How can this be?

I was looking at an article about the T-40 from Vintage Guitar from about a year and a half ago, and I noticed that the example they show in the article has a lower serial number than my fretted one, but it has the exposed blade pickups whereas mine has the toasters. Was it most likely some kind of typo, or were the necks not used entirely in sequence?

I've tracked T-series serial numbers for a few years now and have noticed things like that quite often. Chip has told us that it was pretty common.

PT43 wrote:

I've tracked T-series serial numbers for a few years now and have noticed things like that quite often. Chip has told us that it was pretty common.

That's kinda what I suspected.

So if this is true, it's possible that my T-40 is likely one of the last ones with toaster pickups?

That's very likely. I have a T-60 with blades but it has the smaller switches that are more common on toaster T's. I've seen some strange combos over the years.

PT43 wrote:

That's very likely. I have a T-60 with blades but it has the smaller switches that are more common on toaster T's. I've seen some strange combos over the years.

That's how the T-40 that I modded was: bladed pickups with small switches. damned if I can remember the serial number though. I think it started with 006 or 007, but I'm not sure.

Mine has the old style pickguard (small switch holes) so I'm fairly sure it was put together that way in Meridian.

You can't discount he possibility that the neck was switched out with another T-40 at some point. I know I have 2 T-60's that have necks that are not the original.

Good point Cecil, I hadn't thought about that.