1989-1990 Fender Telecaster CTL-50M (TL-52), Made in Japan - Natural Ash

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.

Made in Japan during the legendary FujiGen era, this Fender Japan CTL-50M is a very cool and somewhat lesser-seen variation of the classic ‘52-style Telecaster. Produced around 1989–1990, it combines traditional Tele aesthetics with some unique factory features that make it stand out from standard TL-52 models.

The “CTL” designation is believed to refer to a Custom Telecaster variation, while the “M” stands for the maple fingerboard. Unlike some catalog-standard TL-52 models of the era, CTL-series instruments occasionally featured slightly different specs, finishes, or electronics configurations intended for the domestic Japanese market. This particular example comes in a beautiful pale Natural Ash finish, showing off the grain nicely with that classic late-‘80s / early-‘90s Fender Japan vibe.

The guitar is in overall great condition for its age. Cosmetically, there are some small finish chips, dings, and signs of honest use consistent with a 1989 instrument, but nothing major. Overall, it presents as a very clean and well-kept vintage MIJ Telecaster.

One of the coolest features of this guitar is the upgraded 4-way switching system. The electronics have been modified with replaced switch, pots, capacitors, and knobs. The switch offers a wider tonal range than a standard Telecaster, including the classic neck and bridge sounds, traditional parallel middle position, and an additional series mode that gives the guitar a thicker, hotter almost humbucker-like tone.

The neck is in great structural condition with no warp issues. The truss rod works properly and still has plenty of adjustment range left. Frets show normal even wear for the age, but still have good life remaining. No deep grooves, dead spots, or buzzing issues - the guitar plays smoothly up and down the neck.

A very vibey late-‘80s Fender Japan Telecaster with classic looks, lightweight ash body character, and some tasteful functional upgrades that make it an especially versatile player.

The following work has been done: full fretboard cleaning, fret polish, pickup height adjustment for balance and clarity, and a fresh set of D’Addario 10-46s installed. String height at the 12th fret on the low E is right at 2.2 mm - set for comfortable playability. 

Body

• Construction: Solid body, bolt-on neck
• Wood: Ash (sen)
• Finish: Natural, gloss polyurethane
• Pickguard: Black single-ply Telecaster-style pickguard
• Weight: approx. 7.2–8.0 lbs
• Contours: Traditional Telecaster slab body

Neck

• Material: Maple (1-piece maple neck and fingerboard)
• Joint: Bolt-on
• Profile: Vintage-style "С"
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Radius: 7.25"
• Frets: 21 vintage-style frets
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Nut: Synthetic bone
• Nut Width: approx. 42 mm / 1.65"
• Neck Finish: Gloss polyurethane

Hardware

• Bridge: Vintage-style 3-saddle Telecaster bridge with brass saddles
• Tuners: Fender Japan vintage-style tuners
• Control Plate: Chrome Telecaster-style
• Knobs: Dome-style chrome knobs
• Switch Tip: Black
• Strap Buttons: Standard Fender style
• Hardware Finish: Chrome

Electronics

• Pickups: Fender Japan vintage-style Telecaster single-coils (original)
• Controls:
  • Volume (master)
  • Tone (master)
• Switching: Upgraded 4-way selector switch
• Output Jack: 1/4" mono
• Configuration: SS

Other

• Model: CTL-50M (TL-52 style)
• Year: 1989–1990
• Made in: Japan (FujiGen)
• Origin: Fender Japan domestic production
• Serial: J018153 (Made in Japan)
• Electronics: Switch, pots, capacitors, and knobs replaced
• Wiring: Includes additional series mode for thicker humbucker-like tone
• Neck Condition: No neck warp, truss rod with plenty of adjustment remaining
• Fret Condition: Good vintage condition with smooth playability and even wear
• Cosmetic Condition: Excellent overall vintage condition with minor dings and finish chips consistent with age
• Case: No case included