CUSTOM EDITION TEAM
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| Fender Japan 10th anniversary model TLG-110LS 1992 Limited Edition by Custom Edition Team FIGURED BURL MAHOGANY BODY FLAME MAPLE NECK 1VOL, 1TBX, 5WAY SW BUFFER AMP(9V BATTERY) |
Custom Edition Team
According to the catalog of 1992, Fender Japan had a special team called Custom Edition Team which
does not exist anymore.
It was like Fender USA's Custom Shop. The team consisted of only highly skilled craftsmen, had
active
relations with Fender USA, only used selected materials, took special orders from users, and produced
special models like the guitar above.
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Here is the Custom Edition Team's logo. |
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| All Custom Edition Team guitars had this logo. (except EXTRAD seriese. They had "Fender Custom Made EXTRAD" decal.) |
| EXTRAD by Custom Edition Team "EXTRAD" stands for Extra Traditional Model. I believe any vintage replica guitar which was crafted by the Custom Edition Team was called EXTRAD at that time. This picture is also from 1992 catalog. It says "these basic models are just samples. you can specify any option. please contact Fender Japan's authorized dealer for the estimate." |
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(2001/10/22)
I've got some additional information about EXTRAD from Japanese users.
Followings are from this site's BBS thread which I want to archive in here.
>I bought a Fender Japan EXTRAD today and I saw on your site that
>you posted picture of the back of the headstock. Mine is different.
>It is not green and says...Fender Custom Made EXTRAD.
>Have you seen one like this before?
Yes, yours is correct. Although made by Custom Edition Team, EXTRAD
series had this decal.
>Also do you know if these guitars came with Japanese or
>US made pickups? Seems the electronics are US and the pickup
>wores are cloth covered.
According to Fender Japan catalog, they all used US parts including pickups.
(!!!)
But since EXTRAD models took special orders from users, some guitars
CAN have another kind of pickups. (i don't think someone insisted to use
japanese or cheap chinese pickups when he could get usa pickups as
a default. just a possibility here.)
In 1992, EXTRAD were at least 100000 yen. I think many were between
120000 to 200000 yen.
A Japanese owner said he had to wait more than six month to get his guitar.
Here are some examples of the special order:
standard body was alder
ash body (+10000 yen)
figuared maple neck (+10000 yen)
mint-green parts (+5000 yen)
standard color/finish is ALL laquar. (Yes, no poly-undercoat!!)
custom colors were available
| Charcoal Burst | |
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Charcoal Burst (color code - CCB) This nice "burned finish" is no longer offered by Fender Japan. I really liked this color. The left is TL62-65 (1992) Body : AMERICAN BASSWOOD TL52-65 was also available with maple fretboard. |
MIJ 50th aniversary Telecaster (?)
(need more info !)
It says "Made in Japan" on the neck.
It has the gold 50th anniversary sticker on the back or the headstock.
1997 Frontline magazine had some info about this guitar. (someone ?)
I don't see this guitar in my 1997 and 1998 Fender Japan catalog so this might be
for export only.
Electric Acoustic
| TLAC-100 (1992) BODY: SPRUCE TOP MAHOGANY BACK PU: LACE SENSOR BURTON SILVER (USA) CONTROLS: 1VOL 1PIEZO TBX 1BALANCE ACTIVE (9V) |
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TLG
(scanned from the 1995 catalog)
Telecaster Thinline Special (2002 new model)
Katsumi's comments
By now, you've already learned an important rule.
"If you see Custom Edition Team, buy it !! "
But what about MIJ's current (year2002) models ?
Well let's see ....
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TL52-80TX ** This model is one of the flagship tele model of Fender Japan for a long time. ** Why buy this MIJ rather than 52RI USA ? (1) cheaper (80000yen) (2) light-weight ash (not basswood) (3) USA pickups (Texas Special) (4) cool original Vintage Natural finish (not butterscotch) (5) the best thing is that this model is not trying to duplicate 52s'. thus, the pickups volume are well balanced and regular controls are useful for modern "working" musicians. |
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TL62B-95DK produced by Dr.K, a famous tele-master in Japan. ** Why buy this ? (1) only Fender Japan offers this model (2) alder body (not basswood) (3) unique pickup/control configuration 1 : neck 2 : center 3 : neck+bridge 4 : center+bridge 5 : bridge (4) USA pickups (Duncan JD, Lace sensor gold) (5) body binding Ventures' Gerry McGee is a big fan of this guitar. I know he has personally bought two of this model so far. |
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| Telecaster Thinline Special (See above section for the pictures and specification) This is also one of Fender Japan's original model. |
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'52 Telecaster (Thin Lacquer Finish) Limited Edition for only in the Japanese market. ('52strat, '62strat are also available) Actually, this is made in USA. I believe the YAMANO Gakki, a Fender's authorized dealer, had ordered this model to Fender USA. Colors: White Blonde Natural Butterscotch Blonde
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TL72-65 Rose fretboard is also available. ** Why buy this MIJ ? Pros: (1) affordable price (65000yen) (2) Sen body I take this as an pro. As tonewood, poplar, basswood and sen are good wood. But unlike poplar, in general, sen has beautiful and well defined grains. So if you don't care for "vintage authenticity", this is a good buy. (If you buy sen body guitar, be sure to buy a natural finish otherwise you lose the point) Cons: (1) Japanese pickups. But you can replace them if you really don't like the sound.
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