Fender American Vintage Series '52 Telecaster Electric Guitar  

I'm giving it the highest rating even though it is a primitive guitar.  Fender includes an alternate bridge and modern wiring kit.  And by the way, I like primitive guitars.

No perfect rating here because my pickguard would not lie flat.  Not enough screws or QC?

This is a chunk of change, but it is a special guitar.  I can't forsee losing too much money if you keep it for any length of time.

I sent it back, and bought a 60th Anniversary Tele (blackguard blonde).  If I could only have a child of the two!  I guess that's where the custom shop comes in.  I love the chunky neck and 21 frets and ashtray bridge and brass saddles on the '52.  But I prefer the fatter frets and flatter neck radius and pickups and switching and pickguard on the Anniversary.  I think the decision hinged on my reluctance to take a soldering iron to a beautiful instrument.  They are both excellent guitars.  I had a CV Squier Tele for a while that actually came close to what I was looking for, but the quality was just not there.  I also have a Highway One which I like.  Maybe I need one of each...

Solid working man's neck, with a nice polished look.  Vintage pickups for neck and bridge.  Three saddle bridge.  Original tweed case.  Just classic.

The only thing I would say, is that they should make the "Modern Wiring" standard from the factory, and give you the parts for the Vintage wiring, instead of the other way round.  This gives you more tone variation, and added versatility for the working guitarist.  They do give you the parts to make the switch, but soldering is a pain.

Everything sounded and worked great.  The only thing is that Bridge Cover Plate "Ashtray" did not fit/stay on the bridge.  I would put it on, and it was just loose, and would fall off.  I can't imagine ever playing with it on though, but it looks nice in the case like that.  Else would have given it a 10.

I give it an 8, only because I think you can get the same tone and style with the standard tele.  You pay more for the cosmetics, 3 saddle bridge, 5 screw pick guard, vintage paint job, and tweed case, which to me were important, so it was worth the extra $$.

A 9 because I wish it would have been wired to modern pick up selection out the box, so I wouldn't have burned the heck out of my finger desoldering the selector switch...but I digress.

The hum single coils generate will drive a man crazy.  When I'm not playing music, I spend my time trying to reduce the hum, and still maintain the ineffable single coil tone.  Hum never sleeps, and it has become my white whale.  But it comes with the Tele/strat territory if you truly want the real deal sound.  Just roll the tone down a bit, and slide the volume between songs, and you'll be alright.

Other than that, fantastic piece of equipment.  It is my main guitar, and stays in tune through the whole set.  Through my Fender Twin, it is the true iconic sound of the electric guitar.  Everyone compliments my tone.

If all you want is the tone, and vibe, save some money and go with the standard.  But if you gotta have the 3 saddle bridge, light painted butterscotch blonde paint, and the sweet sweet tweed case.  Go for it.

I got this guitar for my birthday and this is actually my favorite guitar in my collection!

Very rich sound and awesome looking!

Every guitarist should have this guitar in there collection!

Awesome!!!!

get one you will     love it... i sure do.......................

best tele ever imho !!!!!!!!!

fine guitar in every way    

big money .but it is very much worth it