While this may look like a pretty ordinary Fender Telecaster, albeit quite a nice vintage example with a naturally aged faded blonde finish, I'm sure by now you'll know that certain vintage Fender guitars can command some quite staggering prices. Indeed, all is not as it first seems, for if you remove the pickguard on this Tele, it's revealed to be a rare example of a "Smuggler's" Tele, so named because of the cavities in the body below the pickguard, in which - I'm sure you could imagine - it would conceivably be possible to hide contraband. These cavities were intended to reduce weight in the guitar body; personally I've never found Teles particularly heavy and maybe the consensus of opinion was that the production of a slightly lighter than usual Telecaster didn't really warrant the extra machining on the body and so these "Smuggler's" were only produced briefly in 1967.
G L Wilson
© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!
With the pickguard removed, you get an idea as to the original finish color. At any price, the bridge looks in dire need of replacement. Would you be able to get it in a playable state? Oh absolutely. Would you be confident enough in it to perform in front of a paying audience?
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt that. Over priced by 50% IMHO. Easy. The weight removed could be measured in ounces and the way it was machined, likely wouldn't affect/improve tone at all?
That is enterprise associated knowledge gaining article. This put up is truly the first-class on this valuable subject matter. buy virtual number
ReplyDelete