After the true golden era of Fender and before the dark ages of the 70s, quality instruments did continue to be produced, and this here Telecaster from 1969 is one such example.

Condition wise this is a nicely played in instrument, but one that has clearly also been well looked after. The body has a few chips and dings, while the neck looks to be in remarkably good shape for a guitar of its age, still retaining most of its glossy finish. The maple fingerboard is in excellent shape, and the frets are actually in really good condition and have plenty of life left. It is also a rare for this period, super light example at just 3.13 Kg.

The pickguard has been replaced with a good quality repro, these early plastic Tele pick guards do often crack through shrinkage, other than that, hardware is original. The bottom strap button has been recessed in for some reason but is still usable.

There’s something eternally cool about a blonde Tele, and this guitar is no exception. The finish has hardly had any fade at all (see pics of under guard). There are a few bumps and knocks but the overall look is very clean, the advantage of the slightly thicker finish is clear.

Electronically everything is correct including the treble-bleed capacitor across the volume pot that was a new feature for 1968. All pickups are original windings and do in fact sound real good. Classic Tele.

The guitar comes with a correct Black Tolex Fender hardshell case.

This guitar certainly has plenty to offer sonically. The neck pickup delivers a smooth tone with plenty of clarity and a great rhythm tone that evokes a Stax sound. The bridge pickup has all the bite you’d want without getting too far towards the harshness that later incarnations tended to drift. The middle position blends both wonderfully. The neck is very comfortable and it doesn’t take to long to fall for this guitar.

Not the immediate go to for those looking for classic Fender tones but this guitar is worth more than a cursory glance and will definitely surprise you.

All in this is a great playing and sounding guitar, ready and waiting to continue life as a working instrument, don’t let this one get away…