Fender Tele Deluxe, sunburst, made in Japan 2007-10. The Mexican-made equivalent of these pops up occasionally, but these MIJ takes on the Tele Deluxe are quite tricky to find. The Deluxe is the third point in Fender's 1972 alternative-Tele triangle, alongside the Tele Custom and Tele Thinline. In Fender Japan land, it's by far the rarest of the three, as it was only a catalog model from around 1986-91. This one is a later model, part of a limited run produced around 2007. You get some cool features: a big 70s headstock with Schaller F-key tuners, maple board, ash body with a comfy belly carve and a pair of Wide-Range style humbuckers with LP-esque electronics. I'm not usually a big sunburst guy, but paired with the black guard, maple board, bold logos and maple board, I reckon it looks fantastic. Those wavy wide ash grain lines on show near the bridge are beautiful too, it has an understated class about it. The pickups are great: thick and juicy with heaps of low end heft, but clear and chiming through the top end and breathy and wide through the mids. It really is an outstanding tone for rock or punk rhythm parts or more fiddly midwest-emo type stuff, as it's got a great balance of attack, heft, sustain, detail and clarity. The neck is a rounded U style shape, neither super fat nor thin, and paired with reasonably weighted body with a belly carve, it's a bit more refined and comfy to play than many other vintage style Tele models. I'm a huge fan of these models, and they're a giant pain to source, so you've probably got one shot at it this year... don't miss!

Model: Fender '74 Reissue Telecaster Deluxe (TD74-LTD)
Made: Japan, 2007-10, Dyna Gakki plant (serial T097295)
Finish: 3-tone sunburst, gloss poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: ash
Neck: maple w/ maple board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, 70s U shape
Weight: 3.555kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan Wide Range Humbucker x2
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread light scuffs around the whole body, but no major marks. The sides have minor scuffs in the elbow area and minor dimples near the jack. The front has minor scuffs in the elbow area and along the back edge near the knobs, as well as 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. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.