Fender 40th Anniversary Custom Shop Telecaster. 1988 Sunburst. #13 of the first 300 ever built RARE

FENDER

40TH Anniversary Telecaster

1988

Made in August 1988

Number 13

FENDER USA CUSTOM SHOP.

Rarest of the custom shop builds.

This is where it all began.

The FENDER USA CUSTOM SHOP program.

EXCELLENT CONDITION.

This 40th Anniversary Telecaster limited run in 1988 was the first Fender’s Master Builders did. Only 300 were made. Those 300 consisted of 100 each in Blonde, Red, and the historic Sunburst.

 

Keith Urban famously played his 40th Anniversary Sunburst (#188) on many tours and appearances.

 This one is number 13 of those 300 and one of the 100 Sunburst pieces (the most popular and collectible of this first run). It was built in August, 1988.

Look at all the signatures in the pocket of this guitar. Remarkable. This is historic. Imagine the excitement going on in this new “Fender Master Shop”. These guys were the best builders Fender had to offer. And this guitar was the 13th guitar they built together after “The Custom Shop” opened. All Fender collectors recognize the significance of this first group of guitars coming from these builders in 1988. It was the start of “Fender Redux”.

History of this guitar.

This guitar was purchased new in 1988 by Ira Thomley, a member of the gospel family band, “The Thomley Family”, who played in churches through the south. Bit Ira did not play this guitar on tour or outside of his home. It was a special guitar that he hoarded and guarded and kept in its case all the time. Ira died a few months ago leaving his special guitar in pretty much the same condition as when he first bought it new 31 years ago.

Details of this guitar.

Model Name: 40th Anniversary Telecaster

Model Number: 012-0850-000

Series: Limited Edition Anniversary Series

Body: Lightweight Louisiana Ash with Highly Figured Bookmatched Maple Top

Neck: One Piece Highly Figured Maple

Fingerboard: Maple (9.5" Radius)

No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo

Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)

Width @ Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)

Hardware: Gold

Machine Heads: Gold Fender Schaller

Bridge: Gold American Standard Tele

Saddles: American Series 6 powder-coated steel bridge saddle sections

Pickguard: Grained Ivoroid Pickguard

Pickups: 2 Vintage Tele Pickups

Pickup Switching: 3-Position Selector Switch

Controls: Master Volume, Master TBX Tone Control

Colors: Tinted Natural

Case: Original Hard Shell Case Included

 

Condition of the guitar.

You can see some very minor scratches on the bridge plate and some minor tarnishing on the neck pickup. I am grading it as “Excellent”.  The case is original but shows minor handling and storage wear.

Includes COA, original cord, original strap and 2 hex wrenches.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Easy. I guarantee it. Buy it. Get it. Try it for 3 days. If you are not completely happy with it, please return it (in same condition as received) for a full refund.

Flat shipping for all USA continental locations. Actual cost for other locations (please get a shipping quote from US prior to buying it).

 

BIG NOTICE:

Remember, if you live in one of the states listed below, REVERB will charge you sales tax. That tax is added to your purchase price when you check out. Keep that in mind when you purchase a guitar from me or anyone else on REVERB.   Do I agree with the levying of this tax by REVERB? For companies who are actively selling to consumers and hold a Reseller License? Yes. For individuals who are selling to other individuals? No. And that is how the sales tax laws are applied in each state BUT NOT ON REVERB. They are taking the easy way out by charging sales tax on every sale.

 

As of 9/05/2019, here are all states in which Reverb collects taxes from buyers on your behalf:

 

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