1968 Fender Telecaster Blonde Maple Cap Original Nitro Finish 7lbs 4oz!
No sales tax for customers outside California.
Fender stopped using nitrocellulose lacquer in 1968. This lightweight Tele got through the shop before this change, making it far more desirable amongst players and collectors than later, poly finished guitars.
The guitar weighs in at just a hair under 7 pounds, 4 ounces - just about perfect!
One change that keeps the guitar from being 100% original - someone added a second string tree. I left it on the guitar despite the fact that it doesn't look correct - it is not a vintage part but it has been there for years. The other small change is that the neck pickup has been taken out of the guitar, then returned. This was done at the solders on the pickup, not in the control cavity. It appears that there was an issue where the lead wires connect to the eyelets where the leads solder to the bottom plate of the pickup, which has been rectified.
It was clear to us when the guitar arrived that it hadn't been played much. The frets looked nearly new. There were a few high frets, however. Tim is my employee who does all our fretwork. He strategically and lightly leveled the offending frets and crowned them, finishing with a perfect polish.
The neck is perfect - nice and straight - and the truss rod works as intended with room for future adjustment.
Not a solder is touched in the control cavity. The pickups in Teles of this period are not heavily potted, as is the case with this guitar. The pickups are somewhat microphonic, as is the case with every Tele I get from this era. There is an openness to the pickups from this era, a side effect of the way they potted the pickups, and it is quite good!
There is a small area on the bottom edge of the guitar that must have succumbed to a drop. There are a couple decent size dings there. There is other wear here and there, see the pictures for details.
The case is original, rounding out this killer Telecaster.
Shipping policy:
Three day UPS air shipments will be automatic for buyers including these states and those to the east of them: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
Color: Blonde
Weight: 7lbs 3.9ozs
Body: Ash
Body Date/Code: 883
Neck: Maple
Neck Date/Code: 3AUG68 B
Fretboard: Maple
Inlays: Black dots
Frets: Original with a fresh crown and polish
Fret count: 21
Nut: Original
Nut width: 1 5/8"
Scale: 25.5"
Radius: 7.25"
Neck thickness at 1st fret: 0.846"
Neck thickness at 12th fret: 0.935"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 1.25mm
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 1.75mm
Total length: 38 7/16"
Lower bout: 12 3/4"
Waist: 9"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness: 1 3/4"
String gauge: .10-.046"
Hardware Color: Chrome
Bridge Pickup Brand: Original Fender
Bridge Pickup Reading: 5.95k
Pickup Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup Brand: Original Fender - has been out and back in the guitar
Neck Pickup Reading: 6.85k
Pickup Original?: Yes
Bridge: Original
Tuners: Original
Switch: Original
Pots/Codes: Original 304-661
Case: OHSC
Notes:
Mahar's Vintage Guitars
Buyer to pay prior to shipment via Paypal, wire transfer, credit card or other electronic means. Payment must clear before shipping. Certified checks and trades are accepted, however checks must clear before we will ship and trades must be received here and evaluated prior to shipment of our item.
All orders ship within three business days of the receipt of an order, usually faster. Tracking information will be automatically forwarded to all buyers. Buyers must retain all shipping materials in the event a return is necessary.
Returns accepted if the purchaser responds within 48 hours of receipt of an item and there is a discrepancy relating to the condition or originality of an item. Returns are not accepted for items that do not meet the needs or sonic tastes of clients due to the subjective nature, unless such concern is stated prior to the purchase. Any return for reasons other than incorrect advertising of condition or originality on the part of Mahar's Vintage Guitars shall be the responsibility of the buyer, which shall result in the buyer paying all shipping costs (to and from) their location.