Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster, butterscotch blonde, made in USA 2004. The American Vintage series replicated the original famed models of Fender's golden era instruments with religious fervour, including thin nitro finishes, period correct alnico pickups, cloth wiring as well as cosmetic touches like the spaghetti decals. Here we have the 1952 Telecaster model. You get a superb tasty relatively lightweight ash body, which rings like a bell,  with grain that's book matched so carefully you can barely see a join. The neck is a moderate U-shape, semi-chunky but not huge and made from a gorgeous piece of maple. Unplugged, you can really feel the resonance and mojo straight away; it feels alive and integrous and springs to life with the lightest touch. There's a few little marks around the body, but given how thin the finish is, that's kinda part of the vibe. Plugged in, there's a lot to love. There's heaps of traditional Tele Twang, but it's a nuanced and warm chime... bright but not harsh. The mids are airy and complex with a conversational and punchy attack, plus there's a fat and syrupy natural bass to round things out perfectly. These AVRI models are built to a standard that you'd have to spend Custom Shop dollars to match these days; they're some of the best production Teles ever. I give it 52 stars.

Model: Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster
Made: 2004, Corona USA (serial 43780, neck dated 14 Apr 2004, body dated 28 Feb 2004)
Finish: butterscotch blonde thin-sin nitrocellulose, 1-ply matte black guard
Body: ash, 2-piece
Neck: one piece maple inc board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 3.635kg
Mods: re-wired with original components back to stock
Pickups: Fender American Vintage '52 single coil x2
Case: Fender branded tweed hard case by G&G, includes original case candy

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has minor marks on the end, no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread light dimples and scuffs, no major marks though. The sides have a few minor dimples on both horns, near the jack and in the elbow area. The front is pretty tidy, just some little marks near the jack and behind the bridge and some standard play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10). 

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have been recently polished and have heaps of life in them, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.