Fender AVRI Tele Custom, sunburst, made in USA 2011. We've had a few American Vintage '52 'blackguard' style Teles through the shop, they're always a treat. This, however, is a much less common creation: the 1972 style Telecaster Custom. The original Custom was part of a trio of Telecasters launched together featuring Seth Lover's then-new Wide Range humbucking pickups: the Deluxe, Thinline and the Custom. The Custom got a Wide Range in the neck position, a traditional single coil in the bridge spot, with LP-style VVTT controls and the cool big pickguard. It's a great recipe: the neck pickup is fat and full, with a plump low end and gooey midrange that offer warm, wide cleans or swampy stoner-bluesy dirty tones. The bridge pickup is all twang: bright, open, plenty of kick in the high mids, shimmering clarity. They're great on their own, and counterbalance beautifully together in the middle position. We've had plenty of Japan-made versions of this model, but these AVRI examples kick things up a gear: that swamp ash body is lightweight on the shoulders and easy on the eyes, and the thin gloss nitro finish brings everything to life perfectly. It's the kind of finish that rewards close inspection: lots of little details to appreciate in the grain, and the way the nitro catches the light and brings out the colours is a bit magic. The neck is a slim U style shape, rounded and comfy without being stick-skinny or awkwardly fat. These don't exactly come up often in this part of the world: this is the only one we've ever had in the shop, so hey: one shot!

Model: Fender American Vintage '72 Telecaster Custom
Made: USA, neck and body dated 2011, Corona factory
Serial: V05463
Finish: three color sunburst, gloss nitro
Body: swamp ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim U shape
Weight: 3.590kg
Mods: saddles replaced
Pickups: American Vintage Wide Range Humbucking (neck), Telecaster Single Coil (bridge)
Accessories: G&G hard case, original documents, six saddle bridge plate, ashtray cover

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a dimple on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear only. The back has a couple of dimples and a surface scratch on the top horn, minor scuffs on the bottom horn, bottom corner, back edge and elbow area and some rub wear in the middle of the body. The sides have minor dimples on the top horn, scuffs in the elbow area, dimples near the jack and some dimples and rub wear on the bottom horn. The front has a minor chip on the edge on the bottom horn, minor scuffs in the elbow area and around the bridge, dimples near the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

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: 8/10, minor wear only