1994 Fender® 50th Anniversary TLG Telecaster® Black, Excellent, Hard, $699.00

7 lbs. 13 oz. (missing original pickguard)

Clearly one of the most flamboyant of the MIJ Teles is the 1994 “50th Anniversary” Custom Tele (Model TLG-70P & TLG-94P) that was made in 1994 and 1995. Generously adorned with mother of pearl binding, pickguard, fret dots and more gold hardware than a Saudi imported Cadillac, this model has been referred to in collectors’ circles as the “Vegas Tele,” the “Nashville Custom Tele,” and, my personal favorite, the “Saudi Tele.”

According to an early 90’s catalog, Fender Japan had a special team during that era called “Custom Edition Team” (which no longer exists). An imitation of Fender USA’s original Corona Custom Shop, the team consisted of only highly skilled builders and finishers, used only select materials, took custom orders, and produced these “50th Anniversary” Custom Teles in just two finishes—Black and vintage White.

The same model used by U2 guitarist The Edge on “Sunday Bloody Sunday” during U2’s “Elevation” and “Vertigo” tours, this over-the-top Tele features a comfortable “C Shape” neck and weighs in at between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds.

The TLG94 features a basswood body and maple neck with a 25.5” scale rosewood fretboard (21 frets) and white dot inlays. The electronics consist of two original Fender Telecaster single coil pickups, controlled by a 3-way switch with master volume and master tone controls. The neck is adorned with vintage style Fender gold tuners complete with safety posts and a “Custom Edition” decal on the back—once again, reminiscent of the early Corona, California Custom Shop decals.

U029535