Eric Clapton with his 1962 Fender Telecaster Custom at Hyde Park, London 1969

This 1962 Fender Telecaster Custom (picture below) was Eric’ Clapton's “Blind Faith” telecaster. It was fitted with Statocaster neck from the “Brownie”.It can be seen in action at the 1969 Blind Faith concert in Hyde Park, London. 

​What I have in my collection now is this 1985 (MIJ)  Fender Telecaster Custom '62 reissue. It plays like butter and the tone is pretty awesome. The next step, I guess, is for me to get the original '62. Hopefully, that will help me play like Clapton. 

The MIJ (Made in Japan) and CIJ (Crafted in Japan) guitars are very high quality. The Japanese are, as many of you know, masters at copying—as these guitars testify. In fact, the new Fender USA management guys "almost cried" when they traveled to Japan and saw the quality. At that time, Fender USA was still trying to get back up on its feet after the CBS buyout, as USA quality under CBS ownership let their standards really slip. Here is what happened: In 1984 CBS decided to sell Fender and finally, an investment group led by William (Bill) Schultz bought it in the month of March for twelve and a half million dollars. This investment group formally became the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation or FMIC. Bad news though, the sale did not include production facilities in Fullerton, California. Thus USA guitar production ceased between late 1984 till October of 1985 until the new factory was built in Corona, California. It has been estimated that 80% of the guitars sold during this time were made in Japan. When the Corona plant was started up, only the Vintage Reissue Stratocaster models were first produced (between late 1985 through 1986). Oddly enough, most of the MIJ Fenders were Reissues too, both Strats and Teles, and then later even Signature models.

​ 

---