Fender Telecaster '52 Re-Issue AVRI Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982)
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Fender Telecaster '52 Re-Issue AVRI Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 3073, blonde finish, ash body, maple neck, original tweed hard shell case.
Around the time the CBS/Fender era was coming to an end, criticism from musicians that the corporation had long been sacrificing quality to profitability had begun to sink in with the folks running the company. A group of Fender executives initiated a project to re-issue selected models in their older formats to prove that they could achieve a return to pre-CBS quality. This led to a set of Fenders which were carefully made reproductions of 1950s and '60s classics produced in the original Fullerton, California production facility. These Fullerton-made instruments have become quite sought after in the years since and are known by the collector's acronym -- "AVRI" for "American Vintage Re Issue".
This 1982-built 1952 reissue "blackguard" Telecaster is one of the gems of that short-lived Fullerton-made AVRI line, in production there for only about two years. This was perhaps the signature model of the entire series, a statement from the Fender company intended to recapture their original glories. Many players of the time heartily applauded Fender's attempt to re-engage their own history and the instruments were generally well-received.
Designed as a close copy of the original 1952 Telecaster, the 1982 52 American Vintage Reissue features a 21-fret one-piece maple neck, vintage-size frets, blonde-finished ash body, black pickguard, original style brass saddle 3-saddle bridge and all slot-head screws, something then not used at Fender in 30 years. The body edges are just a bit rounder than an original '52 and the neck somewhat slimmer in profile, but overall this guitar represents a laudable attempt (the first of many!) to recapture the 1950's "Blackguard' magic.
This guitar is a very early production example assembled in Spring 1982, when the AVRI line was being launched in a blaze of publicity. The bridge plate is stamped with serial number 3073; the neck is dated 3-27-82 with a small ink stamp on the underside. The neck heel and neck pocket have large "Vintage" ink stamps and some small inspectors marks. The original certificate signed by Bill Schultz dated April 23, 1982 is still in the case.
This guitar is original, except the bridge pickup appears to have been re-potted in wax, the tone pot replaced and some wiring has been redone. the 3-way pickup selector is still wired in the 1952 "Mud cap" format, faithful to the original if not particularly useful to most players. Both pickups can be engaged together by carefully balancing the lever switch. In the case is a 6-way adjustable bridge that was included when new as an upgrade option.
While these guitars are not EXACTLY accurate re-creations, they were far closer than anything Fender had built since 1966 to Leo's original creations. The Fullerton reissue era was sadly brief lasting only from 1982-84, as Fender was then sold off by CBS and moved to a new Corona, CA factory in 1985. These Fullerton guitars -- made on some of the old machines dating back to the '50s and '60s -- are prized today for their rarity, tone, and direct connection to the original Fender company.
Overall length is 38 5/8 in. (98.1 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar has been with the original owner since new (the 1982 receipt is still in the case!) and shows some wear but generally was well cared for. The finish has some dings and dents, with a small touched up spot above the control and some chips to the tip of the headstock. The pickup appears to have been potted, and the tone pot is a replacement (along with probably some caps) so some solder joints were re-done. All else appears original; the original frets were crowned down a bit and still play well.
This second-generation blackguard Tele sounds great, still housed in the original heavy duty tweed re-issue case with a package of the original paperwork. This includes the extra 6-saddle bridge with instructions, case keys, instruction manual and certificate of authenticity dated April 23, 1982. Now 42 years old this guitar stamped "Vintage" at the factory is sliding into that being actually the case! Overall Excellent - Condition.
Around the time the CBS/Fender era was coming to an end, criticism from musicians that the corporation had long been sacrificing quality to profitability had begun to sink in with the folks running the company. A group of Fender executives initiated a project to re-issue selected models in their older formats to prove that they could achieve a return to pre-CBS quality. This led to a set of Fenders which were carefully made reproductions of 1950s and '60s classics produced in the original Fullerton, California production facility. These Fullerton-made instruments have become quite sought after in the years since and are known by the collector's acronym -- "AVRI" for "American Vintage Re Issue".
This 1982-built 1952 reissue "blackguard" Telecaster is one of the gems of that short-lived Fullerton-made AVRI line, in production there for only about two years. This was perhaps the signature model of the entire series, a statement from the Fender company intended to recapture their original glories. Many players of the time heartily applauded Fender's attempt to re-engage their own history and the instruments were generally well-received.
Designed as a close copy of the original 1952 Telecaster, the 1982 52 American Vintage Reissue features a 21-fret one-piece maple neck, vintage-size frets, blonde-finished ash body, black pickguard, original style brass saddle 3-saddle bridge and all slot-head screws, something then not used at Fender in 30 years. The body edges are just a bit rounder than an original '52 and the neck somewhat slimmer in profile, but overall this guitar represents a laudable attempt (the first of many!) to recapture the 1950's "Blackguard' magic.
This guitar is a very early production example assembled in Spring 1982, when the AVRI line was being launched in a blaze of publicity. The bridge plate is stamped with serial number 3073; the neck is dated 3-27-82 with a small ink stamp on the underside. The neck heel and neck pocket have large "Vintage" ink stamps and some small inspectors marks. The original certificate signed by Bill Schultz dated April 23, 1982 is still in the case.
This guitar is original, except the bridge pickup appears to have been re-potted in wax, the tone pot replaced and some wiring has been redone. the 3-way pickup selector is still wired in the 1952 "Mud cap" format, faithful to the original if not particularly useful to most players. Both pickups can be engaged together by carefully balancing the lever switch. In the case is a 6-way adjustable bridge that was included when new as an upgrade option.
While these guitars are not EXACTLY accurate re-creations, they were far closer than anything Fender had built since 1966 to Leo's original creations. The Fullerton reissue era was sadly brief lasting only from 1982-84, as Fender was then sold off by CBS and moved to a new Corona, CA factory in 1985. These Fullerton guitars -- made on some of the old machines dating back to the '50s and '60s -- are prized today for their rarity, tone, and direct connection to the original Fender company.
Overall length is 38 5/8 in. (98.1 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar has been with the original owner since new (the 1982 receipt is still in the case!) and shows some wear but generally was well cared for. The finish has some dings and dents, with a small touched up spot above the control and some chips to the tip of the headstock. The pickup appears to have been potted, and the tone pot is a replacement (along with probably some caps) so some solder joints were re-done. All else appears original; the original frets were crowned down a bit and still play well.
This second-generation blackguard Tele sounds great, still housed in the original heavy duty tweed re-issue case with a package of the original paperwork. This includes the extra 6-saddle bridge with instructions, case keys, instruction manual and certificate of authenticity dated April 23, 1982. Now 42 years old this guitar stamped "Vintage" at the factory is sliding into that being actually the case! Overall Excellent - Condition.