Up for sale, a 1983 Fender Telecaster '52 reissue model TL52-65 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, 100% original save for a set of brass saddles. This early JV-serial Tele was produced in the second year of Fender Japan production as part of the "Japanese Vintage" (JV) line, which only lasted from 1982-84. Extremely highly regarded and representative of Fender’s first Blackguard Teles, this TL52-65 features the same black bobbin USA-made pickups as the Fullerton, CA reissue models.

Built on the traditional tonewood platform of a premium ash body and one-piece maple neck, this guitar is a dynamic and soulful instrument with the expected midrange complexity, resonance, and treble articulation, accentuated by USA-made pickup pair, crafted at Fender's Fullerton, CA factory. The bridge pickup features a brass baseplate, black fiber bobbin, flush-mounted alnico pole pieces and push-back cloth-covered leads, delivering dynamic, chewy twang. The neck pickup has ideal fullness and bell-like top end. The guitar weighs 8lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, full shoulders, measuring .830” 1st fret, .925” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Slender, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style, Gotoh
-Serialization: “Made in Japan,” JV-prefix (on bridge base), small blue “65” sticker on headstock denotes original model tier and price (¥65,000)
-Factory Markings: 7/18/83 pencil date on neck heel, "C" stamp in pocket for 65 tier

Body Specs:

-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Fender Fullerton single coil pair
-Harness: Untouched solder, full-size Japanese pots date to March, 1983
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector (modern wiring)
-Hardware: “Pat. Pend” bridge base (JV serial), replacement brass barrel saddles, dome-top knurled knobs, all flathead screws
-Plastics: One-ply matte black five-screw pickguard, ‘52-style switch tip

The Butterscotch gloss finish is 100% original and applied very thinly, with the straight grain of the ash both seen and felt through the gloss. There is one targeted area of finish chipping on the lower bout body edge, and some small dings, largely across the back and behind the bridge on top. The gloss finish on the neck profile is nigh flawless.

The original gigbag, seen paired only with the JV models, is included, with the distinctive large Fender text on the pocket.