• From: Latrobe PA
  • Registered: 2012-02-02
  • Posts: 96

Topic: Joe's '53 Tele

I was quite happy when Joe pulled out a Telecaster during the recent show in Pgh. I've played a Tele for years, it has outlasted everything else in my stable. Huge fan of them.

I was curious about the specs for this? Neck size, pickups, etc.

Anyone?

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Since necks were still basically hand-made back then, there's bound to be considerable variation among '53s.  Musikraft, for instance, sells '53 repro necks with half a dozen different sets of "specs" all based on known exemplars.  The only thing they all have in common is a 7.25 radius.  Amazing what I learned on the TDPRI before getting banned...   wink

Heaven (and, presumably, Joe himself) only knows if the pickups are original...

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: New York
  • Registered: 2011-02-13
  • Posts: 444

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

I was actually going to start a topic on his Tele. Does anyone else think it would be awesome if Joe busted out the Tele for a chicken pickin' rippin' version of "Woke Up Dreaming"?

Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Ltd Signature Les Paul VOS # 31
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Coach305 wrote:

Since necks were still basically hand-made back then, there's bound to be considerable variation among '53s.  Musikraft, for instance, sells '53 repro necks with half a dozen different sets of "specs" all based on known exemplars.

Of course what I'm wondering is whether Joe's is one of the known exemplars...ie whether we can actually go out and buy a neck the same dimensions as Joe's....

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Unless you got Joe's input it would be hard to find a shape exactly like his.  Best you could hope for is look into the neck shapes that they did that year and hope its close.  Its 50's so its got to be a fat neck, maybe a soft V or a boat neck?

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Adrian J wrote:

Of course what I'm wondering is whether Joe's is one of the known exemplars...ie whether we can actually go out and buy a neck the same dimensions as Joe's....

According to Musikraft's website, they have repros of #2438, #3670, #3912, and #3999 (also '53 Esquires #2283 and #4942).  Don't know if Joe's is one of those...

If you're determined to be as accurate as possible, you really need this:  http://www.theblackguardbook.com/

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Joe talks about it in the DTTD digibook. SN 5088. Fat neck, best Tele he ever heard once he got it and he got it for the patina. It was the first collectible he payed more than $10K for, sight unseen for $29K. Read the story for all the details, but you have to get the digibook. He also has a '54 but said it needs a refret.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

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  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 216

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Is it his 53 or 54 on tour though? Love those early Tele's.....very special guitars...buying one when I retire!

  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
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Re: Joe's '53 Tele

telesquire wrote:

Is it his 53 or 54 on tour though? Love those early Tele's.....very special guitars...buying one when I retire!

I saw the '53 at the Baked Potato up close and I'd say it is the same one I saw onstage in Des Moines. The fretboard is stained and worn from thousands of plays, and there are plenty of battle scars. Relicing the old fashioned way. Would he play anything less than one of his very best on tour?

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 216

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Yeah, the '54 looks a little less worn on the board...

http://jbonamassa.com/joes-guitar-of-th … elecaster/

  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

The neck and body are dated 11/53 on my Tele....Serial #s are a guideline and sometimes confusing on early Fender stuff...
Joe B

  • From: Latrobe PA
  • Registered: 2012-02-02
  • Posts: 96

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Thanks Joe, perhaps you remember after the Pittsburgh show I asked about it while you were signing my JB ES335 near the bus.

Certainly not offended if you don't ! smile

As much as I like the awesome Gibsons, seeing a great Tele in action is priceless to me.

13 Reply by telesquire (edited by telesquire 2012-06-03 05:00:02)

  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 216

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Two of my favourite blackguard Tele videos at polar extremes of the musical spectrum...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZ77w9bnm8

The eagle eyed will notice that Pete's has a modern bridge on it (can we forgive him? LOL)

and Uncle Larry  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmWX2VOEoAU

Just goes to prove the versatility of an old guitar that was designed for the country guitarist 60 years ago!!

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Same link there twice Telesquire.

15 Reply by telesquire (edited by telesquire 2012-06-03 15:46:27)

  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 216

Re: Joe's '53 Tele

Sorted , sorry.

Here's Michael Rhodes (DTTD bassist) with Vince Gill playing his old blackguard Tele. This vid is a must...wait for Vince's heartfelt blues solo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJHnkUKg_M


and catch Michaels groove on this one......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcjLvWCOgb0

The whole video is Vince Gill (with The Players)...out of print now....but what a group.