(ARCHIVE) Fender Japan '52 Telecaster TL52-75 Natural 1985
- Description
- Guitarchives
Fender '52 Tele, natural finish, made in Japan 1984-6. This is a saucy, saucy item. Fender Japan launched in mid 1982 with the famed JV-serial guitars, which were received as probably the best Fenders made since the 60s. This A-serial example was made in the same factory, by the same staff, just a couple of years later. The bits of wood on deck are stellar: the neck is a superbly tightly grained piece of maple, arrow straight, quartersawn with tasty grain and feeling amazing, and the body is a super light two piece ash number with some sweet cloudy grain on show. It's a superb player, everything just works; you're enjoying yourself straight away. A previous owner upgraded the bridge pickup to a Duncan STL-1, upgraded the pots and cap and added a passive push/pull boost on the tone knob. Boost off, it's a chiming, warm, sparkly and thick Tele twang with heaps of midrange breathiness and a very articulate response. Boost on, it's a thick, juicy almost-Les-Paul rock monster begging for a ripping solo while you stand on the dining table. Business at the front, party at the back... perfect for a 1985 guitar, right?
Model: Fender '52 Reissue Telecaster (TL52-75)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, 1985-6 (serial A043696)
Finish: natural (NAT), single ply black guard
Body: white ash, 2 pieces
Neck: maple, maple board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, 42mm nut, slim C profile
Weight: 3.390kg
Mods: bridge pickup replaced, cavities shielded, locking tuners installed, re-wired with new pots, paper-in-oil cap and push/pull boost on tone knob
Pickups: Fender Japan TL-Vintage single coil (neck), Seymour Duncan STL-1 (br
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of little marks on the end and back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a few little dimples around the middle and top edge, nothing nasty. The sides have a couple of dimples in the elbow area, a chip near the rear strap pin, a chip and some scuffs near the jack and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front has a few marks near the controls, behind the bridge and in the elbow area as well as some play wear on the guard and horns. 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. The frets are in good shape with minor wear, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
This listing is an archived entry. We love to look back and remember fondly what characters we've had through the store, so we keep them around for reference.