(SOLD) Fender Japan '71 Telecaster TL71/ASH US Blonde 2012
Fender '71 Telecaster, made in Japan 2012, US blonde finish. This is gorgeous, it's such a nice thing. US blonde, ironically, is a Japan-only finish: it's a bit diferent to the various other shades of transparent cream/white/blonde etc on the Mex and USa models. It's a subtle, classy cream, with heaps of the ash grain showing through under a gloss topcoat. The two-piece ash body displays some gorgeous grain, it rewards a closer look and exudes a certain confidence. Aside from looking glamourous, this sounds great too. It's bright and twangy, as you'd expect, but there's plenty of weight and juice to the bottom end and the midrange is warm and spacious. It's great for fingerstyle stuff as it cleans up beautifully, but with a dash of gain it eats up big rhythm parts with gleeful abandon. The neck is a typical 70s style U shape, so it's slim at the nut but with a nice little mildy meaty roundness in the back... not thick as such, but not skinny either. It's an intuitive comfy player with plenty of natural resonance. Can't go too wrong here!
Model: Fender '71 Reissue Telecaster (TL71/ASH)
Made: Japan, Dyna plant, 2012 (serial JD12033330)
Finish: US blonde (USB), 3-ply white guard
Body: ash, two piece
Weight: 3.935kg
Neck: maple inc board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, 43mm nut, U-shape
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan TL-Single x 2
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some dimples around the outside edge of the body, mostly in the elbow area, as well as some very light scuffs around the ferrules. The sides have a few dimples on both horns and near the jack, as well as some scuffs and dimples in the elbow area. The front has a few small dimples near the knobs and in the elbow area as well as some play wear on the guard and horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear, there's the start of some pitting but they're pretty even in height with no major buzz issues, 6/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.