Fender '72 Telecaster TL72-55 Vintage Natural 1985
Fender '72 Telecaster, vintage natural, made in Japan 1985-6. If Leo got one design right, it was the Tele. This is a pretty classic take on the genre: generous slab of ash for the body, maple neck and board, black guard, two single coils; it's got to be pretty close to what most folks picture when think of a Telecaster. This one is an 'A serial' example, made just a year or two after those first Fenders ever made outside USA rolled off the line at the famous Fujigen Gakki factory. It's lovely in the hands: resonant and responsive, with a moderately shaped neck and sturdy hardware and that certain played-in personality. The neck has been re-fretted and refinished at some point, and the satin finish on the board shows wear more readily than a gloss would, so it has a bit of a natural relic aesthetic. Paired with the mellowed and yellowed vintage natural tint on the body and CBS-style bold black logos, it looks awesome: it's got an old warhorse vibe about it. The tone is great too. The neck pickup is glassy and wide, with a fat bottom end and quick attack, while the bridge pickup has a raspy midrange growl and plenty of top end snap. The middle position is my favourite, with a gorgeous shimmering balance and breath to it. Even if you only had this one guitar in your quiver forever, life would be pretty grand.
Model: Fender Telecaster TL72-55
Made: Japan, 1985-6, Fujigen Gakki plant
Serial: A029580
Finish: vintage natural, gloss poly
Body: sen ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, moderate U shape
Weight: 3.825kg
Mods: staggered tuners installed, bridge pickup replaced, neck pickup cover removed, re-wired with new capacitor, previously refretted and fretboard refinished in satin
Pickups: Fender Noiseless Gen IV single coil (bridge), TL-Vintage single coil (neck)
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bottom edge and some scratches around the 'telecaster' decal and plugged holes from the string trees on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the front and some play wear and fading on the fretboard. The back has minor rub wear on the horns, dimples in the elbow area and bottom corner and some scuffs along the back edge. The sides have dimples on the top horn and some scuffs and a dent near the jack. The front has scuffs around the controls, behind the bridge and in the elbow area, a dent on the top edge up from the bridge and some play wear on the guard and horns.
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. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only