Fender American Select Telecaster Violin Burst 2012
Fender American Select Telecaster, violin burst, made in USA 2012. The Select series popped up very briefly in 2012 and was made in limited numbers; this one is one of two hundred made. The idea, apparently, was for the mainline Corona factory to make the absolute best instruments they could, using the best timber they had, with high grade electronics and a fancy finish, to see if they could out-do the Custom Shop. They kinda can: this is really quite something. First, the body: it's lightweight ash, with a gorgeous flame maple cap, with some really lovely figuring. The finish is rubbed in by hand, so that dark stain on the back and the violin burst on the front has a gorgeous depth and detail to it. The neck is more crazy flame maple: a nice piece, carved to a comfy modern C shape with a fancy 9.5-14" compound radius for super slick playability. Both body and neck are finished in thin gloss nitro, which looks and feels great. The pickups were made just for this series, and paired with a no-load tone pot for extra juice. It sounds excellent: super clear and snappy, with gorgeous hi-fi zing through the top end, wide airy mids and a piano-like, percussive bass. It's a modern take on the classic Tele twang, and it will surely translate across just about any genre with ease and composure. These are very discontinued and certainly not getting any easier to find as the years roll on, so you may as well Select yourself before you wreck yourself.
Model: Fender American Select Telecaster
Made: USA, August 2012, Corona factory (more info here)
Serial: US11293133 (1 of 200)
Finish: hand rubbed violin burst, gloss nitro
Body: ash, flame maple top
Neck: flame maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, modern C shape
Weight: 3.480kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender G&G Deluxe tweed case
Accessories: original case and docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor dimples on the top edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has some minor scuffs around the ferrules, in the elbow area and in the bottom corner. The sides have some scuffs in the elbow area, dimples near the rear strap pin and near the jack and some rub wear on the bottom horn. The front has some scuffs around the knobs and along the back edge, some dimples in the elbow area and some light play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
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: 9/10, minor wear only