(SOLD) Cool Z ZTL-1M Vintage Natural 2011
Cool Z ZTL-1M Tele style, vintage natural gloss finish, made in Japan 2011. If you know what you're looking at here, you'll be a bit excited. Cool Z is a house brand for major Japanese instrument chain Shimamura, who have stores all over Japan. They're made at the legendary Fujigen Gakki plant, the very same factory that made all those famous Fender Japan guitars from 1982-96 as well as producing Ibanez Prestige and other tasty biscuits to this day. This is their take on the classic 1952 Telecaster, but with a few sensible modern conveniences. Vintage style appointments include a very agreeable soft-V neck, three saddle bridge with some deluxe brass saddles, single ply guard and Kluson style tuners... all class, thanks guys! The modern touches include a truss rod adjuster at the sensible end of the neck, a flatter 9.5" radius neck with taller frets and a set of slightly overwound pickups. Plugged in, this sounds absolutely superb. It's got chime and twang by the bucketload, but it's super articulate and clear with a gorgeous balance and complexity to it. The pickups are a little hotter than a trad vintage set, but they're less mid-focused than a Texas Special, so it breathes a little easier and balances the top end sparkle with a rounded low end perfectly. Fujigen are doing something called 'Circle Fretting System' on the frets, which seems to keep the frets looking absolutely perfect for longer and contributes to the overall integrous feel. It really does feel like a lot of love went into the build of this one, it's very reassuring in the hands and plays like a far pricier guitar than it is. Sure, the headstock branding has a bit of classic MIJ-kitsch to it, but hot dang... they can build a guitar over there.
Model: Cool Z ZTL-1M
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, 2011 (serial J111481)
Finish: vintage natural, gloss poly, single-ply black guard
Body: lightweight ash, 3 piece
Neck: maple, one-piece inc board, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, soft-V shape
Mods: none
Weight: 3.630kg approx
Pickups: Fujigen TLD-FAT F/R single coil x2
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor dimples on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some light scuffs on the back. The back has no major marks, but there's widespread very light scuffs around the body. The sides have no major marks, just some light scuffs in the elbow area and near the jack. The front is pretty clean, just some play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.