This guitar is in stunning condition with only slight signs of wear. There is a chip to the finish near the strap button and some discoloration in the same place, probably transfer from something the guitar has rested on. Elswhere there is no sign of use. 

The neck is in great condition with plenty of life left in the frets.  

Plastics and hardware are free of any wear. The guitar comes with both a clear and white pickguard. 

Electricalay there is no sign of any changes and the guitar is still fitted with the Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’67 Single-Coil pickups.

The guitar comes with its correct hardshell case and all the documentation and addition ephemera.

The “Smuggler’s Tele” Reborn

The post-CBS era of Fender threw up some rather weird and wonderful ideas. Most were considered a bit of a failure, but there was some good to come of Fender’s most infamous period. Only a few years into their reign, CBS decided that the already legendary Telecaster needed to shed a pound or two. Most would assume 1968’s Thinline Telecaster was their first attempt at this, but they’d tried an alternative method only a year previous.

In 1967 Fender announced what was later dubbed the “Smuggler’s Tele”, which in all sense and purposes looked like every other Telecaster. All was revealed upon the removal of the pickguard, which uncovered three large cavities in the body. This acted as more of a storage area or “smuggler’s cavity”, for guitarists to hide their conquers or marbles from their band mates…

One of these extremely rare Tele’s would have set you back a whopping $214.50 in ’67, plus a 5% up charge for the maple fretboard alternative. Quite a pricey stash box when you think about it, but they’ve been seen to fetch up $8,000-$10,000 nowadays – so the Custom Shop alternative is something to seriously consider.

As part of Fender Custom Shop’s 2016 Limited run, the “Smuggler’s Tele” was given a fresh lease of life. The guitar comes with both a standard white pickguard, and a see-through plastic guard to showcase the notorious cavities. Period correct features such as the F-stamped Schaller-style tuners and nitrocellulose lacquer all contribute to this fantastic reissue. The timeless Vintage Blonde finish is complemented by Closet Classic ageing, which gives off the vibe of a vintage instrument – without looking too beaten up.

Specification:

Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Body: Ash

Neck: 1-Piece Maple

Neck Plate: 4-Bolt “Limited Edition” Engraved

Neck Profile: Mid ’60s Oval “C”

Fingerboard: Maple

Fingerboard Inlays: Black Dot

Fingerboard Radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)

Nut Width: 1.650″ (42 mm), Bone

Scale Length: 25.5″ (648 mm)

Frets: 21, Medium Jumbo 6105

Pickguard: Clear (Replacement White Pickguard in Case)

Tuners: Vintage-Style

Bridge: 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele with Threaded Saddles

Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup

Pickups: Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’67 Single-Coil Tele

Control Knobs: Knurled Flat-Top

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone