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Thread: Telecaster String Tree Question

  1. #1
    Forum Member 1954Gold's Avatar
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    Telecaster String Tree Question

    Hi... I am looking to purchase a used American natural Ash m/n Tele. I saw one with the Z0 s/n putting it around 2000 I believe. However, the headstock has two string trees and I have always seen Teles with only one string tree.. can't find any info on the Fender site, Google, or a search here. Shouldn't it be with one tree? Thanks

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    Forum Member melody's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Yes it should only have one..but a lot of folks add one thinking that i improves the break of the string over the nut to the tuner. it has been my experance that the nut was'ent cut properly and makes the G string sound funny so this is a lot of folks remedy for this..
    Last edited by melody; 10-12-2004 at 12:59 PM. Reason: :da

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    Forum Member 1954Gold's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Quote Originally Posted by melody
    Yes it should only have one...
    Thanks.. this is what I was talking about:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

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    Forum Member melody's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT


    Nice lookin tele i love ash, i may be wrong on the string tree though some of the newer models have em some dont what do i know :flush

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    ZoneFiend photoweborama's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    That does look odd. I can't tell from the photo, but if it is the new American Series, they have staggered tuners that make it so you don't need 2 strings trees.

    This is what I'm talking about:




    Notice how the high E - G string only allow you to wind the string really close the the headstock, where as the Low E and A string wind higher..

    (this is my new chrome red Strat, of course)
    It's the same on the Teles. I just sold my Chrome Red Tele to buy this chrome red Strat.
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    Forum Member telecast's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Not necessarily. 2000 was the year they switched to the American Series with staggered tuners, but it was mid-year, around June or July. Both American Standard and American Series can be found with a ZO serial prefix.

    It looks fine to me. I've seen them with one and two string trees.
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Quote Originally Posted by telecast
    Not necessarily. 2000 was the year they switched to the American Series with staggered tuners, but it was mid-year, around June or July. Both American Standard and American Series can be found with a ZO serial prefix.

    It looks fine to me. I've seen them with one and two string trees.
    I 100% concur with this. When I got my blue Tele (normally in my avatar) it was a "Z0" also. I did a lot of research because mine is actually American Series, but has several traits of the American Std, including non-staggered tuners, although it had only one string tree.

    I will add that this is the first American Series Natural Ash I've seen with two string trees, but that probably doesn't mean much.

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    Forum Member 1954Gold's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Thanks, guys. I never saw two string trees except in the 1971- on CBS years and the foreign Fenders.

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    ZoneFiend photoweborama's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    So there you have it, some came wtih 2 before the staggered tuners came, and some american Series are transitions between American Standard and American series...

    Do I have it right?
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  10. #10
    Forum Member telecast's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Quote Originally Posted by photoweborama
    So there you have it, some came wtih 2 before the staggered tuners came, and some american Series are transitions between American Standard and American series...

    Do I have it right?

    Basically.

    They hate wasting parts.

    Oh, and they never told the one guy in production about the change....
    A friend in need is a good reason to screen your calls.

  11. #11
    Forum Member melody's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Thats what i was thinkin.."They hate wasting parts" was leo in on this ??

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    Forum Member itbepopples's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    mark...i realize its ur job but u always have the most bitchin pictures. i wish i could do that! that is odd with the two string trees but i can understand it.

  13. #13
    ZoneFiend photoweborama's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Thanks....I love those photos also.. Not really my job though. I just do it for fun. I hope to be able to sell them some day... I'm one of those soon to be out of work IT guys...

    Guitars are just such good subjects for photos. I hope to get more of them.
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    Forum Member Tele Jr's Avatar
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    Am Se's should have one string tree

    It looks like from the photos in the link that the tuners are staggered, which would draw one to the conclusion that it must be a later Z0 Am Se. If so it should indeed only have one tree, the second one seems obviously added. Motivation for adding it would most likely be to try to resolve some sort of buzzing or funny ringing, no doubt due to an improper setup condition, bad nut work, or maybe even a problem with one of the bridge saddles. Seems funny to add it if the staggered tuners are already there.

  15. #15
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    That does seem odd.

    According to my Fender info, there were no AmSe Teles made with two string trees once staggered tuners were in place.

    However... does it matter? It's entirely possible that the previous owner is one of the folks that things the second string tree improves sustain, or improves tuning stability, or wards off demons, or whatever.

    My point being, if that's the only thing that's been added after-market and the guitar is still in great shape otherwise, I wouldn't let the extra tree kill the deal.

  16. #16
    Forum Member 1954Gold's Avatar
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    Re: Telecaster String Tree Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack w/his radar
    That does seem odd... if that's the only thing that's been added after-market and the guitar is still in great shape otherwise, I wouldn't let the extra tree kill the deal.
    Went for $570 and I thought that was too much...didn't pull the trigger since I wasn't sure it didn't have underlying issues.
    Thanks for all the help!

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