We love one-owner guitars here at TME because they tell a story about the people that have owned them, and they educate us on why people have continued to own them.

That rings true even when it's not a pre-war Martin or 50s Gibson/Fender. Take this 1974 Fender Telecaster for example.

Purchased new from EU Wurlitzer Music in Boston by the original owner in 1974, this Telecaster features the classic look of a Blonde body and Maple neck that shook the guitar world 24 years prior. While much had changed in that time - and despite popular opinion - Fender still put some quality guitars out into the world in the mid 70s. Perhaps the original owner knew that, too. 

This is a wonderful sounding and playing example made even better with a couple of changes. First off, the original neck pickup had shorted out long ago and was misplaced, giving way to what is now a fantastic sounding Don Mare Big Box Archtop single coil. The other change - and a very common one at that - was the replacement of the stock electronics that used 1 MEG potentiometers with the more tonally familiar and accepted 250k potentiometers. Good news is the entire harness was removed and remains fully intact and operational should the next owner decide to return it back to that stock configuration. Pot codes on the originals date to the 49th week of 1973 and the 14th week of 1974, respectively. 

The original bridge pickup remains intact and great sounding - a nice complement to what many would consider a great upgrade in the neck position. Along with that, the pickguard, bridge, and saddles are original, as is the very clean Fender hardshell case.

The neck still has its original fretwire that remains quite healthy enough for a great playing experience. It's got a nice medium carve with a slim taper feels very nice in hand. The original nut was replaced due to simply wearing down over the years - another indication that this guitar was played a lot and also well taken care of.

As time rolls on, the once overlooked quality electrics born out of the Golden Era of electric guitar have started to push themselves through the pack of the lesser desired sea of 70s instruments and reveal their potential. We tend to think these uncirculated gems have a deserving place in the hands of a Telecaster lover who carry a light wallet. Major bang (or twang) for your buck!

Priced with original hardshell case.

• Polyurethane Blonde finish over Ash body
• Maple neck w/ original frets and F stamped tuners
• Medium C neck profile: .84" @ 1st fret / .88" @ 12th fret
• Replacement neck pickup: Don Mare Big Box Archtop single coil (7.42k)
• Original bridge pickup: 5.81k ohm output
• Original bridge with steel saddles
• Replaced wiring harness with 250k pots
• Original wiring harness included, fully intact (pot codes '7349' and '7414)
• Original ashtray bridge cover
• Weight: 8lb 7oz