Fender’s American Vintage II Series is a meticulously designed collection of period-correct electric guitars and basses. Each model is carefully chosen and recreated based on its contribution to the Fender story of that year. All models feature year specific bodies, necks, hardware, finishes, and pickups. American Vintage II is the most accurate production series of legacy instruments across the timeline of Fender history.
Originally designed to lighten the curb weight of the heavy Ash guitars of the late 60s, the semi-hollow Tele Thinline was born in 1968. However, the ’72 model was significantly different than the original version. Late in 1971, the Telecaster Thinline became the first Humbucker 6-string in the Fender line. 1972 was the first full year for that option. This was also the first Telecaster with 6 individual adjustable bridge saddles. 70s era features also include bullet truss rod, 3 bolt neck plate, block Telecaster logo, and a lacquer peghead that fades differently than the rest of the poly guitar. Since the peghead logos reacted to the polyurethane, Fender had to continue shooting the face with nitro, resulting in this key characteristic.
The neck is a single piece maple with a 7.25” fingerboard radius and a 1972 “C” shaped profile. Tuning machines are period correct “F” stamped 6 in line. The pickups are Authentic CuNiFe Wide-Range Humbucking pickups, 1 in the neck, 1 in the bridge. Controls are a simple master volume/master tone configuration with a 3-position blade (bridge/both/neck). 1 Meg pots are a key component in replication of the 72 Thinline sound. All controls are mounted in the iconic pearloid pickguard.
Complete with vintage-style black case, with orange interior.