#5648 – Fender 1970 Tele – blonde

For any prospective customer, the issue with buying any used guitar, that is now around 50 years old, is how clean is it – How original is it – What are the negative issues that come with such a guitar – Nothing wrong with a players grade ‘vintage guitar’ providing the price reflects such work and changes – But it is nice to come across a clean, all original guitar, that has no negative issues – And that last sentence effectively sums up this Fender 1970 Tele  – As we moved from the 60’s in to the 70’s, the Strat almost underwent a total rebuild and design, including a 3 bolt neck, plus a new trem assembly inc saddles – Conversely the Tele retained its spec and features as we moved into the new decade – Other than a change to the finish process, a 1967/68 Tele is effectively the same guitar as a 1970 Tele – Yet a 1967/68/69 model still carries that additional desirability factor, but equally that reflects in your credit card requiring a far higher spending limit – By the time we moved through to the mid 70’s and further beyond to the end of the 70’s, then yes the whole build process, coupled with other factors, resulted in a general decline in acceptability and desirability – The bottom line is a 1970 still retains vintage features and desirability – Especially when you come across a good clean example

In no particular order, let me update you with all my various notes and evaluation :-

• All original, with no repairs, changes, modifications
• Includes the correct black vinyl covered case, with the orange/red interior and the black leather stitched ends – Note the amp logo on the case – some damage to the F and r – Note no ‘tail’ on this logo
• Still includes a correct factory bridge cover/ash tray – Not that anyone appears to use them
• Whole guitar weighs 7lbs and 13oz so still very credible and acceptable
• Single string tree F stamp tuners
• One piece maple neck/fingerboard – Hence the 50’s style skunk stripe that was re-introduced around 1969 – Medium/chunky C profile that measures .879″ around the top nut end and .994″ around the 12th fret – I had to check my readings twice as it does not feel as chunky as the measurements suggest – So comfortable depth to it
• Neck stamp info shows 3 22 017B – that translates to 3 Tele neck with 0 suggesting a 1970 date – B indicates regular 1 5/8″ nut width   285***  serial number on neck plate
• 8 hole 3 ply scratchplate – off white top but with the ‘pearl’ bottom ply which is a feature of models from this era
• Original switch and wiring loom – Can read one pot and that indicates 137 66 – ie a CTS 1966 pot date – Common for all/most Fender Guitars from 66-67 onwards to have these 137 66 pot dates as Fender brought them in bulk and they lasted them well into the early 70’s
• Treble bleed capacitor on the volume pot
• PVC covered pick up ‘fly’ leads
• Copper base plate on the bridge pick-up
• White/cream cloth wrap on the bridge pick-up
• Flat top, knurled control knobs
• Top hat switch tip
• Steel bridge saddles with appropriate ‘string grooves’
• Re-strung + set-up with 9.4-44 gauge strings – I tend to re-string + set-up most guitars with 10-46 gauge strings, which is fine with modern guitars with a set of chunky frets, coupled with a 9.5″ fingerboard radius – Often with vintage frets and a 7.25″ fingerboard radius I might use 9-42 gauge strings – This time I decided to pitch in with a half way house – Bottom line is it still feels slinky without feeling skinny
• Condition :- Frets are vintage and original and barely show any hint of wear – The blonde white finish has mellowed to reveal that off white/custard yellow vibe – Plenty of fade and character but the gloss finish shows very little in the way of imperfections – For a 50 odd year old guitar it is very clean – Any slight graze or scuff is only to the top surface of the finish
• My initial thoughts was that it was an olympic white finish as you can not see any wood grain of the body, so I suspected a solid finish – Yet when you get it in a very good light you can just about make out it is a translucent finish, hence just about see the grain of the body – So blonde it is
• Over all a good example and you’ll have to hunt various sites for a good while to find a superior example, when you take in all the factors – age, condition, originality inc case, playability and tonal character

EXPRESS MAIL ORDER - click here for card payment & additional delivery info

For additional product info, to arrange a showroom visit + viewing, or indeed any other questions, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Call: 01335 345777 or email: mark@guitars4you.co.uk. Please note that showrooms visits are strictly by appointment only.

Please read below

Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 40 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.