Here's a little tip: if you're wanting a Tele at a budget price, you could do a lot worse than go for one of these vintage Japanese-made models that crop up for time to time on eBay. This particular example bears the Ibanez name and apparently was designated the model 2352. I had one that was just about identical to this but wasn't labelled Ibanez (I don't recall it having any name, but I shall have to search through my old photos to check). I believe, as was common practice, these guitars appeared under various different brand names, but they would have all come off the same production line in Japan's FujiGen factory.Admittedly, it's not the most accurate Tele copy (it has quite a few idiosyncratic features of its own, e.g. the metal-cased pickup in the bridge position, the output jack situated on the control panel, the laminated maple neck, the slightly oversized headstock, etc) but for my money one of these would beat a cheap modern Chinese copy or - dare I say it - an entry-level Squier.
The one I owned looked and sounded great. It definitely had that raunchy Tele ballsyness. I bought it off eBay about seven years ago as project fodder - something to play around with and "upgrade" - but when the guitar arrived I decided it was way too nice to mess with. (See Bertram's recent post on this whole topic!) I bought it cheaply for £52 and later sold it on for about £120 (no doubt to fund another guitar purchase) to a girl in France who said she used to own a guitar just like it, really missed it and wanted another. Which has surely got to be some kind of commendation.
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I have the exact same guitar like exact same color and all its a marlin from the late 60's its missing the bridge pickup so I thru in a vintage fender pick up of the same year!!
ReplyDeleteI have that exact guitar, branded as "Aspen," which I bought in the early '80s. I couldn't find out much about it, except that a company in Ft Worth, TX, USA imported them and slapped their brand on them. I like it; it's very playable. The pickups are underpowered, though. Not a big problem, as I"m just a bedroom player. Just adjust my amp a bit and all's good.
ReplyDeletei have an identical guitar but my jem is labeled aria. the neck bolt plate says made in japan. and somebody upgraded to a fender tele bridge. plays good i got it for $30 and a gram of poop. had some crappy stickers but cleaned up well
ReplyDeletei have one that say aria on it made in japan
ReplyDeletei have an identical guitar but my jem is labeled aria. the neck bolt plate says made in japan. and somebody upgraded to a fender tele bridge. plays good i got it for $30 and a gram of poop. had some crappy stickers but cleaned up well
ReplyDeleteI have the same guitar Labeled Raven Paid 25.00 at a yard sale for it. Took it to my Luthier and a neck press , fret dressing and bridge pickup rewind plays beautiful
ReplyDeleteI have the identical guitar labeled "Raven" It also has the bell cover Got at a yard sale for 25.00
ReplyDeleteTook it to my Luthier Neck press, fret dress and bridge pickup rewind later it plays beautiful Made in Japan on rear beck plate