Guitar Addictions offers this rare 2003 Fender Classic Series Flame ‘69 Telecaster Thinline to soup up your Hot Rod Guitar Addictions!

In 2003, Fender produced the first of two runs of the Classic Series Flame ‘69 Telecaster Thinline. There Isn’t much difference between the first and 2nd runs except the placement of the “flames.” On the 2003 iteration, the flames on the front are distinct from the flames on the back. Also, the f- hole is within the flames whereas on the 2006 reiteration, the flames avoid the f-hole and wrap around the bottom edge of the body to the back.

I do not not know how many were produced in 2006, but as you can see in the very last photo, a Fender rep confirmed to me via email that only about 100 of these were made in 2003. I think that makes this guitar fairly rare as opposed to most that are labeled rare and are actually only medium-rare.

This particular guitar has been upgraded with Kluson Vintage style tuners. It’s how the guitar came to me, but it was originally equipped with the “F stamped” Fender vintage style tuners. If you’re a purist, this might bother you but I’d guess the flames, coupled with the MIM aspect would have already turned away most “purists,” anyway. It’s an easily rectified scenario if you prefer to switch them out for the stock style.

The stock pickups have also been replaced with a couple Seymour Duncan offerings. In the bridge, we have a Seymour Duncan Lil ‘59 Humbucker paired with a Seymour Duncan STK-T1n Vintage Stack Telecaster pickup on the neck. It is a hum-canceling single-coil designed to deliver classic Telecaster tone— warm lows and crisp treble-without the traditional 60-cycle hum.
Rather than the traditional 3-way switch, this Hot Rodded Tele has a 4-way switch installed. Position 1 is the Lil ‘59 in the bridge. Position 2 is both pickups in parallel. Position 3 is the neck’s Vintage Stack pickup on its while position 4 allows both pickups to run in series.

The switch tip is aluminum and is attached with a set screw. Definitely the way to go, but it’s not stock. The knobs, when the guitar was photographed for this listing, are aftermarket with Abalone tops, but I have reinstalled the factory knurled knobs with a flat top. You will receive this souped up Telecaster with the factory knobs, not the aftermarket offerings Visible in the photos And of course, the hot little pin-up babe on the back is not stock. I have no idea how long she has been there waiting for you, but I opted to leave her there because she fits the motif of this Hot Rod Tele so well and the fear of the sticker shadow if removed.

This guitar is in very good condition with not much to disclose as far as play wear goes. On the treble side of the body, low on the horn, is the only ding I found on the body. There is a picture for your reference. There are some superficial scratches about the body, but they’re very had to see. They do not dig into the color nor do they expose the wood anywhere. There a some faint circular marks around the strap buttons from strap wear, but they’re not deep by any means. The frets still have 90-95% of life left in them. There is some play wear on the first few cowboy frets but nothing serious and definitely not so much that playing is interrupted in any way. The ashtray cover has a slight chip in the finish on the top left edge. There is a photo showing this for your review. The cover stays on pretty well but be advised I don’t think it sits as tight as it should.

The semi-hollow thinline body is made from Mahogany wood and puts this guitar at 6lbs 13.2oz. The natural Mahogany of the body produces the flames you see (as does the maple on the face of the headstock). The finish is Olympic White (except the natural areas of course that produce the flames). It has aged nicely and gives this Tele a beautiful patina. It really is a looker (especially with the tinted maple neck) and I’m sure that when you show up at your next gig this beauty will turn everyone’s head in your direction. And that goes for it’s looks as well as the output from the Seymour Duncan’s.

The platform of this build is the iconic ‘69 Telecaster and the specs follow, including the 7.25” fretboard radius with the heel adjusted truss rod. I’ll post the specs I have below, but if you have any questions, they will match whatever you see for a Fender Classic Series ‘69 Telecaster.

Please ask any questions that you may have prior to purchase. I’ll do my best to get them answered for you.
This beauty will ship in its hardshell case, professionally packed, fully insured and requiring a signature upon delivery. The case functions properly and they key is present. It does have some scuffs and signs that prove it’s been doing its job.

International buyers please inquire about actual shipping to your country. The price you see is just an estimate/place holder. Tell me where you are and I’ll get a more exact price for you.

Here are the factory build specs. Disregard the the factory specs wherein things have been upgraded and mentioned above already.

The full build specs include:

Body

• Material: Semi-hollow Mahogany or Ash
• Body Shape: Telecaster
• Unique Features: Single 'F' hole, top-hat style switch tip
• Finish: Gloss polyester 

Neck

• Material: 1-Piece Maple
• Neck Shape: 'U' shape
• Scale Length: 25.5“
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25”
• Number of Frets: 21
• Fret Size: Vintage-style
• Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650”
• Truss Rod: Heel-adjust vintage style 

Electronics

• Configuration: S/S (Single-Coil / Single-Coil)
• Neck Pickup: Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele
• Bridge Pickup: Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele with Alnico Magnets
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1 (Bridge), Position 2 (Bridge and Neck), Position 3 (Neck) 

Hardware

Bridge: Vintage-Style 3-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele with threaded steel saddles

Tuning Machines: Fender/Schaller Vintage "F" Style

Hardware Finish: Chrome

Pickguard: 4-ply white pearloid or 3-ply White/Black/White

As with any new to you guitar, a full setup for your playing preferences is recommended once you receive the guitar. Please ask any questions prior to purchase. Don’t be afraid to make an offer - that’s why the offer option is enabled! All of my items are offered for sale locally in Northern/Central Colorado, where I am able to sell at lower prices than I can here on Reverb. Don’t wait until someone buys it locally to think that you should have pulled the trigger - Once it is gone, it is gone! Guitar Addictions is a Reverb Preferred Seller. That means that you can purchase from Guitar Addictions not only with confidence, but you can pay with Reverb Bucks, Credit Card, PayPal or Affirm. Affirm is the easy financing program that allows you to pay a little each month but get your guitar now! Quick and easy application. Interest rate varies. Just add this guitar to your cart and choose Affirm as your method of payment. That will take you to the checkout process and the application. Please review feedback left for Guitar Addictions from previous customers and allow Guitar Addictions to satisfy your Guitar Addictions today!