Fender Lead II Black 1980
Fender Lead II, black, made in USA 1980. The Lead series was part of Fender's reinvention of their student models at the time, offering some trimmed down takes on Fender designs with simple controls and hardware. This one has been modded: red guard, brass nut, hot bridge pickup... honestly, I'm in for all the changes. The neck is slim and comfy, the hardware holds up nicely and the body delivers plenty of natural resonance. Plug it in, and the pickups deliver the goods: the neck is clear and sparkly with plenty of punch, not dissimilar from a hardtail Strat. The bridge pickup is like a hot Tele, with heaps of midrange kick and plenty of juicy jangle through the top end. There's a lot to like here, it's a practical players' piece and surely a pretty smart buy given it's a forty five year old USA-made Fender. Doesn't include two leads.
Model: Fender Lead II
Made: USA, 1980, Fullerton factory
Serial: E008936
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, modern C shape
Weight: 3.585kg
Mods: string trees replaced, brass nut installed, pickguard replaced, re-wired with single volume control and mini-switches, bridge pickup replaced, knob replaced, strap buttons replaced
Pickups: Fender single coil (neck), ceramic bar style single coil (bridge, brand/model unknown)
Accessories: original Fender case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples and scuffs on the end and edges, dimples on the back along the bottom edge and some scuffs on the front near the end and the Fender logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has scuffs and dimples around the whole body, some case burn near the neck plate and scratches and a sticker fade mark near the string bushings. The sides have dimples on both horns and some scuffs and surface scratches in the elbow area, back edge and near the jack. The front has scuffs around the bridge and back edge, rub wear and dents in the elbow area, a scratch near the front strap pin and 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. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only