Fender American Vintage '64 Telecaster Lake Placid Blue 2012
Fender American Vintage '64 Tele, lake placid, made in USA 2012. The American Vintage series launched in 1982 to great acclaim, and has run almost continuously since. In 2012, this was one notch below a Custom Shop, and quality-wise, the difference is honestly pretty small. 2012 saw a re-boot of the series, and the sixties Tele model went from being a 1962 reissue to a 1964. That meant this model got a couple of interesting '64 specific appointments: silver spaghetti logo, radius laminate rosewood fretboard, a mid-60s C neck shape with a little more meat in the back, '64 voiced pickups, steel spiral saddles and some slick sixties finishes, painted up in Fender's new 'Flash Coat' all nitro lacquer. It adds up beautifully in the hands: the neck feels great, the body is resonant and responsive, the hardware is simple and effective... you find yourself playing without thinking about it too much, it's very agreeable indeed. Plugged in, the magic intensifies: it sounds fantastic. The neck pickup is deep and full with a generous bass response and a glassy top end, while the bridge pickup is creamy and smooth with a pronounced midrange kick. The middle position is so satisfying: balanced and open with a gorgeous airy midrange that lends detail and chime to every note and chord. The blue looks lush too: it's super thin, as evidenced by the few marks and scrapes around the place, but it has a lovely depth and shimmer to it. If I sound like I really like this one, there's a reason... come get it before I keep it.
Model: Fender American Vintage '64 Telecaster
Made: USA, neck date 25 Sep 2012
Serial: V1205307
Finish: lake placid blue, 'Flash Coat' gloss nitro lacquer
Body: alder, two piece
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard
Weight: 3.500kg
Mods: none
Pickups: American Vintage 64 Gray-Bottom Tele single coil x2
Accessories: basic non-original hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a dent and some dimples on the end and some scuffs on the sides where it hung on a hanger. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some minor chips on the bottom edge near the jack and back edge up from the strap pin, as well as widespread minor dimples and surface scratches around the whole body. The sides have some scuffs and some bald patches on the top horn, dimples and dents in the elbow area, minor chips near the rear strap pin, scuffs and dents near the jack and some bald patches and scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has dimples around the knobs and elbow area, scuffs behind 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, normal wear but playing smoothly with no major buzz issues