1993 Fender Japan MIJ Custom Edition TL52-200BB B-Bender Telecaster (order-only, Inca Silver nitro)

Model: 1993 TL52-200BB

Body: light ash
Neck: maple, one piece

Features an official Parson/White String Bender

An extremely rare gem from Fender Japan's Custom Edition team, available only by request for a brief period in the early 90s; the Custom Edition B-Bender Telecaster (TL52-200BB). This guitar was one of the highest-priced items in the Fender Japan catalog during Fujigen's run, listed at 200,000 yen. The Custom Edition team at Fender Japan was a group of highly skilled craftspeople who were given first pick for select wood materials and handled select high tier orders.

Although they also did normal production work, rather than having a "custom shop," their work is renowned for its exquisitely high quality (and Fujigen's Order Made/Custom Made/Custom Edition systems were the blueprint for nearly every major custom shop). Fujigen's work is always great, but that extra 5-10% perfection makes Custom Edition/Custom Made guitars and indeed even a lot of Order Made guitars absolutely incredible.

The light ash body is perfectly balanced for easy but stable B-Bender use; chambering for the Parson/White String Bender mechanism brings this guitar's total weight down to about 7.5 pounds; perfect for long sessions. Originally finished in OWB (off-white Blonde), it was refinished in Inca Silver nitrocellulose lacquer somewhere along the way, likely as a custom order selection given the existence of other Inca Silver factory finishes in the 1990s (extremely rare!). Given the guitar's age and Japan's extremely diverse environments, a touring musician's gear is exposed to some fairly harsh conditions, and the checking/flaking of the finish appears to be rather consistent with actual use rather than a relic job.

The B-Bender functions with a smooth and even action that makes consistent half- and full-step bends easy. Comfortable to play, with those beautiful USA-made American Vintage 52 Telecaster pickups from the late 80s/early 90s singing with that classic Tele sound. Everything from woody and chimey to bright and twangy, this guitar does it all.

The cost of an official Parsons/White String Bender installation alone is $1,850 plus the costs of shipping your guitar for the work. This price has been added to the market rate for a Custom Edition Fender Japan guitar.

If you've been seeking a great B-Bender Telecaster that will outlive you, this is the one.