Up for sale, a 2017 Fender Traditional ‘50s Telecaster in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. This “Made in Japan” Telecaster is uncommon outside of its country of origin, with vintage-spec touches including a prominent U-shaped profile carve, brass saddles, and vintage-voiced single coil pickups.
The tonewood complement includes a basswood body and a one-piece maple neck, and this Tele has plenty of natural chime and brightness. The pickup pair offers ample twang at the bridge and a rounder, bell-like tone at the neck, with a clear percussive cut in every position on the three-way toggle. Weighing 7lbs 6oz, this Tele benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
The one-piece maple neck has a substantial U-shaped profile carve with generous shoulders, lightly rolled fretboard edges, and ideal heft, measuring .905” deep at the 1st fret and .955” at the 12th. The fretboard has a vintage-spec 7 1/4“ radius, and the slender fretwire is practically perfect. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod, and the bone nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. The headstock sports a round string tree and ‘50s-style logo, and the Kluson-style tuning machines turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch. The “Made in Japan” text and JD17-prefix serial are present on the back of the headstock.
All of the electronics function as intended, with a three-way pickup selector switch and Master Volume and Tone controls. The chrome-plated control plate, dome-topped knurled knobs, and “Pat. Pend” bridge base all shine like new, with light patina on the trio of brass saddles. The one-ply matte black pickguard has a five-screw design for that faithful “blackguard” look, and is also notably clean. The gloss transparent “US Blonde” finish exhibits just a scant few tiny nicks on the body as a whole, while the gloss finish on the neck is immaculate.
The original Fender-branded gigbag is included.