Fender Telecaster TL-52 Texas Special, Crafted in Japan (1997–2000) – Vintage Blonde

This is a Crafted in Japan TL-52 Texas Special from the late ’90s to early 2000s era (1997–2000), finished in classic Vintage Blonde. A proper ’52-style Tele reissue with upgraded Texas Special pickups, one of the most desirable CIJ configurations from this period.

Cosmetically, the guitar is in very good condition for its age. There are a few small finish dings and some honest playwear on the back, exactly what you’d expect from a well-kept instrument of nearly 25+ years. Nothing structural, nothing excessive, just natural wear that actually suits the vibe of a vintage-style Tele. Overall, it has been very well preserved.

There is also a very small finish dot on the top near the pickguard, right next to one of the pickguard screws. It is purely cosmetic and quite subtle, but worth mentioning for full transparency.

The Vintage Blonde finish is beautiful, a soft, slightly creamy white that allows the wood grain to show through. You can clearly see the texture of the ash body beneath the translucent finish, which gives it depth and character. It’s understated, classy, and very “correct” for a ’52 reissue.

The neck has that classic Tele feel, substantial but comfortable, with a smooth, broken-in response that only time can create. Crafted in Japan instruments from this era are known for their consistency and precision, and this one is no exception: tight neck pocket, solid hardware, stable tuning, and excellent overall build quality.

Sonically, this is where the guitar really shines. The factory-installed Texas Special pickups deliver that ultimate Telecaster voice, hotter output than vintage-spec pickups, with more midrange push and bite. The bridge pickup has serious snap and authority, cutting through a mix effortlessly without sounding thin. The neck pickup is warm but still articulate, perfect for blues, roots, and soulful rhythm work. In the middle position, you get that unmistakable Tele chime with added punch.

It twangs when you want it to twang, but it also handles overdrive beautifully. There’s grit, growl, and dynamic response — dig in and it barks, ease up and it cleans up instantly. It’s a very expressive instrument.

This is a classic late-’90s CIJ Telecaster with upgraded electronics, great resonance, and timeless looks. A serious player’s instrument that feels broken-in, reliable, and stage-ready, and one that continues to hold strong value among Fender Japan enthusiasts.

The following work has been done: fret polishing, pickup height adjustment for clarity and balance, and a fresh set of D'Addario 10–46 strings installed. String action is set low and clean: 2.2 mm on the low E at the 12th fret. Internal cavity and neck pocket are documented - see photos for full transparency. 

Epic Axes is a musician-driven showroom in Los Angeles. Each guitar is personally selected, inspected, and tested to ensure top performance - only instruments we would play ourselves become part of our collection.

Body:
• Shape: Telecaster
• Wood: Ash
• Finish: Gloss polyurethane
• Color: Vintage Blonde (translucent, visible wood grain)
• Binding: None
• Construction: Bolt-on

Neck:
• Material: Maple
• Profile: Classic U (’52-style)
• Fingerboard: Maple (one-piece neck)
• Radius: 7.25"
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Frets: 21 vintage-style
• Nut Width: 42 mm
• Nut: Synthetic bone
• Truss Rod: Heel-adjust
• Finish: Gloss polyurethane

Electronics:
• Pickups: Fender Texas Special Telecaster single-coils (neck & bridge)
• Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone
• Switch: 3-way blade switch
• Wiring: Traditional Telecaster circuit
• Output Jack: Side-mounted 1/4"

Hardware:
• Bridge: 3-saddle vintage-style Tele bridge
• Saddles: Brass barrel style
• Tuners: Vintage-style Kluson-style tuners
• Pickguard: Black 1-ply (’52-style)
• Strap Buttons: Standard Fender

Weight: approx. 3.4–3.6 kg (7.5–7.9 lbs)