Fender Telecaster Custom 72 Solid Body Electric Guitar (1988)
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Item # 9843
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Fender Telecaster Custom 72 Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1988), made in Japan, serial # H006942, black polyester finish, hardwood body, maple neck, original black gig bag case.
This guitar is a fascinating example of a VERY early "re-issue": Fender Japan's 1980's rendition of one of the American company's better regarded 1970s instruments, the second-generation Telecaster Custom. This model, dubbed the "Custom 72" was introduced in 1984-5, only 12 years after the original. This is a Japanese Market only piece, not intended for distribution in the US at the time and quite a faithful reproduction of the original. If not for the "Fender Japan" on the neckplate and factory Gotoh tuners many players might not immediately notice the difference!
This style Telecaster Custom was originally introduced in the US 1972, a product of CBS/Fender at the beginning of the '70s when Gibson's Les Pauls were experiencing a wave of popularity. The model is a factory-built reflection of a modification many players were making in the field, fitting Fender's Telecaster with a Gibson humbucking pickup. It differs from the standard Telecaster primarily in carrying a new Fender "Wide Range" humbucking pickup in the neck position, while retaining the traditional Telecaster lead pickup at the bridge. This configuration offers the maximum tonal range of any Fender from the period.
The one-piece maple neck carries the newer "bullet" style truss rod adjustment and 3-bolt tilt neck attachment, both feature also direct from the American version. Comparing the two side by side (yes we did it) there are a few noticeable differences, notably the larger script "Custom" on the headstock logo, cast Japanese made tuners and the cheaper barrel saddles on the bridge. There are other small detail differences, but really the amazing thing is how close this comes to the original both visually and sonically.
The Telecaster Custom of this type has proven enduringly popular, widely regarded as one of the best of Fender's 1970s designs. Notable users of this model when new included Keith Richards and Mick Green, and many others have joined in since. Fender Japan obviously noticed its appeal early on, resulting in this curious doppelganger, a reissue of a fairly new guitar at the time!
Overall length is 38 11/16 in. (98.3 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a lightly played and unaltered example of a guitar rarely seen stateside in fine condition for its age. There is minor play and handling wear including scratches and scuffs to the finish but overall it is nicely preserved. The frets and fingerboard have very little wear and it plays very well. At 7.8 LBs it is actually lighter than many 70's US originals and handles very nicely. It sounds pretty close as well; the bridge pickup is bright and spanky in the Japanese Tele tradition but their rendition of Fender's "Full range" humbucker comes closer than one might expect, with plenty of output and a surprisingly rich tone! A cool "dark horse" Tele and a nice example of how Fender Japan really kept the flame going when the US company nearly expired. Excellent Condition.
This guitar is a fascinating example of a VERY early "re-issue": Fender Japan's 1980's rendition of one of the American company's better regarded 1970s instruments, the second-generation Telecaster Custom. This model, dubbed the "Custom 72" was introduced in 1984-5, only 12 years after the original. This is a Japanese Market only piece, not intended for distribution in the US at the time and quite a faithful reproduction of the original. If not for the "Fender Japan" on the neckplate and factory Gotoh tuners many players might not immediately notice the difference!
This style Telecaster Custom was originally introduced in the US 1972, a product of CBS/Fender at the beginning of the '70s when Gibson's Les Pauls were experiencing a wave of popularity. The model is a factory-built reflection of a modification many players were making in the field, fitting Fender's Telecaster with a Gibson humbucking pickup. It differs from the standard Telecaster primarily in carrying a new Fender "Wide Range" humbucking pickup in the neck position, while retaining the traditional Telecaster lead pickup at the bridge. This configuration offers the maximum tonal range of any Fender from the period.
The one-piece maple neck carries the newer "bullet" style truss rod adjustment and 3-bolt tilt neck attachment, both feature also direct from the American version. Comparing the two side by side (yes we did it) there are a few noticeable differences, notably the larger script "Custom" on the headstock logo, cast Japanese made tuners and the cheaper barrel saddles on the bridge. There are other small detail differences, but really the amazing thing is how close this comes to the original both visually and sonically.
The Telecaster Custom of this type has proven enduringly popular, widely regarded as one of the best of Fender's 1970s designs. Notable users of this model when new included Keith Richards and Mick Green, and many others have joined in since. Fender Japan obviously noticed its appeal early on, resulting in this curious doppelganger, a reissue of a fairly new guitar at the time!
Overall length is 38 11/16 in. (98.3 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a lightly played and unaltered example of a guitar rarely seen stateside in fine condition for its age. There is minor play and handling wear including scratches and scuffs to the finish but overall it is nicely preserved. The frets and fingerboard have very little wear and it plays very well. At 7.8 LBs it is actually lighter than many 70's US originals and handles very nicely. It sounds pretty close as well; the bridge pickup is bright and spanky in the Japanese Tele tradition but their rendition of Fender's "Full range" humbucker comes closer than one might expect, with plenty of output and a surprisingly rich tone! A cool "dark horse" Tele and a nice example of how Fender Japan really kept the flame going when the US company nearly expired. Excellent Condition.