Very good condition featuring single cutaway ash body, two single coil Telecaster pickups, multi-ply white and black beveled edge pickguard, one volume control and one tone control with knurled metal knobs and three-way pickup selector switch with black top hat switch tip mounted to elongated metal electronics cavity control cover plate, Fender Telecaster ashtray bridge with three adjustable brass barrel saddles and Fender and patent number stamping, bolt on maple neck, maple fingerboard with black dot inlays starting at the third fret, bone nut, Fender Telecaster peghead with Fender block logo and Telecaster logo, two butterfly string trees, six on a side double line Kluson tuning machines, four bolt neck fastening plate with serial number and F stamp, string through body construction with six individual metal string ferrules, two metal strap buttons and 1970s Fender branded black Tolex covered hard shell case.
This 1966 Fender Telecaster is in overall very good vintage cosmetic condition showing signs of play wear throughout as well as some small dings and nicks here and there. The neck profile on this instrument is that of a medium chunky soft “C” shape and feels incredible in hand. The finish on the back of the neck has been pretty well played off leaving a silky smooth maple surface that is undeniably comfortable. This Telecaster has been professionally refretted with period correct size wire and a new bone nut has been shaped and installed (the original nut is included). This guitar plays exceptional up and down the fingerboard. The body was stripped of its original finish long ago and a clear spray sits over top of the highly figured ash. This Telecaster sounds absolutely fantastic. The original bridge pickup has been professionally rewound and the neck pickup is a Seymour Duncan (the original neck pickup is included). The bridge pickup has a woody bite that excels with a clean or dirty amp setting and is not overly bright or “ice pick” like. The neck position pickup has a really nice fat, punchy clear tone that pairs very well with the bridge pickup and the two pickups are very balanced together. The electronics in this guitar are original and the tone pot bears the code 3046618 indicating that this component was made during the 18th week of 1966. Both pots and the original switch function perfectly and smoothly. Additionally both pots have a great sweep and allow for lots of different tonal variations. This Tele is extremely lightweight at 6lb 9oz and rings very loud when played unplugged. The body is very resonant and emits quite a bit of vibration when the guitar is being played. The tuning machines installed on this Tele are a recent set of aged nickel Kluson double lines (the original tuners are included and are functional). There were no modifications made for the installation of the Klusons. The saddles are brass replacements. There is an added string tree and the tone knob is a tall knurled flat top Telecaster knob from the 70s. This fine Tele is housed in a 1970s Fender Telecaster hard shell case with a “no tail” logo. The latches all work great and the case is in overall solid condition.
This 1966 Fender Telecaster is a true workhorse vintage instrument that is a pure pleasure to play and has an unbeatable vibe that will surely help its new owner express themselves in new and creative ways. This instrument is sure to become someone’s “new” number one - just an exceptionally fine 55 year old Telecaster. A gem of a guitar shipped out safely and promptly from our little shop here in Clarksville, Tennessee, to your front door.
