Fender Japan '72 Telecaster TL72-53 Antigua 1996
Fender '72 Tele, crafted in Japan 1996, limited run Antigua finish. I've been buying and selling unusual Fender Japan models for the best part of a decade, and I've never once come across another one of these. Antigua is probably Fender's most divisive finish: you'll either love it or hate it, but it's hard to ignore either way. Most Antigua-finished Fender guitars date to the latter half of the 1970s, so they're often heavy and don't always play and sound especially agreeable. This one is light, lively and sounds outstanding. The neck is a comfy slim U shape, blessed with plenty of hours on the clock and a fast friend. The pickups are simple, but they offer a pleasing balance of thumping fast low end, breathy midrange complexity and top end sparkle. The best Teles sound fat, and this certainly does. The finish has yellowed with the decades and has a certain sepia toned cowboy swagger about it, I think it looks supremely cool. It's possible there's a few of these out there somewhere, but geez: it's a safe bet to guess you've got one shot to land this one.
Model: Fender Japan '72 Telecaster TL72-53
Made: Japan, 1995-6, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: N096784
Finish: Antigua
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, 43mm nut, slim U shape
Weight: 3.565kg
Mods: saddles replaced, pickguard drilled for neck pickup height adjustment screws, one knob replaced, new string trees
Pickups: TL-Current single coil x2
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has minor chips around the edge on the top horn, elbow area, back edge and near the jack, scuffs near the neck join and some dents near the string bushings. The sides have dimples on both horns and some dents and scratches on the elbow area and near the jack. The front has chips near the jack, dimples around the knobs and bridge, a chip and some scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
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 strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only