Fender Rosewood Tele, crafted in Japan 2004-5. What a delightful rarity this little stunner is. The rosewood Tele will forever be associated with George Harrison. There's been a few versions of the model around; currently the only option is a $5k+ Custom Shop offering, so this little sweetheart is a very player-friendly take on the legend. This is built a little differently from the late 80s MIJ version with a solid rosewood body and neck (those also fetch $5k+); it's a solid basswood body with a generous rosewood veneer on the front and back, plus a gloss black finished maple neck with a gloss rosewood slab fingerboard and headstock veneer. That means this is light in weight, while still translating a whole heap of the dark, airy rosewood tone out via a pair of tasty USA pickups. There's a stack of natural bass and low-mid on tap, balancing the long heralded 'Tele twang' with a thickness and punch that's very satisfying. It takes a little extra dialling on your amp and pedals compared to a regular Tele, but once you've found the sweet spot, it's very sweet indeed. The grain really is spectacular, it's surely a great visual pleasure and a stunning twist on the standard Tele aesthetic. The case is a tour-ready tough guy waiting for some action; a handy inclusion. If you have any doubts about the majesty of this, check out George ripping a solo at the 2 minute mark of the original Let It Be clip... I'm not crying, you're crying!

Model: Fender '69 Rosewood Telecaster (TL-ROSE)
Made: Japan, 2004-5 (serial R000378)
Finish: natural gloss over rosewood veneer
Body: basswood, rosewood veneer front and back
Weight: 3.4kg approx
Neck: maple, gloss black finish, gloss rosewood board, 7.25" radius
Mods: none
Pickups: original Fender USA 'TL-Vintage' single coils
Case: non-original Fender deluxe ABS hard case, very good condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. There's a couple of marks on the end and bottom edge of the headstock. The neck is pretty clean, just a couple of little marks on the top edge of the first and fifth frets. The back is pretty clean, just some very light buckle-rash scuffs and scratches. The sides have a few minor dings: a few up from the bridge pickup around to the shoulder area, a couple between the rear strap pin and the jack and a minor one on the top horn. The front is pretty tidy, just a couple of extremely minor dimples behind the bridge and some normal scratches from play on the guard and top horn.  Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have a little wear, plenty of life in them; 7/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.