Fender Bullet 1 Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982)
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Item # 13324
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Fender Bullet 1 Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982), made in Fullerton, California, serial # E125499, blonde finish, alder body, maple neck, original molded black plastic hard shell case.
The Bullet series of guitars and basses was one of Fender's better ideas in the early 1980's, a new idea in budget instruments to replace the mustang series. Sadly these were only produced for a brief time early in the decade as the company was in disarray at the time, about to be divested from CBS. This Bullet 1 is sort of a play on a Telecaster/Duo-Sonic mashup in form and function mating a slim but full-size 25 1/2 scale one-piece maple neck, a Tele headstock, and a sort of quasi-Telecaster body with two chimey single coils. Fender also offered the H-1 and H-2 humbucker Bullet models, and all three models were also available in Dakota Red. This particular example has been owned and loved in its life by Jeff Tweedy of essential Chicago indie rock band, Wilco.
One of the quirkier things about this design is the bridge which comes out of a single continuous sheet of metal that also constitutes the pickguard! A small lip on the bottom edge of this pickguard folds up into a fixed bridge anchor for six adjustable Tele-style saddles. While it was likely a cheaper production option for Fender, it was also one less puzzle piece to mess with for the new guitarists these were marketed towards. The result is a comfortable to play, almost toylike and lightweight little guitar with a cheerful pro-quality sound. We believe these Bullets were a bright spot in a dark era for the original Fender company and deserved a better fate!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This Bullet remains in excellent all original condition 40+ years on with a little wear here and there, most visibly some chipping to the enamel on the original metal pickguard/bridge with corrosion on the exposed spots. All hardware is original from the tuners and bridge to the cream pickup covers and knobs, as are the electronics inside. It plays and sounds very well and remains an fun, breezy guitar; light, comfortable and a snap to play. This guitar comes in its original black molded Fender-branded hardshell case with the Wilco Loft markings on the bottom edge; inside the case lives a certificate of authenticity from the Wilco Loft validating the provenance of this piece. Overall Excellent - Condition.
The Bullet series of guitars and basses was one of Fender's better ideas in the early 1980's, a new idea in budget instruments to replace the mustang series. Sadly these were only produced for a brief time early in the decade as the company was in disarray at the time, about to be divested from CBS. This Bullet 1 is sort of a play on a Telecaster/Duo-Sonic mashup in form and function mating a slim but full-size 25 1/2 scale one-piece maple neck, a Tele headstock, and a sort of quasi-Telecaster body with two chimey single coils. Fender also offered the H-1 and H-2 humbucker Bullet models, and all three models were also available in Dakota Red. This particular example has been owned and loved in its life by Jeff Tweedy of essential Chicago indie rock band, Wilco.
One of the quirkier things about this design is the bridge which comes out of a single continuous sheet of metal that also constitutes the pickguard! A small lip on the bottom edge of this pickguard folds up into a fixed bridge anchor for six adjustable Tele-style saddles. While it was likely a cheaper production option for Fender, it was also one less puzzle piece to mess with for the new guitarists these were marketed towards. The result is a comfortable to play, almost toylike and lightweight little guitar with a cheerful pro-quality sound. We believe these Bullets were a bright spot in a dark era for the original Fender company and deserved a better fate!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This Bullet remains in excellent all original condition 40+ years on with a little wear here and there, most visibly some chipping to the enamel on the original metal pickguard/bridge with corrosion on the exposed spots. All hardware is original from the tuners and bridge to the cream pickup covers and knobs, as are the electronics inside. It plays and sounds very well and remains an fun, breezy guitar; light, comfortable and a snap to play. This guitar comes in its original black molded Fender-branded hardshell case with the Wilco Loft markings on the bottom edge; inside the case lives a certificate of authenticity from the Wilco Loft validating the provenance of this piece. Overall Excellent - Condition.