Fender '52 Reissue Telecaster

I bought this guitar new in 1992, if I recall correctly, and I treasure it even more today than when I carried it out of the store. Made in the USA, it's a butterscotch with a maple neck. The guitar came with the three-saddle bridge and the original 1952 Tele pickup wiring, but I opted to change the bridge for the six-saddle version(which was also included) and wire the pickups conventionally. The guitar also came with the necessary electronics to update the wiring. So, it's a basic guitar, but therein lies its beauty.

I am exceptionally pleased with the sound of the guitar. I play it with either a Fender Pro Junior or a Mesa Boogie Mark IV combo, and the guitar works well with both amps. It's great for doing Stonesy stuff, alt-country fare, and pretty much whatever I throw at it. Its single-coil pickups prevent it from being a metal monster, but for down-and-dirty rock 'n' roll, you'd be hard pressed to arm yourself with a more willing and effective weapon.

With one exception, which I note below, I have been extremely happy with all of the guitar's components, its finish, and its ease of playing. In fact, this is one of those guitars that just "feels right." It's light and responsive, and one can get around the fretboard easily. It truly is an exceptional instrument. I once owned a mid-70s Tele Deluxe--the black one with the humbuckers--and that was one hurtin' guitar compared to the '52 Reissue. Fender did this one right.

My only criticism is that I had to replace the neck pickup. A guitar tech who set the guitar up for me early in its life said that the pickup was wound poorly and that it therefore lacked volume. I took his word for it and replaced the pickup with a Seymour Duncan. I hadn't noticed that the neck pickup was particularly anemic, largely because I seldom use that pickup anyway, but this chap knew what he was talking about, and he wasn't the type to feed me B.S. to sell me a replacement pickup either. I believe that the tech also insulated the pickups to reduce the guitar's hum.

I've gigged with this guitar, and it's more than capable of standing up to life on the road. I've worn some of the finish off the body where my right arm rubs the guitar, but such wear is to be expected over time. I much appreciate this guitar's ability to stay in tune. Once I tune up, rarely do I have to touch the machine heads again; they are exceptional. In fact, I can leave the guitar in its case for a couple of months, pick it up, and it will be EXACTLY in tune. Whereas if I look at my 1996 Les Paul the wrong way, it goes out of tune. I break too many strings to gig without a backup guitar, but I'm not worried about the neck falling off my Tele.

The guitar tech that I mentioned above said that he tried to get in touch with Fender to complain about the sloppy quality of the neck pickup, but he didn't get any kind of response from them. That said, I have never dealt with Fender myself and cannot therefore offer an opinion about their customer support.

I have been playing guitar since 1973 and have owned a 1960s Gibson ES 120-T, a '72 Gibson SG, a '75 Gibson Les Paul Custom, a '76 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, a mid-70s Fender Telecaster Deluxe, an '80s Ibanez Roadstar Strat copy, a '96 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus, a fairly recent Axl Johnson strat copy, and of course the '52 Reissue Tele. The '52 is a pure gem, and I would without question get another one were it to disappear. In short, with the exception of the pickup problem, I could not be happier with this guitar. It sounds wonderful, it plays smoothly and feels right, it stays in tune, and it's lightweight; hard to ask more.

2005 Model American Vintage '52 reissue Telecaster. Light ash body, (mine is 6.75 lbs) -impeccable- nitrocellulose lacquer finish, vintage '52 reissue pickups that friggin' HONK. What can I say? After a few nights of loosing sleep, and figuring how I can score one of these babies, I did it. I traded my BELOVED American Standard old faithful, hot-rodded '93 and some cash. Simple, classic design. No features really, it's a Tele, but DAMN IS IT COOL! How do you rate 'features' for a vintage tele? There are none, until I install the Floyd Rose locking trem, and the PAF humbucker. I'm KIDDING. I would not change a THING on this amazing old fart-inspired reissue.

An easy 10. I play it through a modified Peavey Classic 30 that I preamp with (believe it or not) a Marshall MG10CD. (try it, it's awesome). This guitar has GOT IT. Snappy, sparkly, snarly in the bridge PU. Just like they used to sound. Well defined but not too trebly. The neck pickup is amazing for 'broken blues' tone. Think 'the sky is crying' or 'red house'. It will simply send shivers up your spine.

Spectacular 'honey blonde' nitrocellulose finish. Not 1 noticable flaw. I must admit, the neck gets a bit 'sticky' due to the nitro (after playing a semi-glossed poly finish for so long) but it doesn't take long to get used to it an truly appreciate how the neck feels and the strings 'stick' to your fingertips. Feels 'dirty' but in a very cool way. Fender, you got it right. I did have to 'tweak' the truss a bit. A little too much relief in the neck for my tastes, but strung it up and it all fell into place. This guitar is a challenge to play in a VERY positive way, if you've been playing the 'new' stuff. It feels like what it is. A meticulous recreation of a classic. Think going from your 2005 Impala to driving a '57 Chevy. A bit more challenging, but OH SO REWARDING and FUN!

It's a Telecaster! It'll be around long after the second coming.

Never dealt with Fender on a 'customer support' level.

Playing since '76. NEVER DREAMED I'd part with my hot-rodded, fat fretted, Joe Barden'ed '93 American Std. Tele. I had A LOT of thinking to do before I did. But, after HEARING and PLAYING this bad-ass mofo, I have no regrets. It'll take a little getting used to, but everything in time. I can't wait to see the finish check and the neck get that 'old' feel. Only with the vintage stuff. Great job, Fender!

I give it a ten for a Vintage RI Tele by modern standards it would get a 0, but in 1952, this was cutting edge stuff. Two very good pickups, a 3 saddle brass saddled bridge, 21 frets, and a volume and tone control.

I play jazz, rock, and blues. This is the worst sounding guitar I have ever played, it is very muddy and lacks definition. Just kidding, you should have seen the look on your face. Anyway it sounds drop dead amazing, I raised the pickups and it wants to sound like a Les Paul, so I had to lower them to get it to sound like a Tele again, VERY versitile guitar. It is the holy grail of telecasters, it can sound cool and twangy or thick and crunchy.

I bought the guitar used, it was set up great. I keep the action just high enough to play slide (BTW, this is a amazing slide guitar), but the intonation on the high E went quite flat, I fixed it myself to a reasonable level, but I'll get that fixed by a tech.

Probably this is my fault, as a I bang this guitar around A LOT, the finish is holding up great. Smooth neck to me, my hand gets crap on it though but I dont mind.

Built like a brick shithouse. I can't see myself destroying it no matter how hard I bash it.

n/a I got it used.

If you are thinking about buying this guitar, buy it. It is a very good and versatile guitar. Sounds Excellent, plays great. Just watch the intonation, it gets tricky with 3 saddles.

According to the serialnr it is a 2001, ordered it from ishibashi japan. Texas special pickups, vintage style small frets, maple neck, ash body. Came with a crappy gigbag.

I play rock music mainly and I REALLy like the pickups..I play it through a Fender Blues Jr, I use only one pedal and that is a Carl Martin Hot drive MK2..Very versatile guitar..neck pickup can be very mellow and I like to use it when i play slide guitar..I give it a 9 cause it can always be better but I am very pleased..it is very resonate when strumming it unplugged.

I asked koichi for a low action and it was quite good. Not as good as my squier strat but ok. It was even almost in tune when it arrived from japan! I have since put on a six saddle modern gotoh bridge cause i didn't like hitting the edge of the bridge with my hand..I know some have replaced the vintage bridge with a "shaved lip" type but I like the modern one. It was an 8 and after the mods it's a 9

It's a tele! this will last forever. So will the polyurethane finish too..sadly. nop issues here

Never dealt with them, ishibashi was VERY good though!

Been playing for 10 years. Own a 80's MIJ tele thinline, Squier strat and takamine Ef-341SC. If it was stolen I would buy a new one from Ishibashi, definately. I love it because the look, the feel and that it will be with me forever, age with me. Really liked the price too. Saw a "real" MIA 52 used here in finland for 1600? so I am not complaining.

All the Bit's and Pieces; Deluxe Case, Certificate, Ash Tray etc. etc.

I play country, rockabilly, blues, pop. This Guitar does everything I want. I've had it for 4 months now and I find it hard to put it down. The finish is perfect. The action and intonation, ex factory, and landed in Australia needed no attention whatsover. My only critisism is leveled at the sticky neck and I'm hoping as I play it in the nitro-cellulose (or whatever !) will wear off.
There's the usual Vintage PU Noise (Doesn't worry me)The tones through both my Blues Junior and Deluxe Reverb R.I. are just beautiful. Clean biting true tones with that Tele overlay, you know what I mean. With the amps cranked up (Fat on the BJ) Full reverb, I can get that "Texas Twang" I love this Guitar.

Flawless, I cannot pick a joint in the body I'd swear it is one piece. I have a Korean Lite-Ash Tele and putting them side by side is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Daewoo.
I will not change the 3 saddle bridge nor will I change to Modern wiring. I like it just the way it is.

I play live with this Guitar, my other (and many) Guitars have taken a back seat. Also my Ovation Balladeer and Takamine EN20 Jumbo accoustics are gathering dust. I'VE FOUND A MATE FOR LIFE.
The Finish looks great, I read all the reviews and can understand some of the complaints, it appears that all these models are 'individual' all I can say is that I'm more than happy with mine. Once again, the neck's a bit sticky after a hour or so playing I find I've got a sort of resiny deposit over the neck so I wipe it down with a damp cloth. In time that should wear off.

My local bloke is a Licensed Fender Dealer, I've had great support from him over the years and will continue to have any work done on any of my equipment from him. He's already replaced a faulty AMP, the Fender Blues Junior, with no hesitation (Faulty reverb unit)
Apart from that I can't see anything going wrong with the '52. It's built to last longer than I am, my grandkids will be playing it.

Playing 40 years, Retired professionally 15 years ago, just play rhythm/lead guitar with a Country Music Club at present plus the occasional solo gig.
Other Guitars; At present: Les Paul Custom, Maton Pro 58/80 (335 Dot look alike)
Lite-Ash Tele. Accoustics as mentioned before plus a Maton Classical guitar.
I Insured this Guitar 3 Days after it arrived. If stolen I would buy another and pray that it sounds and is finished the way mine is.
I love everything about it. My only regret is the years I have wasted playing accoustic guitars and the money I have spent and wasted on other equipment. Being mainly a vocalist I've looked at the guitar as an accessory. I was wrong !!!!

Here's the site by Fender that tells what the nut is made of...it is bone! http://www.fender.com/support/diagrams/pdfs/AV52TELE/SD0100202CPg3.pdf

It is either a 02' or 03'. You know what it looks like - they only make them one way. Did update the pickup thing. Although I spent a long time with the stock set up (I mainly use the bridge position anyway) like just about eveyone else I mondern-ize it. I also put a bone nut on it. Other than that - Stock. I give it a 9 because, IMO, you don't need anything else on an electric guitar like a Telecaster and, if your reading this then you're probably considering buying one or something. As far as Telecasters go... well it's a classic looking one. And if you find one that plays well in your hands then buy it.

Sound-wise I love it. It's a workhorse and pretty versitile (especially if you update the pickup thing). I mean, of course there isn't a whammy bar, locking system, active pickups or anything. But what do you want? It's a Telecaster.

I added the bone nut, which I highly recommend anyone do. It will open it up and give you some great sustain. It just brought mine more to life. (Plastic machine cut ones are usually cut too deep and don't really fit the strings. I sort of recommend custom cutting the nut on any guitar. Its cheap and easy and can really improve the sound of any guitar. IMO)

Its a great clean guitar. Can be twangy or fat. You can strum or pick it and it just works. I will say that overall the 52 RI Telecaster is bright sounding. What is great about bright guitars, like this one, is that you can get some really rich overdrive sounds out of them. And it responds well to overdrives and distortion pedals - Lots of cool presence and harmonic overtones and such.

I don't recommend trying to play too heavy with it - You ain't gettin' no Slayer tones here. That said - Jimmy Page is rummored to have played most of the Zep albums on a Telecaster in the studio. So, you can surely ROCK this guitar. And that it what I usually do and it always comes through.

I also love the way it's single coil bridge pickup works with tremolo and delay effects. It really brings them out and adds a great character.

I use it with either a Fender RI Bassman or a Marshall JCM 800 2X12 Combo and it sounds great with both of them.

It took me a long time to find this guitar because of one thing - Piss poor factory set up. Mine is one of only two that I've ever played that felt natural. Normally when I play this model in a store there are two very big issues:

1. High E string feels like it is on the edge of then neck.
2. Intonation is way off.

The one I bought wasn't that way, a fluke I'm sure. There are some limitations with the saddle. If you can't find one close to perfect then there are some opotions: Replace it. OR - find someone who knows how to bend it. This is wierd to me but I take mine to this guy here in STL that bends the saddle to get the intonation perfect. It's amazing.

It's a beautiful guitar to look at. And it wears well too - the more you bang it up the cooler it looks.

"Live to play. Play to live." The Telecaster moto, IMO. Who cares if the fisish is good enough to last? It's gonna look better all beat up anyway. Do whatever you want to this guitar. It will take it.

Don't deal with them. I've never bough a guitar that I didn't like. If you can't tell a Lemmon in the store then you probably don't know how to play enough to buy a guitar like this. What I mean is - It's a pretty expensive guitar for how well Fender builds them. You can't just pick one up, drop $1200.00 and expect it to be good. That's why I'm actually rating this category. Fender should make a better guitar for the money. I've always wanted this guitar but, it took me 3 years to find the perfect one. Why? Because they just don't build them like they use to. (If you want the look without the looking around, try
G&L, they build a pretty flawless version and will costomize it for about the same amount of cash).

I've been playing for over 15 years and this is one of my favorites. I like very basic guitars. I also own an American Standard Strat and a Gibson Les Paul JR. If it were stolen I would go and buy another - and hopefully it wouldn't take three years to find. I love it's sound. The Telecaster bridge pick up is a classic, unique and original sound. It does a lot.

I did compare this one to a G&L Asat. I would have bought the Asat except for one thing - it was Orange. Well, you have to feel comfortable behind your guitar and, for me, Orange just wansn't right. And I didn't feel right about custom ordering one in a color I could deal with.

Anyway, it an amazing guitar if you find one that fits you.

I am now a proud owner of a new 2005 american made 52 reissue telecaster. You all know what it looks like so I won't bother with that. As for features, what can I say it's a 52 reissue tele.

I've been playing a lot more rock/country shows lately steering me away from my strats and my super. Opting for a tele and a twin. I don't overdue it with effects, a tube screamer and an analog delay.

The bridge pickup has the right amount of twang but it's not peircing like a lot of telecasters that I have played.

The guitar was set up pretty good out of the store. It's needs a radius adjustment but it plays well. The neck is sticky like the orginals. I don't know what to do about that. I don't want to sand it out but may not have a choice if it's something that I don't grow accustom to.

Pickups will need to wired to the modern wiring. I have no use for the old wiring. That's just my preference.

As well I'll have to see how the vintage saddles work out. At the moment the guitar is intonated. The guitar stayed in tune after three sets of heavy playing.

Like all Fender guitars it's a workhorse. It's well put together and will be kicking as long as I am. I'm sure of that.

Don't know. Never dealt with Fender support.

I've been playing for about twelve years and for most of that I've been a loyal strat player. In the last couple of years though I've moved in different directions musically and a telecaster has appealed to me. I really wanted one but didn't want to settle for a knock off or anything that wasn't american made.

I walked in to a local music store and saw it on the shelf and had to have it. I knew I wanted a butterscotch blonde tele and this one was well made, detailed and american made. I didn't even try it through my amp. I knew it would sound great. It smokes. I suspect I am officially converted to the telecaster.

I picked up this baby Feb of 2005, it was made a month earlier. Ash body, butterscotch blond with Nitro-cell finish. American Vitnage pickups, neck 7.5rad U shaped. Comes with vintage tweed case and various guitar candy. Wasn't too impressed with case because the gold plush interior likes to shed on the guitar, so I sold it on Ebay and just use Fender's standard black HSC.

I play a rock/country mix and this baby plays like a dream. I run it through a Cybertwin head, and I have since forgotten about my wife. I have played many different brands and types of guitars and this 52' RI is by far the best sounding guitar to date. The American Vintage pickups matched with a 0.047 cap used in the vintage wiring is something I cannot describe, you have to play it. It comes with a modern wiring kit (to change to a 0.022 cap which is more bright) but I would never do it. I did change to the modern bridge which comes with the guitar just because I am not a fan of that style. The 3rd or the neck postion with the vintage wiring is pretty much useless unless you want to play bass. That is what it was used for back in the day when dudes couldn't afford a bass so they just played in the neck position on a Tele which uses a 0.10 cap which is found on a bass. But the second poistion is a must if you are a blues player that loves thick milky tone. The first position is so versitile, and you can play this guitar with any genre of music, but I wouldn't reccomend thrash-punk-felon metal unless you shield it or have a noise reducer.

It came with the 3 saddle brass bridge from the factory. I immediately changed it to the modern 6 saddle bridge for looks and individual string adjusting. I also put on a chrome pickguard and a flame Tele control plate to stand out from everybody else. The neck is a 7.5 radius U shaped, it took a little geting used to, but I love it just as much as the 7.5 C-shaped. There are no finish flaws or knots in the ash wood.I will never buy a guitar that isn't Ash ever again, the sustain is amazing.

When you pick this guitar up, you can tell it is solid. Maybe it is just me, but when I pick up a guitar with an alder body, it just isn't the same. Whenever I play a Mexican or Japanese made Fender, it just doesn't feel or play right. I have been sucked into Fender's merchandising scheme of buying cheap guitars and going up the ladder into the expensive ones. Do yourself a favor and buy an Amercian Ash Fender, you will not be dis-satisfied. It was expensive, $1259, but you get what you pay for. I tried other vintage RIs and they jsut don't match up to this guitar's pickups and tone, like the Fender 62' or the 67' Tele. This is what the pros play, look it up.

I have never dealt with Fender personally. Their high end guitars come set up perfect and with a warranty, so I see no reason to contact them. I bought mine from Music123.com, where I buy all my guitars because they come flawless. I always send back guitars I buy from Musiciansfriend because you always get a guitar that some grease-monkey used or sent back.

I have been playing for about 15 years. I also own a 52' reissue chambered Ash tele, which I use as a backup on stage in case I break a string. I would buy this guitar again and again if someone stole it or if I had to hit a fan with it. It is expensive, but worth every penny, I love it more than my wife (Sorry Honey) Nobody beats American made Fender guitars.

The '52 was set up so studio session players could use the Tele to play bass parts. This is done by puting the PU selector switch in the full neck position. Voila! Bass guitar! Now with the switch in center position, you have the neck PU on. With selector in bridge position you have the bridge PU on, of course.

So how does one blend the 2 PU's, you ask? Simple. Put the switch between the middle and bridge positions and you get the blend. POW! The closer to the mid the more neck PU and the closer to the bridge...you get the picture...

Now that you understand this concept, don't love the '52 even more?

Twang. Balls to the wall.

Sticky sweet finish like the old days.

Fender Teles can't be beat.

Fender support blows.

If you like to hear a real guitar, this is it.