did they really make them out of plywood?

[Gumbley]

hi

just got hold of a friend's tele custom, to do a refret and some other repairs. It has be HORRIBLY butchered, and on the back is a massive burn mark; it looks like someone left it on a hotplate. when i sand away some of the burnt wood (the burn was pretty deep) the grain suddenly changed direction! Taking out the neck, i found that the body is plywood. Plywood!I know fender pulled some dirty tricks in the 70s, but i didn't think they would stoop that low.

Has he been sold a fake? It's a very hard guitar to date. There are no date markings on neck or body. It's the one-humbucker custom (keith richards style), with a maple cap neck. Nothing on the pots, and the pickups and machines are long gone. 2 string trees, gold Fender logo, small headstock no "custom" writing. The body looks fairly original, and the neck is a good fit. i'm not an expert on teles, so any information is welcome.

cheers!

[Tele-Bob]

The Squier and Affinity bodies are made of plywood. It sounds like your buddy was had. Unless of course it's a "Custom Squier Tele."

Real American Fender guitars have never been made from plywood.

[tonemonkey]

Does it have F holes?

If so it's possible that the top is just a cap over a separate body. Otherwise it's as Bob says, it be Squier.

[Gumbley]

no f-holes, and the neck seems like the real thing. Wierd - especially as i know this guitar from 8 years or so - i didn't think they were doing a squier custom back then. still he paid next to nothing...

[Tele-Bob]

I was joking about the "Custom Squier" comment. Sorry. No such thing.

[Gumbley]

looks like he's been done, then...

[chaz498]

looks like he's been done, then...

Only if it sounds like crap too.