Fender Telecaster Natural 1978
Fender Telecaster, natural finish, made in USA 1978. This is a pretty classic take on the Tele: it's here to do a job, and it nails the brief. The late 70s era Telecaster has a few distinctive appointments: F-key tuners, bold black CBS-era logos, a choice of maple or rosewood for the board, an ash body and the bridge with the three steel saddles. We had our buddy in NW Tassie rewind the neck pickup, as it had a break in the wire; it's sounding excellent now: clear, balanced, glassy and fat. The bridge pickup is bright and a bit more abrupt, with an abundance of chime up high and a generous midrange kick. It's a great sound for funk, soul or blues stuff as it has so much attack and definition, but also works a treat in the middle position for big open chords. The neck is pretty slim and in good order despite the decades on the clock; it's straight and stable with plenty of life in the frets. The ash body is on proper display under the thin clear finish, which was applied many moons ago after losing the original sunburst. If you're after a 70s Tele to slice through the mix right into your affection, here's just the thing.
Model: Fender Telecaster
Made: USA, 1978, Fullerton factory
Serial: S831347
Finish: natural, gloss poly, refinished; originally sunburst
Body: ash
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard
Weight: 4.455kg
Mods: neck pickup re-wound, saddles replaced, body refinished
Pickups: Fender single coil x2
Accessories: basic non-original hard case, original bridge saddles
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and scuffs on the end and both edges and some rub wear near the nut on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some minor dents, dimples and scuffs on the back. The back has a bunch of small chips in the clear coat on the top horn, near the neck plate, bottom horn and bottom edge, as well as some rub wear along the back and top edge and widespread scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor clear coat chips ,scuffs and dimples around the whole body. The front has dimples around the controls, scuffs and some dents along the back edge, clear coat chips and some rub wear in the elbow area, dents on the top horn and some rub wear on the guard and horns from play.
Overall: 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 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only