Fender FSR Made in Japan Traditional II 70s Telecaster Thinline Mahogany

Description

Fender FSR Made in Japan Traditional II 70s Telecaster Thinline Mahogany

Why we love it

A mahogany bodied homage to the 1970s Telecaster Thinline and also very close to the popular Fender Japan TN72 MAHO, but in a brand new, superbly crafted, limited production package. This one was handpicked for its beautiful grain and balance. Judging from the looks it’s been getting around the shop, it may not last long.

Condition

This guitar is in Mint (as new) condition. It was purchased brand new and shows no signs of use. There is no fretwear. The truss rod has been tested and functions properly. The electronics all function as new.  The original Fender gig bag, warranty card and wrench are included. This Telecaster weighs a svelte 7 pounds. Setup has been dialed in upon arrival, with medium action, optimally adjusted relief, and proper intonation up and down the neck. The original nickel-plated steel .009-.042 strings are installed.

Overview

This guitar is part of a 2024 Fender Factory Special Run for one Japanese music retailer with a very limited number made available. All basic specifications of this guitar are the same as the 1970s Telecaster Thinline with the primary difference being mahogany is used for the semi-acoustic body instead of ash. Like any guitar highlighting the natural grain of the wood, no two are exactly alike. This specific instrument was selected for its particularly beautiful mahogany grain as well as low 6.92-pound weight and great balance.

Use of mahogany for the body results in a warmer overall tone, with a rich, complex, and more forward sounding midrange. The semi-hollow body with striking f-hole adds to both form and function of the instrument, providing both weight reduction and adding an open and airy quality to the tone. The 3-ply white pearloid pickguard is a fantastic complement to the mahogany, lending this instrument an air of classic beauty that will only improve with age.

The impeccably crafted 25.5-inch scale U-profile maple neck feels solid in hand with added shoulder as compared to a C-profile neck, but thanks to the 1.615-inch nut width does not feel overly thick or clunky. Fender Vintage “F” tuners sit atop the traditionally shaped Telecaster headstock adorned in Telecaster Thinline decals and featuring a head-side bullet type truss rod. The neck is finished in a beautifully applied gloss urethane finish and has 21 expertly finished vintage size frets and real bone nut. The maple-on-maple neck helps add attack, snap, and brightness to the warmth and complexity of the mahogany body. A 6-saddle string-through-body hardtail bridge is used and provides plenty of adjustability to dial in string height and intonation.

Electronics and Tone

The Fender Wide Range Humbuckers used in this guitar mesh very well with the rest of the build, with thick and tonally complex output that still has plenty of detail and jangle while also letting the character of the tonewoods shine through. Detailed and expressive, these pickups sound amazing for both clean and overdriven tones with excellent note definition whether playing chords or lead runs.

Specifications

Body: Mahogany

Body Finish: Gloss Polyester

Neck: Maple

Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane

Scale: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)

Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 in / 241R

Fingerboard: Maple

Position Inlays: Black Dot

Frets: 21, Vintage

Nut: Bone

Width at Nut: 1.615″ (41.02 mm)

Tuning Machines: Fender Vintage “F”

Bridge: 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail

Pickguard: 3-Ply White Pearloid

Pickups: Fender Vintage-Style Single Coil Strat

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-way pickup selector

Control Knobs: Chrome

Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome

Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag

Year of manufacture: 2024

Country of manufacture: Japan

Weight: 6.92 lbs / 3.14 kg