Fender Telecaster Custom with Gold Hardware Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966)
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Item # 9287
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Fender Telecaster Custom with Gold Hardware Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Fullerton, California, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck, period black tolex hard shell case.
This beautiful Telecaster Custom was built just over 1 1/2 years after Fender became CBS/Fender, and is still a wonderful instrument in the grand Leo tradition. This is a top-line Telecaster; in addition to the bound, sunburst finished body it has a rare combination of extra-cost special order features. The maple neck with a separate laid-on fingerboard and factory gold-plated hardware were both available as upgrades through Fender dealers; the maple neck is still fairly rare in 1966 and the gold-plating option is almost never encountered on the relatively humble Teles.
The neck date is August 1966 and the pots are date coded to the 17th and 18th weeks of that year. Other evolving features of the Telecaster Custom specific to this era include a wide bevel 3-ply laminated white plastic pickguard (replacing the earlier 3-ply greenish nitrocellulose version) and a bright "target" 3-color sunburst lacquer finish. Older features soon to vanish are the small logo decal and traditional Kluson tuners, both "upgraded" by CBS the next year. Aside from its sheer rarity this is a great sounding and playing guitar, easily one of the best and coolest "CBS-era" Fenders we have had!
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar has been played fairly heavily but not abused, and shows some typical wear and tear but no major alterations. The body is relatively clean with a bright, unfaded finish and shows normal wear including small scuffs, chips, scratches, nitro crazing, etc. .It remains original except for an old refret with vintage correct-sized wire, a replaced nut, and a filled in extra string tree hole on the headstock. The neck has typical play wear, and there are a tiny chips around some of the frets from the wire being pulled for the refret job.
The pickups, wiring and internal components are original except the "mud cap" has been removed and the switching altered to the typical modern layout with the lever switch selecting neck/neck-bridge/bridge pickup positions. This is simply a great feeling and playing Tele Custom, fairly light at just under 7 LBs and as sharp looking as they come. It is housed in a clean period correct black Tolex Fender case that has also been home to a Stratocaster and a Bigsby Tele over the years. It has a fantastic sound as well, with a particularly lively bridge pickup. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This beautiful Telecaster Custom was built just over 1 1/2 years after Fender became CBS/Fender, and is still a wonderful instrument in the grand Leo tradition. This is a top-line Telecaster; in addition to the bound, sunburst finished body it has a rare combination of extra-cost special order features. The maple neck with a separate laid-on fingerboard and factory gold-plated hardware were both available as upgrades through Fender dealers; the maple neck is still fairly rare in 1966 and the gold-plating option is almost never encountered on the relatively humble Teles.
The neck date is August 1966 and the pots are date coded to the 17th and 18th weeks of that year. Other evolving features of the Telecaster Custom specific to this era include a wide bevel 3-ply laminated white plastic pickguard (replacing the earlier 3-ply greenish nitrocellulose version) and a bright "target" 3-color sunburst lacquer finish. Older features soon to vanish are the small logo decal and traditional Kluson tuners, both "upgraded" by CBS the next year. Aside from its sheer rarity this is a great sounding and playing guitar, easily one of the best and coolest "CBS-era" Fenders we have had!
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar has been played fairly heavily but not abused, and shows some typical wear and tear but no major alterations. The body is relatively clean with a bright, unfaded finish and shows normal wear including small scuffs, chips, scratches, nitro crazing, etc. .It remains original except for an old refret with vintage correct-sized wire, a replaced nut, and a filled in extra string tree hole on the headstock. The neck has typical play wear, and there are a tiny chips around some of the frets from the wire being pulled for the refret job.
The pickups, wiring and internal components are original except the "mud cap" has been removed and the switching altered to the typical modern layout with the lever switch selecting neck/neck-bridge/bridge pickup positions. This is simply a great feeling and playing Tele Custom, fairly light at just under 7 LBs and as sharp looking as they come. It is housed in a clean period correct black Tolex Fender case that has also been home to a Stratocaster and a Bigsby Tele over the years. It has a fantastic sound as well, with a particularly lively bridge pickup. Overall Excellent - Condition.