(SOLD) Fender Japan '52 Telecaster Special TL52-80SPL Lake Placid Blue 1994
Fender '52 Tele Special, refinished to lake placid blue, made in Japan 1994. The previous owner on this one obviously had some big plans for it; it's had some pretty extensive 'treatment'. First up, it's wearing a coat of satin lake placid on top of the original natural gloss. You can see the natural finish peeping through in the high-contact areas; with more play no doubt it'll continue to show up. The original black guard has also been painted white; again it's possible the black would show through in years to come. It's also had a super tasty pair of Seymour Duncan pickups dropped in, along with a five way switch allowing for a heap of tonal possibilities (1: neck split to single, 2. neck HB, 3. bridge + HB, 4. bridge + single, 5. bridge). They're both terrific pickups: the Jazz HB has a thick salty midrange and a juicy low end while maintaining heaps of clarity and punch; the Broadcaster bridge pickup has a chiming top end with exceptional articulation and slice while maintaining plenty of warmth and body. The neck is an arrow-straight and beautifully grained piece of maple; it's a comfy C profile and feels awesome. This model is blessed with a genuine white ash body, so that adds a reassuring weight and a whole heap of midrange grunt to the tone. If you're after a Tele with a bit of character and history with a slick feel and a mammoth tone, here's a very cool little slice of endless summer.
Model: Fender '52 Reissue Telecaster Special (TL52-80SPL)
Made: Japan, 1994-5 Fujigen plant, (MIJ, serial T004455)
Finish: satin lake placid blue refinished over original gloss natural, single ply white guard painted over the original black
Body: white ash, 2 pieces
Neck: maple, maple board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 4.560kg
Mods: refinished, 5-way switch installed, pickups replaced
Pickups: Seymour Duncan STL-1 Vintage Broadcaster single coil (bridge), SH-2 Jazz humbucker (neck)
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock is pretty clean, neck has some minor dimples on the back only. The back has some 'buckle rash' where the original natural finish is showing through, it's most notable on the horns and in the middle. The sides have a few dimples on both horns, the shoulder and near the jack. The front is fairly tidy, just some marks on the shoulder, near the knobs and on the top horn where the original finish is showing through, plus some warping and cracked corners on the guard. Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets are in good shape with minimal wear, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.