Fender Am Trad Tele, made in USA 2001, olympic white. The American Traditional series was a short-lived model mostly sold on to export markets like Japan. They followed the also short-lived California Series and pre-dated the American Specials, but the idea on all these models was pretty similar: USA made guitars, basic hardware, simple colours, affordable prices. The headstock has a 'made in USA' decal on it, although there's a bit of talk around online suggesting that these, like the California Series, had bodies and necks made in Mexico and were then sent to USA for assembly and finishing... hard to know exactly what the process was... but anyway, all that aside, what's it like? Well, friend, I reckon it's very good. The most notable difference between this and an American Standard is the bridge: it's a top-loaders style. That adds a lively, open zing to the tone, so this has an expansive top end and midrange that really brings chords to life in glowing detail. The pickups are ceramic magnets, which work really well and have plenty of output, lending the bridge pickup especially a pleasing dose of juicy low end fullness that loves a serving of overdrive. The neck is a comfy slim C shape, finished in satin and nicely played in, so it's feeling fantastic. The white finish has yellowed and mellowed beautifully over the decades to a warm buttermilk hue, with the golden maple board rounding out the look perfectly. I personally prefer this to the American Standards from the same era, I feel it plays a little more smoothly and sounds a bit more alive. Do you even twang, sister?

Model: Fender American Traditional Telecaster
Made: USA, body date 3 Apr 2001, Corona Factory
Serial: N901323
Finish: arctic white, gloss poly 
Body: poplar
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale. 9.5" radius, modern C style shape
Weight: 3.620kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender American Traditional Telecaster single coil x2
Accessories: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and bottom edge and some scuffs on the top edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some scuffs and discolouration in the bottom corner, along the back edge and the elbow area, as well as some scuffs on both horns and some surface scratches near the top edge in the waist area. The sides have dimples on both horns, small dents and scuffs on the elbow area around past the rear strap pin and some scuffs near the jack. The front has a scratch behind the bridge and on the top edge up from the bridge pickup, minor dimples along the back edge and near the knobs 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.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only