The origins of Vintage instruments are covered in detail on the relevant CBS pages. Thereafter there were several mainstream US production
models including 010-1303. In addition several Japanese models appeared in the western price lists and Frontlines. These
are all covered in my Japanese export pages.
There are also some custom shop and other short lived offerings at various times.
I have explained the pre 1967 and post 1967 switching in other places but just for completeness it is
Late 1952-1967: The Tone Control and "Dark Circuit"
Change: Fender changed the electronics, replacing the blend with a tone control knob.
Wiring:
Position 1: Bridge pickup with active tone control.
Position 2: Neck pickup with the tone control disabled, but with the "dark circuit" on, creating a treble-cut sound.
Position 3: Neck pickup alone, with the "dark circuit" off, enabling the tone control.
Late 1967 Onward: The Standard Twin Pickup Switching System
Change: The "dark circuit" was removed, and the standard twin pickup switching system was installed.
Wiring:
Position 1: Neck pickup alone with tone control.
Position 2: Both pickups together with tone control.
Position 3: Bridge pickup alone with tone control.
This model was the original Tele vintage reissue see CBS Vintage Telecasters here
CBS Vintage Telecaster
continued with the same model number until around 1997. It continued for a while with the 4 digit serial number stamped
on the bridge until in 1988 it changed to 5 digits. The Fender literature doesn't contain any reference to any changes to
the specifications from the CBS model but I suspect that with the change of factory to Corona in 1985 the different tooling
must mean some differences.
Specifications
Body Ash Nitro on poly finish
Neck one piece Maple C shaped 4 bolt
Fretboard Maple 7.25" radius 21 Vintage Frets
Headstock Original 52 style
Tuners Kluson Style Vintage Tuners
Pickups Standard Tele Single Coils described as "authentically original"
Controls Knurled Chrome 1 Volume 1 Tone 3 way switch*
Nut 1.65"
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 3 Brass saddle standard Tele with an extra 6 saddle chrome bridge
Pickguard Black 5 Hole single ply
Colours Butterscotch Blonde only
Comes with Vintage correct tweed case
* From the factory it comes with the pre CBS switching and a kit for converting to post 1967 switching.
The 1997 Frontline shows this model as being available in 2 other colours but as this is the changeover year
I suspect an error.
Launched in 1997/98 it first appears in the 1998 price lists and Frontlines with a Left Handed option as 010-0222.
The immediate difference is optional colours as well as Butterscotch Blonde it is offered in Black or Copper.
the Black is dropped in about a year, the Copper in 2000.
It is shown as the 52 Telecaster in the American Vintage section and is widely referred to as the AVRI 52 Telecaster.
Other differences to the specs above are:
Tinted U shaped 1 piece Maple neck
The pickups changed to more vintage accurate Alnico 3 type known as American Vintage 52 pickups.
The 12th Fret markers are more vintage accurate
5 digit serial number on the bridge
They initially came with a COA until 2005 said to be stopped because of the death of Bill Schultz ?
Still have the kits to change the bridge and wiring
The model is replaced in 2012
Styled in the brochure as pure vintage these ran from 2012 to around 2018. The Frontline says
The American Vintage Series has long presented some of Fender’s best selling guitars (their early-’80s introduction,
in fact, was one of the first signs that Fender was “back” as the CBS era ended). Today, Fender has boldly cleared the slate
to make way for a fresh American Vintage series with new features, new specs and the most meticulous level of vintage accuracy yet.
Rather than just replacing the previous models with different ones, we’ve completely and comprehensively re-imagined the entire
vintage-reissue concept—restoring original tooling dies, voicing new pickups, reformulating vintage colors and more—based on actual
vintage guitars we tracked down to make sure we had it right. We did the work, and it shows, because there’s pure tonal magic in each
new American Vintage instrument.
Some of what this means is
The pickups are still Alnico 3 but are more vintage sounding
The neck lacquer has a very light tint much lighter than previously
12th Fret markers are back to the less vintage wider spacing.
The finish on the body was a lighter much less orange colour with a thin lacquer finish and a Nitro sanding sealer
Still vintage wiring with post 67 upgrade kit
Vintage style bridge with optional 6 saddle included
Synthetic Bone nut
Serial Number is still on the bridge but starts with V followed by 7 numbers unlike previous serial numbers these actually refer to
the year the first two digits represent the year.
Now the tweed case has a red lining instead of the previous orange.
Includes the reprinted 1950s paperwork as part of the case candy
More Fender blurb below. Seems a blatant bit of marketing to establish collectable instruments.
“Fender is proud to announce the release of a limited number of the popular American Vintage Series instruments featuring
1st 46 neck plates, a designation given to the first 46 instruments of each model year. These neck plates commemorate the fact that
Fender was founded in 1946, as well as the fact that Fender is releasing the most accurate and beautiful Fender reissue instruments
ever from key historical years. The neck plate will serve as an indicator that these “1st 46” models were the first of their kind to
be built, as well as add an element of collectability to these first run instruments. These units will be randomly distributed around
the globe for Fender fans everywhere to have a chance to find one in their local stores.
This commenced production in 2017/8 and was a departure from trying to be vintage correct but added some modern features.
It had a 9.5" radius and vintage tall frets. Seems odd that they would make all the screws slot head to be more vintage.
In 1951 the Telecaster used slotted screws, which started changing in 1952 to Phillips head screws, eventually becoming all Phillips in ’53.
Serial numbers follow the same system as previous model
Specifications
Body Ash Nitro Gloss Finish
Neck Maple Fat U shape untinted gloss Nitro finish
Fretboard Maple 21 Vintage tall Frets 9.5" radius
Headstock see pictures
Tuners Pure Vintage single line Fender Deluxe
Pickups Pure Vintage 52 single coil Tele x2
Controls Knurled Dome 1 Volume 1 tone 3 way wired to post 1967 configuration
Nut 42mm bone
Hardware Nickel
Bridge Brass 3 uncompensated Saddles through body stringing Ashtray/Cover
Pickguard 5 hole black phenolic single ply
Colours Butterscotch Blonde only
Years available 2018-2022
Tweed case red lining COA
This model was launched in 2022 and is the current model. A return to more vintage accurate specs this time except for the frets
and the switching etc. strangely slot head screws everywhere except Phillips at the truss rod nut see reasoning above.
12th Fret dot spacing is vintage narrow.
Fender says
The Fender® American Vintage II series presents a remarkably accurate take on the revolutionary designs that altered
the course of musical history. Built with period-accurate bodies, necks and hardware, premium finishes and meticulously voiced,
year-specific pickups, each instrument captures the essence of authentic Fender craftsmanship and tone.
Body Ash Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck 1-Piece Maple Profile 1951 "U" Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Maple Radius: 7.25" 21 Vintage tall frets
Nut 1.65" Bone
Headstock see pictures apparently less angled than a 50 or 52. Because that's what it was like in 1951
Hardware Nickel/Chrome
Bridge Pure Vintage 3-Saddle Tele with Brass Barrel Uncompensated Saddles, Serial Number on V + year a 5 more numbers
Bridge Cover/Tailpiece Includes Chrome Bridge Cover
Tuning Machines Pure Vintage Single Line "Fender Deluxe"
Pickguard 1-Ply Black Phenolic
Control Knobs Knurled Dome 1 volume 1 tone 3 way switch
PickupS Pure Vintage '51 Single-Coil Tele X 2
Tweed case red lining
Butterscotch Blonde only
There are a number of other 50s style Telecasters both Custom Shop and others these will be my next project