1998 Fender 1998 Collectors Series Tele Sunburst

Summary: In early 1951, Fender renamed its only production solid-body guitar the Telecaster, replacing the short-lived Broadcaster moniker used in late 1950. The Telecaster quickly became the guitar of its age, propelling the status of the solid-body electric guitar from novelty to the defining instrument of popular music. Like most long-lasting guitar models, the Tele has seen its share of variations and specialty models come off the line since the early '50s. The standard no-frills Telecaster, however, has stayed largely the same, strutting two single-coil pickups, a slab body of Ash (or later Alder), and an unmistakable twang that helped shape the sound of country and rock music. In 1998, Fender produced a limited run of Collector's Edition Telecasters modeled after a '55 with gold hardware. This particular tele is #0669 out of 1998 and it’s in great shape!

Body: Solid body Telecaster with a 2-piece ash body and a beautiful old school 1950’s sunburst finish.

Neck: 1 piece maple neck with pearloid dot inlays, 21 frets, 1 11/16” nut width, 25.5” scale length, gold Kluson Deluxe style tuning keys.

Pickups/Hardware: Gold hardware, white 1 ply plastic pickguard, master tone, master volume, 3-way switch, 2 single coil pickups, 1998 inlaid at the 12th fret.

Cosmetics: This 1998 Fender does show some signs of wear – the gold is tarnished in a few places like the lipstick pickup and near the control panel, lots of pick scratches on the pickguard, one big ding on the body between the pickguard & the bridge, lots of small dings on the body and some pitting in the finish on the back of the guitar. Overall this baby feels, sounds & looks wonderful & the wear is consistent with a well-loved instrument from the late 1990’s.

Playability: This old school Tele plays great – we just put a new set of 10’s on this beauty and the action is low & the guitar plays great up & down the fingerboard. The big jumbo frets do show some wear but they have got some life left in them.

Modifications: N/A

Weight: 6 lbs, 9 oz.

Case: Brown Tolex vintage style G&G hardshell case with yellow interior