(SOLD) Fender Japan Full Walnut '68 Telecaster TL68-TX/WAL 2003
Fender '68 Telecaster, limited run full walnut version, crafted in Japan 2002-4. Here's one you don't see everyday! Around 1990, Fender Japan offered a limited run of guitars and basses with bodies and necks made of solid walnut. There's a few versions of the model that look like this but are in fact ash or alder stained to walnut colour, but this here is the full monty: a big ol' slab of walnut for the body and another for the neck. That has a huge impact on the tone: there's a massive natural bass response on offer, as well as a certain buttery smoothness and stomping strength to the attack that's an absolute pleasure to hear. There's still plenty of chime, clarity and 'twang', plus the Texas Special pickups eat up overdrive with great enthusiasm... this is truly a stellar sounding guitar. Now, this barely needs mentioning but... holy heck, it's gorgeous! Walnut has a grain structure that's pretty different to ash or alder; it's a seriously luxurious looking beast. The late sixties decal and high quality F-key tuners add to the classy aesthetic. We've thrown in a high quality Fender flight case; how nice of us, right? Don't wait for the next one, because frankly, it'll probably never come.
Model: Fender '68 Reissue Telecaster (TL68-TX/WAL)
Made: Japan, 2002-4, Dyna plant (serial Q027566)
Finish: natural gloss poly over walnut
Body: solid walnut
Neck: walnut, rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 4.280kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA Texas Special single coils
Case: none original Fender deluxe ABS hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands with minor dimples on the back and up the top of the sides of the fingerboard only. The back has some very light scuffs and surface scratches but no major marks. The sides are also pretty good, just a few dimples near the jack and on the bottom horn. The front has no major marks, just some tiny dimples near the control plate, light discolouration near the neck pickup and some normal play scratches on the guard and top horn. 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. The frets are in good condition with heaps of life left, 8/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.