Up for sale, a 1968 Fender Telecaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order, equipped with a Bigsby B5F vibrato and complete with the original hardshell case. Purportedly originally owned by Allan Lainer, co-founder of Blue Oyster Cult and contributor to records by The Clash and Patti Smith, this Telecaster is an extremely soulful example. While no supporting documentation of Lainer's ownership is included, the story merits inclusion.

This ash-bodied Telecaster is lively and powerful sounding, 100% original save for a professional refret and corresponding bone nut. Tonewoods comprise an ash body, nitro lacquer-finished maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard (somewhat less common than a maple fretboard in this model year), yielding a natural midrange kick and defined note attack. The guitar weighs 8lbs 3oz, loaded with the original single coil pickup pair. The staggered alnico pole pieces and baseplate on the bridge pickup ensure plenty of chewy twang and authoritative snap, while the neck pickup has a silky rhythmic cut and bell-like sparkle. This Telecaster benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .820” 1st fret, .900” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Medium jumbo, refretted, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1 9/16", bone (upgraded)
-Tuners: Fender "F" tuners (different tuners installed in guitar's lifetime)
-Serialization: Six-digit on "F" neck plate
-Factory Markings: May, 1968 stamp on neck heel, "paint stick" marking in neck pocket

Body Specs:

-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Single coil x2
-Harness: Untouched solder, Stackpole pots date to 12th week of '66
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Bigsby B5 vibrato, bridge with threaded saddles, flat-topped knurled knobs
-Plastics: Three-ply white pickguard

The guitar features the original Blonde gloss body finish, subtly transparent and uniformly yellowed, with broad finish checking. There are some small finish chips along the body perimeter, lagely on the lower bout edges, and some small nicks consistent with use on the body as a whole. The neck profile, one of the last of the '60s to be finished in nitro lacquer, has a smooth feel.

The original black tolex hardshell case with plush interior is included. The case has black leather ends, functional latches and the stock handle. The original Fender logo on the lid is also present.