1971 Fender Telecaster Bass - Color Options

Dave W · June 05, 2015, 01:30:32 PM

At least some early Tele basses had alder bodies. A transparent blond would typically be on an ash body. An opaque finish could be either.

veebass · June 05, 2015, 03:22:40 PM

I have seen a couple of first series Teles where the grain is visible (apart from natural which have been stripped), but not many. As I said I have a second series where the grain is also visible. Here's a pic of the two together- you can see it best on the back of the basses.

drummer5359 · June 17, 2015, 05:13:52 AM

Here is my 1972, which is natural. The pickguard was white, the second owner replaced it with this black guard when the original cracked. I do have the original guard though.

the mojo hobo · June 22, 2015, 09:51:38 AM

Quote from: Pilgrim on June 01, 2015, 12:12:18 PM
There used to be a Fender site at provide.net that had color charts and extensive lists of models, but I can't find it at the moment.

Here it is: http://www.guitarhq.com/

Fender custom colors: http://www.guitarhq.com/fenderc.html

Fender photo gallery: http://www.guitarhq.com/gallery.html

Bionic-Joe · July 05, 2015, 01:18:04 PM

Quote from: Dave W on June 05, 2015, 01:30:32 PM
At least some early Tele basses had alder bodies. A transparent blond would typically be on an ash body. An opaque finish could be either.

I've never heard that. I heard that they all had Ash. That's what makes them so bright.

Dave W · July 05, 2015, 10:36:59 PM

I don't think there's a significant difference in brightness between alder and ash.

My opaque blond alder Tele (guitar) is bright as can be.

ilan · July 06, 2015, 07:28:17 AM

Slightly OT but what do you think is a reasonable price for a '69 Tele bass MkI, unfortunately stripped (was white), otherwise original inc. the chrome covers, feather weight and plays/sounds like a dream? It's for sale locally for $3,180 and I want to make them an offer.

Aussie Mark · July 06, 2015, 04:34:55 PM

Quote from: ilan on July 06, 2015, 07:28:17 AM
Slightly OT but what do you think is a reasonable price for a '69 Tele bass MkI, unfortunately stripped (was white), otherwise original inc. the chrome covers, feather weight and plays/sounds like a dream? It's for sale locally for $3,180 and I want to make them an offer.

Stripped price = 1/2 to 2/3 of market value. I'd be opening negotiations at $2,000 and wouldn't go any higher than $2,400

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=16&_nkw=telecaster%20bass&LH_PrefLoc=2&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

ilan · July 07, 2015, 05:05:37 PM

Thanks. Maybe they will consider a trade, but either way I'll keep that $2,400 mark as my limit. I'll update. Now back to Tele MkII colors...

Bionic-Joe · July 08, 2015, 09:05:02 AM

Quote from: Dave W on July 05, 2015, 10:36:59 PM
I don't think there's a significant difference in brightness between alder and ash.

My opaque blond alder Tele (guitar) is bright as can be.

Interesting, Dave. I had a Tele bass with an aftermarket Alder Body a year ago and I found out that RS Guitarworks had painted the body. At the same time, I picked up a Used stripped original Ash body tele. There was a big difference..