1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone

disom007 · 09-10-2009, 02:29 AM

This is a 1970 Telecaster. It has been engraved and refinished. From what I can tell the rest of the guitar seems to be original. I took the pickguard and control plate off to try to find out the original color but there was no evidence in the cavities. Ive seen this year in natural and blonde, I figure it was probably originally natural but if anyone knows what other colors they came out with in 1970 I would like to know.

The story on the engraving is that the guy who owned this said it had a "line" that ran from one end of the body to the other (I'm assuming it's a 3 piece body and you could see where the wings were connected). So he had the rose engraved to cover up the line. The engraving is about 1/4 of an inch deep.

So my question is, if this was your guitar would you fix it or leave it alone and what are my options if I was going to fix it? I'm assuming the engraving could be filled in but it would have to be painted a solid color to hide the work.

All opinions welcome....here it is

paulygates · 09-10-2009, 02:44 AM

I would leave it alone. It looks pretty cool to me. I wouldn't have engraved it like that but now its like that I would leave it.

jomo · 09-10-2009, 02:48 AM

I'd have to change it right away. What's it gonna hurt? The damage is done. Nice find by the way. I want a 71.

steadyriot · 09-10-2009, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomo

I'd have to change it right away. What's it gonna hurt? The damage is done. Nice find by the way. I want a 71.

I believe you want any Tele' you can get your hands on

jomo · 09-10-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steadyriot

I believe you want any Tele' you can get your hands on

True, but I was born in 71.

G Man · 09-10-2009, 10:32 AM

Could be worse. I'd think about throwing a tooled leather pickguard on it and calling it a day. It would complete that early 70s vibe it has going on. Nice guitar BTW, how's she feel/sound?

Yogi · 09-10-2009, 10:34 AM

I say send it to me. Would look nice next to my monterey pop strat

BCRGreg · 09-10-2009, 10:37 AM

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

disom007 · 09-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Man

Could be worse. I'd think about throwing a tooled leather pickguard on it and calling it a day. It would complete that early 70s vibe it has going on. Nice guitar BTW, how's she feel/sound?

Thanks,
She feels pretty good. Got a thicker neck that what I'm used to on fenders. The neck is kinda like my Les Paul but not as wide.
As far as the sound goes, it's gonna get a good setup. It's got real old, rusty 9's on it, i"m gonna put some 10's on it and set the intonation and she'll be ready to roll.

disom007 · 09-10-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

What's a ballpark figure on that Greg???? Dont get me wrong, it'll be a while before I could do anything to it other than strings but I'd like to know a rough number.
And do you know some of the original colors that came out on Tele's in 1970??

overdriver · 09-10-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

A veneer gona restore it

Ya it could look better &have the whole thing refinished ,may look better.

I would either get rid of it of leave it as is. But what the hey its your guitar. Do what ya want.

MrWrong · 09-10-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulygates

I would leave it alone. It looks pretty cool to me. I wouldn't have engraved it like that but now its like that I would leave it.

same with me.

Paragon · 09-15-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdriver

I would either get rid of it or leave it as is. But what the hey its your guitar. Do what ya want.

BTW, that kind of carving was popular back then. Chances are his wife did it. My mom used to do that type of carving. I still have some of her blades to do it.

cynic79 · 09-15-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Man

Could be worse. I'd think about throwing a tooled leather pickguard on it and calling it a day. It would complete that early 70s vibe it has going on. Nice guitar BTW, how's she feel/sound?

While this definitely isn't something I would do with my guitar, since it's already on there I would just roll with it. The engraved leather pickguard actually sounds like a good idea.

blues24 · 09-15-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

That's your answer...Get with greg on this project brother.

If the neck is ok,why not let a pro refinish it for you.

BCRGreg · 09-15-2009, 11:40 AM

I'd knock 1/4 inch off the top to go below the depth of the carving, then reroute the cavities and reround the edges. No pussy VENEER here.

Call me to discuss it, if you like. That way the "experts" won't be around to critique anyone's efforts.

overdriver · 09-15-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

ok

overdriver · 09-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it.

IMO ya need to keep you stories straight EXPERT

how about a nice maple cap or turn it into a thinline .

ledlover01 · 09-15-2009, 09:19 PM

Wow i like it

BCRGreg · 09-15-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdriver

IMO ya need to keep you stories strat EXPERT

how about a nice maple cap or turn it into a thinline .

Why did you type the same grammatically incorrect sentence in twice?

Is this a new language?

overdriver · 09-15-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

Why did you type the same grammatically incorrect sentence in twice?

Is this a new language?

I don't know !!!!!!!!!!! Guess I was to busy playing guitar to have gotten around to schooling. Looks like I had STRATs on my mind. Glad ya pointed that out, must be the expert in ya!

Atomic · 09-15-2009, 11:50 PM

I kind of like the look actually.. the rose adds some character to an otherwise pretty run of the mill looking guitar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdriver

I don't know !!!!!!!!!!! Guess I was to busy playing guitar to have gotten around to schooling. Looks like I had STRATs on my mind. Glad ya pointed that out, must be the expert in ya!

im damn sure that greg doesnt need my vouching, but IMO you sir are way out of line. its ok if you dont think that he is the expert that he claims to be (he is btw..) but your tone is rude and uncalled for, not to mention quite disrespectful. would you want someone to talk to you like that??

and before you call favorites, i dont know greg beyond talking to him on the phone once to discuss a Hamer.. but i do know just by reading posts and his precedent reputation that the guy DOES have at least some clue regarding that of which he speaks. in other words, the guy knows his shit. beyond that hes a member of this forum in good standing and because of that deserves some respect.

overdriver · 09-15-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomic

I kind of like the look actually.. the rose adds some character to an otherwise pretty run of the mill looking guitar.

im damn sure that greg doesnt need my vouching, but IMO you sir are way out of line. its ok if you dont think that he is the expert that he claims to be (he is btw..) but your tone is rude and uncalled for, not to mention quite disrespectful. would you want someone to talk to you like that??

and before you call favorites, i dont know greg beyond talking to him on the phone once to discuss a Hamer.. but i do know just by reading posts and his precedent reputation that the guy DOES have at least some clue regarding that of which he speaks. in other words, the guy knows his shit. beyond that hes a member of this forum in good standing and because of that deserves some respect.

I think Mr. Greg did start it . Thank you very much! I doubt you have read all his posts, he does get quite snotty from time to time.

And please don't call me SIR again. Call favorites???????

Atomic · 09-16-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdriver

I think Mr. Greg did start it . Thank you very much! I doubt you have read all his posts, he does get quite snotty from time to time.

i did read the posts in this thread, looking for the "start" that you spoke of. i didnt find it on his end.. however i did find your posts to be antagonistic in nature. im not his keeper, so im not going to go and do some kind of search and read all his former posts. or yours for that matter.
as far as snotty goes im sure he has and so has everyone.. but does someones supposed former being "snotty" give you right to be snotty yourself?

Quote:

And please don't call me SIR again. Call favorites???????

sir-ette?
lady-sir?
ms?
matron?

which do you prefer?

diceman · 09-16-2009, 12:05 AM

Very cool guitar... but the roses do look absolutely terrible. Could the carving just be filled and then have a solid color applied over it - or would the filler show through?

A nice Ice Blue Metallic maybe... Thats what I'd consider doing.

BCRGreg · 09-16-2009, 12:06 AM

Atomic, thanks for the support. Don't waste any more time on this, there is no real gain to be had, clearly.

overdriver · 09-16-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atomic

i did read the posts in this thread, looking for the "start" that you spoke of. i didnt find it on his end.. however i did find your posts to be antagonistic in nature. im not his keeper, so im not going to go and do some kind of search and read all his former posts. or yours for that matter.
as far as snotty goes im sure he has and so has everyone.. but does someones supposed former being "snotty" give you right to be snotty yourself?

sir-ette?
lady-sir?
ms?
matron?

which do you prefer?

you mean strat , what are ya going on about man.

overdriver · 09-16-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I'd knock 1/4 inch off the top to go below the depth of the carving, then reroute the cavities and reround the edges. No pussy VENEER here.

Call me to discuss it, if you like. That way the "experts" won't be around to critique anyone's efforts.

This is the snot remark aimed at everyone! IMO

djwilbanks · 09-16-2009, 12:39 AM

I am offended, Greg. I demand an apology...

or you could at least call me...

YouTube - HQ I'm So Ronery by Kim Jong - Team America

BCRGreg · 09-16-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdriver

This is the snot remark aimed at everyone! IMO

If you want to be a pansy, then let's look back a bit at what YOU said.....

Quote:

A veneer gona restore it

Ya it could look better &have the whole thing refinished ,may look better.

So why don't you just run along and play in traffic and let the rest of us go on with our lives.

09-10-2009, 02:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
disom007 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 125 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone This is a 1970 Telecaster. It has been engraved and refinished. From what I can tell the rest of the guitar seems to be original. I took the pickguard and control plate off to try to find out the original color but there was no evidence in the cavities. Ive seen this year in natural and blonde, I figure it was probably originally natural but if anyone knows what other colors they came out with in 1970 I would like to know. The story on the engraving is that the guy who owned this said it had a "line" that ran from one end of the body to the other (I'm assuming it's a 3 piece body and you could see where the wings were connected). So he had the rose engraved to cover up the line. The engraving is about 1/4 of an inch deep. So my question is, if this was your guitar would you fix it or leave it alone and what are my options if I was going to fix it? I'm assuming the engraving could be filled in but it would have to be painted a solid color to hide the work. All opinions welcome....here it is __________________ 1987 Gibson Les Paul Custom Alpine White 1998 Epi Les Paul Ice Tea Burst 1983 Fender USA Strat 3 Tone Sunburst 1983 Fender USA Strat Vintage White

09-10-2009, 02:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
paulygates Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bournemouth, UK Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone I would leave it alone. It looks pretty cool to me. I wouldn't have engraved it like that but now its like that I would leave it. __________________ 04 LP Std HCSB (Grace) 94 Epi LP Classic Birdseye Maple top (The Captain) Flextone III XL http://www.thesilverhorses.com/#

09-10-2009, 02:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
jomo Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville Posts: 6,267 Thanks: 78 Thanked 85 Times in 23 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone I'd have to change it right away. What's it gonna hurt? The damage is done. Nice find by the way. I want a 71. __________________

09-10-2009, 10:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
G Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: W. MA. Posts: 445 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone Could be worse. I'd think about throwing a tooled leather pickguard on it and calling it a day. It would complete that early 70s vibe it has going on. Nice guitar BTW, how's she feel/sound?

09-10-2009, 10:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
Yogi Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 660 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone I say send it to me. Would look nice next to my monterey pop strat __________________ Fall mountains... just don't fall on me...

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

09-10-2009, 10:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 157 Thanked 732 Times in 95 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone I'd mill the face down and put a layer of fresh ash on and restore it. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

09-15-2009, 11:40 AM	#16 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 157 Thanked 732 Times in 95 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone I'd knock 1/4 inch off the top to go below the depth of the carving, then reroute the cavities and reround the edges. No pussy VENEER here. Call me to discuss it, if you like. That way the "experts" won't be around to critique anyone's efforts. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

09-15-2009, 09:19 PM	#19 (permalink)
ledlover01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York Posts: 1,246 Thanks: 129 Thanked 67 Times in 27 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone Wow i like it __________________ Nowadays you can't be loud enough! -John Bonham, Led Zeppelin- Supposdly all the guitars below are fake or not mine My Gear: 07 68 Reissue Les Paul Custom 08 Les Paul Junior(Signed by Les Paul) 07 Melody Maker 06 Epiphone Studio White(No pickguard) 75 Ibanez Acoustic(Martin Law Suit Model)

09-16-2009, 12:05 AM	#25 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,331 Thanks: 308 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone Very cool guitar... but the roses do look absolutely terrible. Could the carving just be filled and then have a solid color applied over it - or would the filler show through? A nice Ice Blue Metallic maybe... Thats what I'd consider doing. __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

09-16-2009, 12:06 AM	#26 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 157 Thanked 732 Times in 95 Posts	Re: 1970 Tele....Fix it or Leave it alone Atomic, thanks for the support. Don't waste any more time on this, there is no real gain to be had, clearly. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
'52 Reissue Tele w/ Custom Shop Twisted Tele Pups	jeremylp	Member Classifieds	27	06-20-2009 12:24 PM
Definitive answer as to fitment of Tele bodies to MIM tele neck	freejus	Fender	4	04-17-2009 08:40 PM
Fix It or Leave It?	diceman	The Squawk Box	43	01-06-2009 04:19 PM
Hardware change on MIM tele or leave her be?	Iceman0124	Fender	13	12-04-2008 01:21 PM