Unlock the Legend: Your Opportunity to Own a Rare Fender Japan EXTRAD TLS-52-120 Telecaster

This is not just any Fender Telecaster; you are looking at a 1988 Fender Japan Custom Shop TLS-52-120 Telecaster, a truly exceptional instrument from a period when Japanese guitar craftsmanship reached its absolute zenith. Produced for a discerning domestic market, these guitars are now highly coveted worldwide by collectors and players alike, often referred to as the "Holy Grail" of Made-in-Japan Fenders.

This particular guitar is an exceptional version. The top-of-the line TL52-120 was known for it's hand-selected flamed maple necks this item is exceptional. The flames leap put and set the neck on fire!

There are three spaces between three of the lower frets are missing some of the nitro coating, my mistake taking off some masking tape too quickly. Other than that. the guitar is in exceptional shape throughout.

Here's why this guitar stands apart:

• The Pinnacle of Japanese Craftsmanship: Fender Japan's "Custom Shop"

    ◦ Your guitar is from the "ExTrad" series, short for "Extra Traditional," which was the absolute zenith of Japanese craftsmanship for Fender between 1986 and 1994.

    ◦ The ExTrad series was produced by a small, elite "Custom Edition Team" within the Fujigen Gakki factory, acting as Japan's own de facto Fender Custom Shop. This team was formed a year before Fender USA established its own Custom Shop.

    ◦ The driving force behind this team was Makoto "Nick" Sugimoto, a master luthier with over two decades of experience, whose formidable resume included building the very first sample instrument Fujigen sent to Fender USA to prove their manufacturing prowess. The "S" stamp often found in the neck pocket, as seen on your guitar, is rumored to signify Sugimoto's personal involvement in the body's crafting.

• Unrivaled Quality and Vintage Accuracy

    ◦ ExTrad instruments were built with a "no-compromise" philosophy, aiming to create guitars that rivaled, and in some cases surpassed, their American counterparts.

    ◦ Premium Tonewoods and All-Nitrocellulose Finish: Unlike most standard Fender Japan models of the era that used basswood or polyester finishes, your TLS-52-120 features lightweight ash for its body. Crucially, it boasts a full nitrocellulose lacquer finish on both the body and neck, applied without the thick polyurethane undercoat common on most production guitars. This thin finish allows the wood to resonate more freely, contributing to a lively, complex tone and ages gracefully with desirable checking and patina over time.

    ◦ Authentic USA Electronics and Hardware: To ensure genuine Fender tone, ExTrad series guitars were exclusively equipped with American-made electronics, including Fender's own USA Vintage Style pickups. Your guitar maintains its original electronics, and pickups, its capacitor was upgraded to a 0.22uf Sprague Orange Drop, which is a high-quality, and newer CTS potentiometers, which are period-correct component identical to those used in high-end American Fenders. All hardware is also top-tier, vintage-style.

    ◦ Meticulous Craftsmanship: These guitars received individual attention from Fujigen's most skilled craftsmen, with a deep, scholarly approach to replicating original vintage Fender designs.

• Rarity, Collectibility, and Increasing Value

    ◦ The ExTrad series was produced in extremely limited numbers over a short period (1986-1994). This 1988 model is from the early phase, which did not feature the "ExTrad" headstock decal, making them even rarer and more difficult to identify externally without knowledge of their internal markings.

    ◦ These instruments were never officially exported by Fender and were intended solely for the Japanese domestic market. This makes them exceptionally scarce in other markets like Thailand, significantly driving up their desirability and value.

    ◦ ExTrads are considered "blue-chip collectibles" and have seen a steady and significant increase in market value globally. While a standard Fender Japan guitar might be more affordable, genuine ExTrads typically command prices in the 2,500 to 5,000+ USD range, with exceptional examples reaching even higher. Their investment potential is strong due to their limited supply and growing international recognition.

• Your Specific Guitar's Condition

    ◦ This guitar is described as playing great, with light wear on the neck, excellent frets, and minor age marks on the body. It exhibits light natural relicing and is professionally set up, playing like a dream.

This 1988 Fender Japan Custom Shop TLS-52-120 offers the quintessential 1952 Telecaster experience, blending authentic vintage specifications with the unparalleled precision and quality of Japanese master luthiers. It represents a unique moment in Fender's history and is a rare opportunity to own a world-class instrument that collectors globally are actively seeking.