Up for sale, a 1989 Fender Custom Shop Telecaster left-handed 1952 vintage reissue in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original tweed hardshell case, factory paperwork/hangtags, and all case candy. Hand-signed and dated in the neck pocket and heel by two Fender Master Builders, Fred Stuart and Scott Buehl, this Tele was crafted by some of the most storied names in Fender's Custom Shop history, representative of the exacting standards of a Custom Shop producing a small number of instruments at this early stage. This particular Tele was ordered by Fender's Japanese distributor Yamano for sale in the Japanese market, and retains the Yamano-specific paperwork.
1950s-centric tonewoods include an ash body and a one-piece maple neck, and this Tele is featherweight at 6lbs 10oz. The pickups feature black fiber flatwork, push-back cloth-covered leads, and flush-mount alnico pole pieces, yielding a chewy twang, percussive cut, and round, punchy snap. This left-handed Custom Shop Telecaster has been 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 .850” 1st fret, .915” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Slender, pristine
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1 5/8”, bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style
-Serialization: V-prefix engraved on neck plate, early Custom Shop logo on back of peghead-Stamps: Neck heel/pocket hand-signed by Fender Master Builders Fred Stuart (7-89) and Scott Buehl (8-18-89)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Custom Shop single coil x2
-Harness: Untouched solder, CTS pots date to 1988
-Hardware: Bridge with brass barrel saddles, “ashtray” bridge cover included in case, all flathead screws (vintage spec)
-Plastics: Round switch tip, five-screw “blackguard” retains Fender Customs Inspection advert
The gloss Butterscotch nitro lacquer finish exhibits only a bit of light buckle wear central to the back, with just a couple microscopic marks on the top and perimeter. The ambered gloss on the neck profile is pristine.
The original tweed hardshell case is included, along with all of the factory paperwork, Yamano-specific documentation, and case candy (Fender strap, “ashtray” bridge cover, and replacement 1 Meg pot + tone cap).