Very nice story. I wonder how many others have had guitars they've sold make it back to them after years of being away.
Congratulations Jonathan. There's two or three I wouldn't mind running into again

I sure am glad she came back!! I haven't had a chance to get to the music store yet but I will go today. I set the intonation with the strings that are on it and I'll fine tune that once the 10 or 11's go on it. It also needs the string height set and some work on the nut. It is all original except the bridge, which is of a much better quality than the original bridge. I think the selector switch might have to be replaced as it is still scratchy and not responding to contact cleaner!
Nice to see the return of an old friend. As in most cases to get something good ya gotta give up something good. Fernandes Guitars can be gems especially the ones made in Japan. Luv my bros Fernandes Sustainer Looking forward to some tele vids from you Jonathan
Joyce, the Fernandes was a really decent guitar. It could have used better pick-ups, over the stock ones, but it was a very well made Japanese instrument. The problem with it for me was I just never played it, mostly because it wasn't a Tele! I picked it up years ago, in '97, for 150 dollars.
That's very cool! I wish my Tele could make it back. Since I sold it almost 30 years ago in NYC I'd say the chance are slim. It just got where I never played Electric. I'm not even goin to mention the other 2 that I let go of for cheap when young. :(
Here's the tele when I was 17 or 18"

Matt, she was a beauty!!! My friend Craig (the tenor guitarist in our group) told me over and over years ago that Leo had it right with the first one! He has a couple nice Telecasters, including a pink paisley...
I saw a piece on TV about a month ago, an interview with Peter Frampton. In it there was the subject of his recent re-acquisition of a Les Paul that was lost in South America when a plane carrying the band's gear crashed. I think he lost it about 30 years ago. Sucks that he had to essentially pay a ransom to get her back, but other than that it was very cool.
I heard about that as well. I bet Peter is just glad to have his guitar back!!