1995–1996 Fender Japan '72 Telecaster Custom (TC72) in Natural (NAT) finish. An uncommon finish for the TC72—only listed as an option once, in the 1996 Twang catalog. These are incredibly rare to find with a center seam two-piece body. It is possible this was a limited Miki Gakki shop order, as a TC72-78/NAT was advertised in the January 1996 issue of Guitar Magazine.

I've been looking for one of these for quite some time, but have decided to move it along as I'm partial to a slim oval "C" neck (compared to the medium/full "U" profile on this guitar).

Only ~3 two-piece, center seam TC72s in NAT have popped up over the last decade, amongst the 1,500+ total sold.

Manufactured at the FujiGen factory in Japan; "N" serial prefix.

100% fully functional.

Condition
Cosmetically the 30+ year old instrument is in good shape, with various minor dings, chips, scratches, and finish wear commensurate with age. Minor finish wear on treble side of neck pocket. Chrome hardware has patina. Pickguard has pick markings from play, and some scratching around knobs. Three knobs missing top labels.

Frets  1-3 primarily have wear beneath unwound strings, lessening as it progresses to the 12th fret. The worst divot is at the “G” string “A” (2nd fret). Currently there is no fretting out/excessive buzzing with normal action. While the Telecaster plays fine as-is, a level or refret (depending on personal preference) will be required for optimal playability.

Back of neck has various minor dings. Minor wear along neck shoulders from play. Dings/finish chips at tip of headstock.

Modifications

- Bridge volume pot replaced; tone pot upgraded to passive TBX-style control

Specs
- Sen (Japanese ash) body (two piece center seam)
- Maple neck (one piece)
- 25.5” scale
- 7.25" radius and slender vintage frets

- Medium "U" neck profile
- Nut measures 1.672”
(42.5mm)
- Depth measures .868” at the first fret, and .969” at the twelfth

- 8.62lbs

Setup with D'Addario 10-46 strings, playing well up and down the neck with proper intonation (considering aforementioned fret wear).

Includes generic vintage Japanese gig bag.

Ships professionally packed and fully insured with signature confirmation.

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