1988 Fender Telecaster TLG60-80 Vintage Guitar Black w/ Gold Hardware & Case, Japan MIJ Fujigen

Up for sale, a 1988 Fender Telecaster model TLG60-80 in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with a Fender/SKB hardshell case. This early “Made in Japan” Telecaster was produced at the Fujigen factory during the golden age of Fender Japan production, and this model is uncommon even within Japan. The guitar boasts upscale cosmetics, with a gloss Black finish accented by all gold hardware. The basswood body, maple neck and thick slab rosewood fretboard yield a balanced, smooth acoustic platform, and the stock single coil pickups deliver a bevy of classic Tele tonalities; the bridge pickup has ample twang and snap, while the neck is warm and bell-like with a percussive cut. This Telecaster weighs 7lbs 10oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

The maple neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve with nicely rounded shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .815” deep at the 1st fret and .890” at the 12th. The thick slab rosewood fretboard has a 7 1/4“ radius, and the stock slender fretwire has benefitted from a level and crown in this instrument’s lifetime, only exhibiting a touch of light wear beneath the plain strings on the crowns of frets 1-6. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod, and the nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width, carved from bone for optimal clarity and sustain. The matching Black headstock features gold Gotoh tuners that turn very smoothly and hold pitch well. The “Made in Japan” text and E-prefix serial are present on the headstock face, and the neck heel retains the model stamp.

All of the electronics work as intended with full-size pots that date to June of ‘88, and all of the original gold hardware is present. There’s a light dusting of surface patina on the hardware, and the gold plating has rubbed off the tops of the flat-top knurled knobs. Cosmetic wear on the gloss Black finish includes a number of minor dings on the body as a whole, largely clustered on the lower bout on the top and back, and along the body perimeter  The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a few shallow marks along the profile length that don’t distract the palm while fretting.

An era-correct Fender/SKB molded hardshell case is included, a notable upgrade over the gigbag which would have been included with this Tele when sold new.