1978 Fender Telecaster Custom with tags + OHSC

Originally introduced in 1972 as an all new variation of the long established Telecaster, the Telecaster Custom (not to be confused with the previous bound body Custom Telecaster) was Fender’s answer to the trend of players replacing the old single coil neck pick up in Teles with a humbucker pick up.

Fender employed Seth Lover, the designer of the original Gibson PAF humbucker, to come up with a new design that had the fatter tone of a Gibson humbucker but with the top end brightness usually associated with the Fender sound…and so the Fender Wide Range humbucker pick up was born.

The Telecaster Custom would utilise the new Wide Range humbucker in the neck position alongside the traditional, much loved single coil Telecaster pick up in the bridge position. Other changes would see the control layout redesigned to more closely resemble the layout of a Les Paul with separate volume and tone controls for each pick up and a selector switch located on the upper bout.

These changes certainly made for greater versatility and soon the new Telecaster was winning favour with players of all kinds. The most famous early adopter being Keith Richards who has been using his black 1975 Tele Custom extensively ever since. In recent times the model has enjoyed a resurgence particularly with indie/alternative players.

Anyway enough of the history lesson, on to this one in question. Here is a very clean 1978 Tele Custom in the most desirable colour, black. This one has a rosewood board and a very playable medium C profile neck. The frets show minimal signs of wear. There are no dings as such and just some very light surface scratches which can only be seen very closely and which are virtually impossible to photograph. There are a few faint patches on the sides of the guitar which have dulled slightly where it has rubbed against the inside of the case and there is a more noticeable patch on the heel where the finish has dulled more – see pictures. Other than this the guitar is exceptionally clean.

At some point the nut has been replaced with a newer bone nut and the braided cable which runs from the selector switch to the output jack has been replaced – the original cable is in the case. Also one of the string ferrules has been replaced with a newer part. Apart from these minor changes the guitar is all original.

The combination of the Wide Range Humbucker in the neck position and the classic Tele single coil in the bridge is a perfect marriage which delivers great useable tone in the bridge, middle and neck positions. Combined with the separate volume and tone controls for each pick up this guitar is extremely versatile. It’s easy to see why these original 70’s Tele Customs have become so well regarded in recent years. Arguably this is the best model Fender produced in the 70’s and was destined to become a classic. The fact they also look so cool is an added bonus.

Comes with the original Fender moulded hard shell case, ‘ashtray’ bridge cover and the original hang tags and warrantee card.

Weight: 8lb 5oz

Pick up readings: Neck 10.2k, Bridge 6.2k