(SOLD) Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster Natural 1997
Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster, natural gloss, made in USA 1997. The American Vintage line launched in 1982 to wide acclaim, recreating instruments from Fender's golden age with alarming accuracy. This borrows a bunch of specs from the original 1952 model: gloss nitro finish, 7.25" radius, single ply black guard, brass barrel saddle bridge, cloth wiring, alnico V pickps... heaps of good stuff. We've had a few of these through in butterscotch, but the gloss natural is a fun alternative. The ash grain has a bunch of gorgeous big wide grain lines and the neck is a lovely golden syrup hue, both complemented by the soft way the nitro reflects light. The neck is a comfy vintage C shape, moderately beefy without being a baseball bat and carved from some lovely maple; it feels instantly familiar in the hands and works a treat. The tone on offer is classic Tele chime: shimmering detail through the mids, wide complex midrange with heaps of depth and breath, percussive tuneful lows. Chances are when you picture a Tele, it looks like this, and it definitely sounds like this... T for terrific.
Model: Fender American Vintage '52 Telecaster
Made: 1997, Corona USA (serial 28340, body date 25 Sep 1997)
Finish: natural, gloss nitro, 1-ply matte black guard
Body: ash, 2-piece
Neck: one piece maple inc board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 3.880kg
Mods: headstock decal replaced, one tuner replaced
Pickups: Fender American Vintage '52 single coil x2
Case: basic non original hard case, reasonable quality, fair condition, no docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end, bottom and back, as well as some scuffs around the decal from when it's been replaced. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back and edges only. The back has some dimples in the neck plate and top horn areas, as well as some scuffs on the top and back edges and a bunch of sticker fade marks. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body and the standard lacquer-only cracks around the neck pocket; no major marks. The front has some dimples around the bridge and elbow area, as well as some scuffs around the back and bottom edges, sticker fade marks around the body and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear, including some minor pitting, but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 6/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.