best Tele I've ever played, and I've played some killer vintage instruments, but my li'l ol' TL52 trumps 'em all...for me.

I had a '62RI from that era but the neck was too thin for me. Still, it was a great-sounding guitar with Fralins in it. I don't miss it, but it was a great guitar. Just didn't bond with it as much as the two I have now.

[korby]

I just bought one and sold it immediately for what I paid for it , it was not a big deal , not sure why the hype . I've noticed that with other hyped guitars , model & year don't mean a thing , each guitar is different .

[indravayu]

I have an '88 in candy apple red - it's a very pretty guitar and the bridge pickups sounds great (the neck is a little too mellow for me), but i am not digging the neck that much - it's on the thin side and I think I prefer chunky Tele necks. I am on the fence about selling it now.

[RnB]

I had an '85 Sunburst Model. Bought for a steal for $325 in like new condition. Nice Tele & I kept it for a long time before selling it off a few years ago. I had upgraded the pickups to Fralin Blues, but wasn't crazy about it's weight & the Fralin neck pickup was too muddy sounding for me. prolly should of kept it, but it was about that time that I started building my own Teles that weighed considerably less. In all; the fit, finish, & playability were all very good on the '62 RI!