Fender F-80-12, natural finish, made in Japan circa 1976. This is a nice thing. Fender started making electric guitars in Japan in 1982, but they were doing acoustics in Japan a few years before. The F-80-12 model was made from 1976-9; the serial sticker on this one has gone missing but based on the label format this one seems to date to the earlier end of that range. It's a tasty vintage dreadnought style body, with a high quality spruce top and a classy laminate rosewood back and sides. There's some cool little details: faux-abalone around the top, cute little space invader inlay up the middle of the back, snowflake inlays... it's all done with a lot of class and care. Unlike many vintage twelves, the bridge is firmly attached and the top is pretty flat, so it's weathered the decades nicely. The neck walks the balance between wide enough for accurate left hand work and slim enough for comfort convincingly, it works well. The tone on offer is chiming and warm with a tasty understated low end, lending chords a charming depth and shimmer. The pickup works well too, it's nice and natural, so this is ready to slot right into that spot in your live set begging for a twelve. So you think you can tell?

Model: Fender F-80-12
Made: 1976 approx, Japan (serial sticker missing)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: solid spruce top, laminate rosewood back/sides, dreadnought shape
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 47mm nut width, 12" radius, C-shape
Weight: 2.590kg
Mods: pickup installed
Pickup: basic piezo system, tuners upgraded
Case: good quality non-original hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and some scratches on the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has widespread light scuffs and surface scratches around the whole body, no major marks. The sides have minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body, but no major marks. The front has some dimples in the elbow area, along the back edge and bottom corner, as well as some standard play wear on the shoulders and guard. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Electronics tested and working properly. The frets are in reasonable shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing reasonably fresh Martin strings.