The Fender 72 Telecaster Custom is one of the lesser known models, though it was the company’s first to carry a humbucking pickup as stock – designed by Seth Lover, who also created Gibson’s humbucker in 1955. It was followed by the Telecaster Deluxe and re-worked Thinline versions with two humbucking pickups each. Introduced in 1972 as a major revision of the double-bound model built from 1959 to 1972, the Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1979.

The ‘Wide Range’ humbucking pickup was not the only new feature introduced with the Fender 72 Telecaster Custom. The ‘Bullet’ truss rod adjuster at the headstock and the ‘Micro Tilt’ neck angle adjuster also made their appearance.

The full name of the guitar pictured here is ‘Fender American Vintage ’72 Telecaster Custom’, and this version was built during 2011 and 2012, with several Nitrocellulose Lacquer finishes available. While these are pretty accurate reproductions, the Wide Range humbucker used is not exactly the same as the original, which used a CuNiFe magnet set that was long out of manufacture. Over the last couple of years, CuNiFe magnets have become available again and Fender now sells a replacement model.

This example was built during 2012 in Corona, California and is in very good, clean condition with only very light wear, mostly in the form of light finger marks to treble side of the pickguard. There is virtually no fret wear. As can be seen, the ‘ashtray’ bridge cover is included!

Sold with its original G&G rectangular hard shell case.

Fender 72 Telecaster Custom American Vintage Reissue Specifications: