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Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Neck is chunky...I was hesitant around it because I don't have large hands...I'm 5ft 8, relatively average to slender build and fingers are slightly longer than average, otherwise I'm very much in proportion to my size. But the neck profile with the 7.25 radius works well. Neck feels like a good handful but comfortable. Whole step bends are fine and will ring out sufficiently with a reasonable action. You won't get an action as low as a 12in radius, but nor will you be thinking it's set up for slide.
The rolled edges on the fretboard are really nice, gives it a worn in feel. Apparently some attempts though does mean either E string can fall off if they took it a bit extreme. Make sure you test some runs along both and that your vibrato is comfy on them.
If you so much as look at the finish wrong it will chip off. It's really thin. Same goes for the scratchplate etc...those screws are period correct, so I've had the unfortunate slip with a blade screwdriver and scratched the bakelite. They do also warp a little with humidity. Part of the charm, I have a spare scratchplate for if it's ever needed. I'm enjoying the finish having sunk into the wood and cracking nicely.
The pickups aren't particularly twangy. Picking closer to the bridge, with decent attack you'll get some response - but they won't twang like a 60s model and steel bridge will. You can however get a nice crunch and bark from them. Led Zeppelin one tones are definitely home territory. I've never measured the pickups, but just from ear they're higher output than most vintage ones. I'm still fiddling here to find my best tone!
All in all, I'm really happy with mine. Must admit, I do sometimes toy with picking up a different Tele (the 50s Esquire custom is very tempting for being a 7.25 to 9.5 compound radius and 10/56v etc) but then I also remind myself it'd be a good chunk of change for likely small improvements. Prior to having this, I had a MIM FSR ash tele (the model with the reverse control panel) which was a decent guitar, but this is just heads and shoulders above.
So long as you're happy on the chunky neck and it's the era of tele you like there's a good chance you'll be really happy with a 52 AV. The entire AV line 2012-2017 was so good I actually wonder if they killed it to stop stealing lunch from their custom shop ranges.
I had a 2015 for a few years and liked it. As above, great shape neck, the 7.25 radius and frets work well on this guitar, feels very vintage.
A lump of finish flaked off mine from the bottom edge, it wasn't bashed or clonked I just noticed that it had gone one day, although it's reported as nitro it didn't feel like it would wear through like an old guitar but didn't;t feel like plasticy poly either.
I loved the neck pickup, really nice sounding and as above, the bridge pickup is more barky and dry and not twangy, great with overdrive.
My band, Red For Dissent
I sold my 2015 for £800 or £850 I think, so there or thereabouts
My band, Red For Dissent
Yeah the finish is a bit strange. IIRC they're nitro with no undercoat. Previous years I believe they've used a Poly undercoat and Nitro on top. I would probably agree that wearing through isn't too likely. It'd probably chip first.
Although it may just take time...there's definitely some cracking to the finish on mine, although it follows stress points e.g. screws and the finish has definitely sunk into the wood. It might genuinely take age and use to get it to look like an older and used guitar.
I felt compelled to change the pickups. After some chopping and changing, it has a Seymour Duncan Custom Shop ‘53 Tapped Tele Lead and a Fender Nocaster neck/Rhythm pickup with the all-important AlNi3 magnets.
I've not found sticky neck to be a particular issue. Store it out the case, wipe after use if sticky and eventually it cures.