Up for sale, a 1997 Fender Telecaster ‘52 vintage reissue model TL52-80TX in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. An uncommon first-year iteration of the TL52-80TX model, this example is notable for retaining "Made in Japan" branding.

Built for the Japanese domestic market and discontinued long ago, the TL52-80TX Telecaster offered stiff competition for Fender's American Vintage series instruments. Featuring an ash body, one-piece maple neck with a prominent V-shaped profile carve, and a pair of factory-installed Fender USA Texas Special pickups, this guitar delivers on the promise of a classic Tele tonal palette. Fat and throaty in the neck position, chiming and cutting in the middle, and offering a chewy, snappy sparkle and twang in the bridge position, this guitar covers traditional Tele ground, and the slightly overwound Texas Specials offer a bit more midrange fullness and kick. This TL52-80TX weighs 7lbs 11oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Substantial soft V, measuring .895” 1st fret, .980” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style, Gotoh
-Factory Markings: “Made in Japan,” TL52-TX stamp on neck heel

Body Specs:

-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: USA-made Texas Special single coils
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: “Pat. Pend” bridge, brass saddles, dome-top knurled knobs, all flathead screws
-Plastics: Five-screw one-ply black pickguard, '52-spec switch tip
Serialization: A-prefix serial on bridge base

Cosmetic wear on the gloss Vintage Natural (Butterscotch) finish is limited to one ding on top central to the lower bout, a few small chips along the perimeter, and a few small marks on the back. The neck profile retains its smooth ambered gloss.

The original gigbag is included.