WTT: 1972 Fender Thinline Telecaster for acoustic NOW SOLD

surfguy13

Hi Guys

Looking for an acoustic at the moment and thought I'd see if anyone was interested in trading or possibly p/ex'ing an acoustic for this old thinline tele.  Might consider a straight sale too.  In terms of value it's not an easy one as there doesn't seem to be that many of these '72s around, however people do seem to be asking crazy money and way more than they are worth. I think I'd be happy to do a straight sale for £2500 and if I was trading it or taking a p/ex then maybe a slightly higher value.   

I have no hard and fast requirements where an acoustic is concerned.  Would consider 12 fret guitars but I'm leaning more towards a 14 fret as I've just sold a 12 fret!  Happy with rosewood or mahogany back and sides with a spruce or mahogany top.  Not interested in cedar tops.  Definitely want solid woods all round. Electrics would be a bonus but preferably not with a big graphic on the top side.

The thinline is a great guitar and comes with a 70s Fender case but not the original.  For me the wide range pickups beat any other humbucker I've ever used for versatility and sweetness; totally unique sound.  The ash body/neck helps accentuates the trebles and reduce any muddyness from the bottom end.

OK, I had the guitar refretted by Richard Bartram a few years ago (at considerable expense!!) and he also installed a new bone nut at the same time.  I asked him to use the same fret wire that the guitar originally had.  The guitar plays and feels really nice.

Other than the refret and the case the guitar is original.  The guitar did have a coil tap fitted back in the 70s and the lovely Steve at Manchester Guitar Tech removed the mini switch, filled the small hole in the scratchplate and returned the wiring back to stock.  He did a superb job as always.  The previous owner fitted a new jack socket and told me this was because he wanted a longer shaft so he could use a right angled jack.  I have the original Switchcraft switch which looks 100% but have never bothered to refit it (photos of original switch).

The case unusually has 4 clasps which I believe suggests it was a Canadian import although I have no idea why!  The handle is finbe and totally solid but behind two of the rivets the plastic has cracked a little.  As the lining can be lifted away from the plastic outer it would be a doddle to do an invisible repair with fibreglass but it doesn't need doing.  You can sort of see this in the close up photo of the handle.  The clasps all work fine and the hinges are perfect.

These pearloid scratchplates tend to look like the north sea in a force 9 gale after 45 years with major cracks, bits breaking off around the screws and major bucking.  This one has fared pretty well and there is only one tiny crack around one screw.  I have taken photos of the scratchplate from all angles so you can see how it sits.

The pots both date to 1972 (see photos) with the code on one being on the top and on the side of the other.  The neck stamp also dates to 1972.  The neck pickup has a 3 digit code (422) also dating it to 1972.  The bridge pickup has no date stamp which is quite common but it is clearly the original pickup.  The serial number is 369709 and dates it to 1972.  This from the Guitar Dater Project:
Your guitar was made at the
Fullerton Plant (Fender - CBS Era), USA
in 1972
Production Number: 369709
 
Can't think of anything else and apologies for the photos, it was really difficult to get anything decent because the sun was reflecting off the finish.  The guitar is in remarkable condition for its age and the finish is original.  It's marked 'Natural' inisde the pickup cavity so this confirms it hasn't been stripped and refinished.  There is a tiny area of wear to the lacquer on the back where you lean into the guitar which is shown in the photos.

I have just started using Imgur so hopefully the images work OK.  I'll upload a few to this post and then you can find loads of detailed photos in the album here: http://imgur.com/a/Z4qdU

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chris78

That's a special guitar. I love wrhb. Fender hasn't been able to recreate them without cunife magnets.
Im sure people will want to know trade value/ sale price 

surfguy13

Thanks Chris, it didn't occur to me to put a value in but thinking about it you're right, I do need to give some indictaion of value!! 

merlin

I want this guitar deeply. Fancy this? Kay from the 40s, retro fitted with a D'armond gold foil...

surfguy13

Really appreciate the offer @merlin but I really want an acoustic not a semi.  Mind you it looks if I was in the market for one I'd defintely be interested.

merlin

It is an acoustic archtop and fully hollow body. The pickup isn't actually necessary as it has an amazingly powerful sound...just an added extra. 

surfguy13

merlin said:

It is an acoustic archtop and fully hollow body. The pickup isn't actually necessary as it has an amazingly powerful sound...just an added extra. 

I'm sure it sounds amazing and these old jazzers can be incredibly loud but just quite I'm looking for.

merlin

If you change your mind...! 

JezWynd

That's stunning. I got the Squier version recently and while it's a very nice instrument this one looks like a big step up. And with genuine WRHBs too!

surfguy13

merlin said:

If you change your mind...! 

I will genuinely think about it as it really does look like a lovely old guitar and thanks again for the offer.

surfguy13

JezWynd said:

That's stunning. I got the Squier version recently and while it's a very nice instrument this one looks like a big step up. And with genuine WRHBs too!

Someone I know has the mex version and it's a really nice guitar, plays really well and sounds really nice.  It's really thew wide range pickups that set the old ones aside from the newer ones.  It appears to be all about the CuNiFe magnets in the pickups and that's where my '72 and my mate's reissue are totally different.  The reissue sounds really good but can get a bit flabby at the bottom end and a bit shrill at the other end.  The WRHBs are almost the opposite.  Difficult to describe them, you really have to play the guitar to understand, but they blew me away when I first tried the guitar and they still do.

DrCornelius

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

surfguy13

DrCornelius said:

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

Wish you hadn't said that as I've just put a new set on strings on and have been playing it for the last couple of hours........is this something I'm gonna regret?!!!! 

DrCornelius

surfguy13 said:

DrCornelius said:

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

Wish you hadn't said that as I've just put a new set on strings on and have been playing it for the last couple of hours........is this something I'm gonna regret?!!!! 

I've had 62 strats , vintage Les Paul's - the lot. The 72 can do everything , you will definitely regret it !

Ive not got the funds or guitar trades right now to get one back but if your Mrs (or you !) want a partial trade for a funky Nissan Figaro then im your man :-)

richardhomer

Very much @Gassage's kind of thing....

Bridgehouse

DrCornelius said:

surfguy13 said:

DrCornelius said:

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

Wish you hadn't said that as I've just put a new set on strings on and have been playing it for the last couple of hours........is this something I'm gonna regret?!!!! 

I've had 62 strats , vintage Les Paul's - the lot. The 72 can do everything , you will definitely regret it !

Ive not got the funds or guitar trades right now to get one back but if your Mrs (or you !) want a partial trade for a funky Nissan Figaro then im your man :-)

You've had 62 strats?? And you haven't found one you like yet??

DrCornelius

Bridgehouse said:

DrCornelius said:

surfguy13 said:

DrCornelius said:

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

Wish you hadn't said that as I've just put a new set on strings on and have been playing it for the last couple of hours........is this something I'm gonna regret?!!!! 

I've had 62 strats , vintage Les Paul's - the lot. The 72 can do everything , you will definitely regret it !

Ive not got the funds or guitar trades right now to get one back but if your Mrs (or you !) want a partial trade for a funky Nissan Figaro then im your man :-)

You've had 62 strats?? And you haven't found one you like yet??

i think I must be a Tele man at heart, I've had 72 of those :-)

Bridgehouse

DrCornelius said:

Bridgehouse said:

DrCornelius said:

surfguy13 said:

DrCornelius said:

I sold my original 72 on here last year and would buy it back tomorrow if I had the funds. By far the best guitar I've ever had and I've had more more than a few !

Wish you hadn't said that as I've just put a new set on strings on and have been playing it for the last couple of hours........is this something I'm gonna regret?!!!! 

I've had 62 strats , vintage Les Paul's - the lot. The 72 can do everything , you will definitely regret it !

Ive not got the funds or guitar trades right now to get one back but if your Mrs (or you !) want a partial trade for a funky Nissan Figaro then im your man :-)

You've had 62 strats?? And you haven't found one you like yet??

i think I must be a Tele man at heart, I've had 72 of those :-)

And it's taken you 72 to realise they are just a plank of wood with a couple of pickups in?

DrCornelius

Get a moderator quick - someone has stolen Bridgehouses log in details !

Bridgehouse

DrCornelius said:

Get a moderator quick - someone has stolen Bridgehouses log in details !

Precision basses are rubbish and my favourite guitars are pointy Charvels

Gassage

Great guitar, great price. I might know someone who wants one- leave with.