HELP ME date this blackguard Telecaster!

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jackvoelker

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These are the only pictures I have of it. No serial number on the bridge plate. Any information helps.
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Slim Chance

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With the reversed control plate and ash body, it looks like one of the Guitar Center Deluxe Ash FSRs. If it is, then the serial number would be on the back of the headstock. They are nice guitars.

And welcome to the group.
 

Wrighty

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Nothing like enough pics. or info to even guess. Two years old and relic’d or old and worn? There are those here who will be able to give some ‘possibles’ but without even knowing whether it’s all original, it’s nigh on impossible to be accurate.
 

2HBStrat

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Am I wrong in thinking that "Blackguard" refers only to the very earliest Fender 1950's Esquire/Broadcaster/Telecaster guitars but not to every Fender guitar ever that has a black pickguard?
 

BobbyMac

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Definitely NOT a real "Blackguard" from the early 50's, and does not appear to my eyes to be a legitimate 50's reissue. The screws, bridgeplate, saddles, and pole pieces are seriously corroded and do not coincide with the condition of the neck, tuners, and head stock face (what we can see of them, anyway). The pickguard, tuners, neck pickup mounting, and string tree are all wrong for a real Blackguard or 50's Roadworn.

What I see in the pictures is not worth more than $400-500, at most. And I'd be changing out every part that is covered in rust.
 

Boreas

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It appears to be a poly finish because of lack of wear. Neck color doesn't indicate a lot of age. My guess is 80s or newer based on one pic. Probably used by someone with allotta acid in his sweat, or it has been relicked. Fairly modern case. Will need more pix and exploratory surgery for an accurate guess.
 

fjrabon

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100% sure it’s one of the GC FSR ash. That puts it between 2007 and 2017 I believe (but I’m not 1000% on that range. The earliest I can recall is a 2007 for those and I think they stopped making them in 2017, but still sold the remaining inventory for another year or two).
 

fjrabon

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This is also a good example of why the “just play the heck out of it and let her age naturally” is mostly nonsense. The hardware gets beat to heck and corroded, but the finish is pristine.
 

2HBStrat

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It looks like a MIJ body to me with maybe an old bridge and pickup and a newer MIA neck. Hard to tell, though
 

Twang Tone

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Ask the current owner to take a picture of the back of the Headstock. The 2 digits that follow the letters 'MX' will be the year of manufacture (e.g. MX10=2010).
 
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