Brand: Fender
Instrument Categories: Electric, Guitars, REDUCED, SOLD, Solidbody
Here is a rare piece – a Fender Telecaster Custom with an original Wide Range Humbucker, a model produced from 1972 to 1981. Fender’s goal was to provide a guitar with a humbucker to compete with Gibson, and added a humbucker in the neck position, three way toggle switch, and individual volume and tone controls. This model was used by a number of prominent guitarists, including Keith Richards and The Edge. When it appeared in 1972, the Telecaster Custom.
A key factor in the rarity of this model is that the Wide Range Humbucker, designed for Fender by Seth Lover, used CuNiFe magnets (made of Copper, Nickel and Iron), shaped into the adjustable polepieces. CuNiFe was hard to work in this manner, making the pickups expensive; as well, CuNiFe manufacture basically ended, prohibiting further production in the original design. Still, it is often regarded as one of the best-sounding pickups available.
This Fender Telecaster Custom is in overall good condition, with expected wear to the finish. It has a few chips and dents primarily on the sides. Fret wear is light to moderate. A few parts have been replaced – the Volume and Tone knobs are Stratocaster style, while these guitars originally used the ‘Witch Hat’ knobs found on many Fender amps. The bridge is a six-saddle type, and may be a replacement, though Fender has sometimes mounted the three-saddle bridge and supplied a six-saddle bridge in the case. The strap pins are likely Gibson units.
The guitar plays well overall, and could readily be set up to a player’s preferences.
A Fender-branded molded hard shell case is included, likely not the original.
- Model: Telecaster Custom
- Year: 1978
- Finish Gloss Black and Natural
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: S813476, built during 1978 in Fullerton, CA
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 30/09/2021
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 9.35lbs 4.25kg
- Scale Length: 25.5in 647.7mm
- Nut Width: 1.637in 41.60mm
