1983 Fender Elite Telecaster Left-Handed Version Black

Offered for sale:

Used 1983 Fender Elite Telecaster Left-Handed Version serial number E321392.

This guitar is in very good, showing limited playing time. Cosmetically very clean with the exception of one belt buckle scratch on the back and some pick scratches.

This is a rather rare guitar as Fender introduced the Elite Series in 1983 and ended it in 1984.

The Elite Telecaster features several radical changes made to the traditional Telecaster. These include a heavy cast 6-saddle top-loading bridge, noise-cancelling pickups with alnico 2 magnets, active TBX and MDX tone controls capable of creating fat humbucking and cutting single-coil sounds (these tone controls are similar to the current Eric Clapton Strats), knobs with a serrated rubber insert for easy gripping, and a 3-way toggle switch. Elite Telecaster necks featured a Bi-flex truss rod, jumbo frets, and a 12" radius fretboard.

Back story on the Elite series:

“After CBS purchased Fender in 1965, dealers and customers began complaining about the declining quality of Fender instruments. As a result, in 1981 CBS hired new management—including Dan Smith as director of marketing. Smith came up with a five-year plan to improve sales with new products of better quality.

After introducing the Vintage Reissue line of guitars and basses, which recreated the classic designs of Fender’s glory years, Smith developed the Elite series. These instruments had state-of-the-art, technologically advanced features for modern playing styles.

The Elite series included a Stratocaster, a Telecaster, and a Precision bass. Each Elite was offered with a gold hardware, a walnut body and a regular version. These instruments were available with maple or rosewood ’board necks, and came in a wide variety of standard and custom colors. The Elites were introduced in June of 1983 and were dropped by the end of 1984 when CBS put Fender Musical Instruments up for sale.”

This is a really unusual and very cool Tele Lefty, if the shoe fits…

Original hard-shell case included.

“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”

GUITAR SPECS:

Year: 1983

Serial number: E321392

Body: Alder

Neck: Maple

Finish: Black

Fingerboard: Maple

Scale Length: 25 ½”

Number of Frets: 21

Bridge: Fender Schaller Freeflyte top loading hardtail bridge

Tuners: Fender sealed back

Pickups: Fender dual‑coil noise‑cancelling Alnico 2 pickups with white covers and non‑exposed pole pieces

Controls: On‑board active 9V preamp with 2 volume pots and Fender’s propriety MDX (MiD‑range eXpander) boost and TBX (Treble/Bass eXpander) controls

Width at Nut: 1 11/16”

Radius: 9 1/2”

Weight: 8.0 lbs.

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

*It is our policy to require a signature on delivery of all musical instruments. Please let us know if you prefer no signature required when ordering or we will automatically require a signature.

If you prefer your item to be sent without a required signature Imperial Guitar and the selected carrier can no longer be responsible for the security of the package once it has been delivered.