First introduced in 1951, the Telecaster stands as Fender's foundational solid-body electric guitar, celebrated across country, rock, and blues for its rugged simplicity and unmistakable bite. This 1966 example sits firmly in "player grade" territory, offering a phenomenal opportunity to acquire genuine mid-60s Fender tonewoods and original electronics in a stage-ready workhorse.
This guitar has been dated 1966 with the original neck (heel stamped 03 FEB 1966), the original pot codes (137 6543 / 137 6636) and period correct neck plate (serial number 179050). The guitar also features it’s original bridge and threaded saddles, along with correct volume & tone knobs. It retains it’s original pickups; grey bobbin (bridge) and black bobbin (neck) but has had a replaced switch, which has resulted in new soldering joints.
The tuners do appear to be correct for a 1966 telecaster but we would suggest that they have been reconditioned and there is evidence on the headstock of the instrument having had non-original tuners (Grovers) on it at some point in it’s life, as a result the routed holes have been enlarged.
The neck and body are correct but have both been refinished. The body (Ash, with signs of original blonde) has been refinished in an 'aged blonde’ and shows clear signs of the nitrocellulose reacting with what looks like bubble wrap on the front and back (bass side). The neck has been re-fretted, planed from the 12th fret and totally refinished (presumably done at the time of the re-fret) and as result the Fender decal is non-original. The nut and pick guard are also non-original to the guitar. There are some questions around the neck plate - although period correct, there is evidence of red paint on the edges, which suggest it may have been on another 1966 Fender.
Crucially, the tone of this Telecaster remains purely authentic mid-60s Fender. It sounds HUGE and plays fantastically up and down the neck.
Supplied with non original fender hard shell case.
As with all our vintage instruments, this guitar has been given a thorough service by the Vintage Instrument Workshop and is guaranteed for 2 years in line with our vintage instrument warranty.
