Fender Telecaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1969), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 226809, blonde finish, ash body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a very fine example of a 1969 Telecaster with a factory-fitted Bigsby vibrato, one of the better new ideas CBS-Fender brought into production after acquiring the company. The CBS blueprints for the "F" branded Bigsby tailpiece were dated to the beginning of September 1967; this guitar's one-piece maple neck is dated May '69, and the pots are from mid-1966 (CBS bought so many pots that year they are common into 1970). The original finish shows very little fade and the hardware is original and complete including the "F" tuners, Pearloid-on-the-reverse white pickguard and Jazzmaster style bridge. A great sounding guitar with a lot of twang from the bridge pickup and a surprisingly dark and rich tone from the fingerboard unit. Absolutely one of the nicest Bigsby Teles 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.). All original and very clean, a truly splendid example. There are a few finish rubs to the edges, and general handling wear but this is a very well-cared for guitar. The frets show a slightly lower crown in the first position area and there is a little wear along the treble edge of the fingerboard thereabouts. The pickguard had shrunk slightly and one corner has split off above the bridge. For 46+ years this is well below average wear and tear and this Tele is as ready to twang the night away just like it was 1969 again! Excellent + Condition.
