Fender Telecaster Custom Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1967), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 246935, sunburst finish, alder body, maple neck, original black tolex hard shell case.
This superbly well-preserved Telecaster Custom was built just over 2 1/2 years after Fender became CBS/Fender, and is still a wonderful instrument in the grand Leo tradition. The neck date is November 1967 and the pots are date coded to the 31st week of 1966. The evolving features of the Telecaster specific to this era include a wide bevel 3-ply laminated white plastic pickguard (replacing the earlier 3-ply greenish nitrocellulose) with a slightly heavier 3-tone sunburst lacquer finish, a laid-on maple fingerboard (still only available as a custom order feature in 1967), the then-new "big" logo decal (instituted by CBS so the guitar would be more recognizable on TV) and the new-style Fender-made "F plate" tuners.
The Telecaster Custom is distinguished by its body with bound edges, usually finished in sunburst. These were made in much smaller quantities than standard blonde Teles, as they were somewhat more expensive but offered the same sonic character. This one is further distinguished by its maple cap neck, which was an extra-cost option at the time. This guitar's medium light alder body handles perfectly, and the very comfortable neck has a lovely lacquer finish with some checking but minimal wear, much thinner than the Polyester used the next year.
The sunburst lacquer on the bound body has a lovely deep and vibrant red hue. Under the finish on the body (beneath the pickguard) is a pencil notation "2309 W/M-N" which we believe is instructing the assembler to put this order together "with maple neck". That neck also has some lovely burl figure on the back and headstock which is quite unusual for a Telecaster, and may have been made up for this guitar or at least selected specially. This is a supremely cool 1960s Telecaster variation, in superb all original undisturbed condition sounding as great as it looks!
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.).
Wow, this one is not perfect but it really is pretty clean! Yes, there are a few dings and dents, handling marks, and some corrosion on some of the unplated metal parts, but the finish still shines like it's, let's say the summer of 1968. The back has some dings into and in a couple of places through the lacquer, the top has a few small marks. The back of the neck just has some small scuffs and a few tiny paint marks, there is some checking on both sides of the headstock. This close-to-time-capsule Tele pays as good as it looks, with very little fingerboard or fret wear. It includes the original black Tolex HSC (a bit more worn than the guitar) with a very strong "eau du Fendeur" smell (we love it) and the original hangtag, serial numbered for this instrument with the warranty card detached. Excellent + Condition.
