Fender Tele Deluxe, transparent cherry, made in Japan 2010-11. The Mexican-made equivalent of these pops up occasionally, but these MIJ takes on the Tele Deluxe are very scarce. The Deluxe is the third point in the alternative-Tele triangle, alongside the Tele Custom and Tele Thinline; it's by far the rarest of the three as it was only a catalog model from around 1986-91. This one is a later model, part of a limited run produced around 2010. You get some cool features: a big 70s headstock with Schaller F-key tuners, maple board, ash body with a comfy belly carve and a pair of Wide-Range style humbuckers with LP-esque electronics. The cherry red finish would be more at home on a Gibson SG; it look awesome and lets the wide grain lines of the ash body peek through beautifully. The red/black/maple combo is very rock and roll; fitting for a guitar that'll play punk or grunge so well. The humbuckers are an aural delight: open, bright and articulate but with a sweet grind and crunch through the midrange that eats up overdrive with gleeful enthusiasm. The neck is slim and quick and easy to get along with; combined with the lightweight body this is a very easy player. These pop up very seldom, so if it's got you sweating don't deliberate too long.

Model: Fender '74 Reissue Telecaster Deluxe (TD74-LTD)
Made: Japan, 2005-6, (serial U042382)
Finish: gloss transparent cherry, 3-ply black guard
Body: ash
Neck: maple w/ maple board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.350kg
Mods: neck pickup replaced with genuine Fender part
Pickups: Fender Wide Range Humbuckers
Case: very basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Neck and headstock pretty clean. The back has a couple of very light scratches between the ferrules and the neck plate and a couple of minor dimples behind the ferrules. The sides are pretty clean, just some very minor dimples near the knobs and on the shoulder. The front has no major marks, just a couple of dimples on the shoulder and behind the bridge and some very minor play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8.5/10).

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 great shape with very little wear, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.