Fender Telecaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1972), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 387734, Blonde re- finish, ash body, maple neck, black gig bag case.
This traditionally styled blonde Fender Telecaster dates to 1972-3, fully into the CBS '70s but still largely true to its 1968-era specs. This one retains a largely original appearance but has had some work over the past 50+ years; the body has been refinished in blonde, and a refret including a planing and refinishing of the fingerboard was also done. The bridge pickup is original, the neck pickup a replacement. A 1970s period Fender 6-way bridge is installed (likely when or soon after the guitar was bought; this was a dealer option) and the wiring rig is more recent. All that said, it still plays and feels as it should, true to its original roots.
The original solidbody Telecaster with standard single-coil pickups was overshadowed in this period by newer Tele models (The Thinline, Custom and Deluxe) fitted with the new Seth Lover-designed Fender humbucking pickups. Production was lower than the late '60s but the model survived without major alteration nonetheless.
Unlike the revamped Telecaster models, this traditional version retained the original single-coil pickup and wiring layout with master tone and volume controls and 3-way lever switch. The bridge on this guitar is the optional factory 6-saddle piece fashioned from the traditional stamped metal unit, with the lead pickup integrated into it. The "standard" Telecaster neck was not altered to use the then-new 3-bolt tilt attachment system and "bullet" truss rod, retaining the original (and generally preferred) traditional 4-bolt setup.
The blonde finish on this ash body is a bit darker than usual period spec but looks largely correct, with a more "butterscotch" hue than the typical early '70s Tele and some minor blotchiness. It is a very old pro job and it appears that the original poly undercoat is still at least partially intact underneath it. The neck pocket was sanded out for a better neck fit, as is common with older refinishes.
The back, sides and headstock on the maple neck retain the original clear natural poly finish; the fingerboard has been refinished in a thinner lacquer as part of a refret with taller wire than original spec. The SEP 72B stamp on the neck heel is still intact, a throwback to the typical 1960s markings sometimes still used in this period. The serial number also suggests assembly around the turn of 1972-3.
The original bridge pickup is wired to an more recent rig (later pots, wire and switch) set up in the traditional Tele style. The neck pickup is an aftermarket piece with a large magnet under the coil that sounds pretty beefy. The original pickguard, control plate, knobs, strap buttons and tuners are retained; there are several repaired chips in the headstock face where the tuner grommets were removed and replaced (perhaps for the refret?) but no evidence of other tuners fitted.
At 8.9 Lbs. lbs. this particular guitar is certainly not featherweight but also not the heaviest we have had from this period. Even considering the reworking it remains a fine sounding player's example of Fender's most traditional '70s offering. The noble Telecaster suffered less under the CBS regime than many other Fender creations, still retaining its essential character if losing some magic along the way. This one has seen some alteration but nothing that changes the essential tele character.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 12 3/8 in. (31.4 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.)., 8.9 lbs.
As noted this Telecaster has been refinished on the body and fingerboard, while the rest of the neck remains original. This body finish is quite old and shows a decent amount of play wear mostly along the edges. The original neck finish (on the back, sides and headstock) shows some general wear with chips and dings but no major worn-away areas. The later fingerboard finish has very little wear, the replaced frets show some light play wear.
Also as noted the hardware is a mixed bag; the original or period parts (Tuners, String trees, neckplate, pickguard, bridge unit and saddles, bridge pickup, knobs, control plate, strap buttons) show wear commensurate with age but nothing too severe. The pots, switch and wiring in the electronics cavity are more recent and everything works as intended. This is a very solid feeling player's Telecaster offering the typically bright late '60s-'70s snappy sound in the bridge position, with a stronger neck pickup tone than many. Overall it is player's period piece, ready to go housed in a later gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.
