Crews OSTL-50, butterscotch blonde, made in Japan 2013. This is an absolute knockout Tele, it's right up there with the best I've ever played. The Crews brand is a project of major Japanese instrument store Musicland Key, produced at the famed Terada factory that builds all the high-end Gretsch guitars, among others. Everything they do is done as custom orders and limited runs; only a handful of these guitars get made each year. The Les Paul style models are the most visible in the market, but the Fender style offerings are equally jaw-dropping. This is based of the 1952 Telecaster, so it's got the classic specs: swamp ash body, butterscotch blonde nitro finish, chunky U shape neck with a maple board, three saddle bridge... all nice vintage style stuff. You also get some distinct touches: compensated brass saddles, a quartersawn flame maple neck, truss adjuster at the sensible end and a pair of gorgeous K&T '52 pickups. K&T is the brainchild of Jun Takano, the legendary pickup designer who gave the world the outrageously sought-after Greco Dry-Z pickups in the 80s. The neck is a proper 'baseball bat' style, so it's nice and chunky in the hands and heck... that piece of flamed maple is just stunning. It's got slightly taller frets than a vintage reissue Fender and a slightly flatter 8.25" radius, which is a great combo, a perfect mix of vintage and modern. Despite the chunky neck, this still weighs in at 3.1kg, which is lighter than many Thinline Teles we've had through. That means you're getting a hell of a piece of ash for the body, and you can feel that straight away when you strum a chord: it rings like a bell at the lightest touch. I've often said a good Tele sounds fat, and this is definitely fat: thick and punchy through the low end, with a slicing snappy treble and a midrange that's full of wonder and flavour. The bridge pickup is crunchy and bright with a weighty and reassuring bass response, the neck pickup is glassy and punchy with a real sweetness to it. This will easily compete with Fender Custom Shop guitars in terms of attention to detail, finish quality, wood selection, feel and tone, it's absolutely that good. So hey, if you know what you're looking at here, you already know what a treasure this is, and if you don't, take a punt and thank us later!

Model: Crews Maniac Sound OSTL-50
Made: 2013, Japan, Terada factory (serial 130236)
Finish: butterscotch blonde, gloss nitro
Body: lightweight swamp ash, 2-piece
Neck: one piece quartersawn flame maple inc board, 25.5" scale, 8.25" radius, classic 50s chunky U shape, 43mm nut
Weight: 3.120kg
Mods: neck plate replaced, original included
Pickups: K & T '52 single coil x2
Case: Crews tweed hard case, great quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has a very minor mark on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear only. The back has a few dimples near the neck plate and string ferrules, plus a handful of minor scuffs around the body. The sides have a few marks: dimples on both horns, scuffs and rub wear in the elbow area, minor scuffs near the jack. The front has a couple of dimples near the control plate and elbow area, plus some standard play wear on the guard and 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. Frets minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.