The Japan Traditional Range was revised in 2020 and now features just 5 models. There are some significant changes
here is some blurb from Fender Japan
the new TRADITIONAL series uses US design data for the shape of the body, neck and headstock. By adopting the
original drawing, the "true fender-likeness" of a more vintage guitar is brought out. Also, with this change, it is now
possible to support US replacement parts such as pick guards. Unlike the old model, the headstock logo decal also uses
the original data to accurately reproduce the nuances and hues of the typeface. In addition, in the new TRADITIONAL series,
by applying a top coat on the logo decal, the durability of the logo is also improved and you can use clip tuners without hesitation.
There were many unique colors in the old TRADITONAL series, but with this renewal, the color palette was also revised and more traditional
such as Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White, White Blonde, Fiesta Red, Butterscotch Blonde etc. The emphasis was placed on the reproduction
of the "Fender-like color". It is safe to say that these traditional colors reproduced through trial and error have made the TRADITONAL
series even more valuable.
We also paid particular attention to playability. The nut width, which was 1.650 inches (42 mm) in the old model, has been updated to
1.615 inches (41.02 mm), and the fingerboard radius has been updated from 7.25 inches (184.1 mm) to 9.5 inches (241 mm), making it like
a vintage guitar. While providing a unique atmosphere, it offers ease of playing for more modern play.
Of course, the sound side has also been brushed up. The new Vintage Style Single Coil pickup uses an Alnico V magnet, which makes it
possible to output clearer, crisp tones.
What isn't said is that there are far fewer colour options and very little for left handers.
Visually very close to a 52 Telecaster but with the changes noted above
Specifications
Body Basswood polyester finish
Neck Maple U shaped 9.5" radius Gloss Urethane Finish
Fretboard Maple 21 Vintage style frets
Headstock see pictures
Tuners Vintage style
Pickups Alnico V tele style chrome at neck black at bridge
Controls Knurled Chrome 1 Volume 1 Tone 3 way switch
Nut 1.615" bone
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 3 saddle vintage through body brass barrel saddles
Pickguard Black 5 screw
Colours Butterscotch or White Blond
Left Handed available Butterscotch only
Launch Price 103950 yen Left Handed 116820 yen
Specifications
Body Basswood polyester finish
Neck Maple U shaped poly finish 9.5" radius 4 bolt
Fretboard Rosewood 21 Vintage style frets
Headstock Standard Telecaster 1 string tree with Silver spag logo and telecaster on the front Made in Japan and Serial Number on the back
Tuners Vintage style
Pickups Alnico V tele style chrome at neck black at bridge
Controls Knurled Chrome 1 Volume 1 Tone 3 way switch
Nut 1.615" bone
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 3 saddle vintage through body threaded steel saddles
Pickguard 3 ply Mint Green 8 screw
Colours Lake Placid Blue or Vintage White as at July 2022
Price at launch 103950 yen no left handed
Update March 2023 Trad 60s
Additional Colours/Finishes added as Limited Editions. There is a black and an aged finish.
Which comes in Sherwood Green Metallic or Dakota Red not a relic finish but slightly aged and said to
continue ageing.
Traditional 60s Telecaster Oly White with Blue Competition Stripe added.
Specs are as above except for cosmetic items. Matching headstock the stripe, colours finishes etc.
Specifications
Body Ash Polyester Gloss Finish
Neck Maple U shaped 3 bolt gloss urethane finish microtilt
Fretboard Maple 21 Vintage style frets 9.5" radius
Headstock Large 70s Strat type 2 string trees bullet rod truss adjust
Tuners Vintage F type Chrome
Pickups 2 vintage style Alnico V wide ranging humbuckers chrome
Controls Skirted Black Plastic 2 volume 2 tone 3 way switch
Nut 1.615 Bone
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 6 saddle vintage through body steel saddles
Pickguard 3 ply large black
Colour Sunburst Only
Launch Price 126720 yen No left handed
The custom in this case refers to the neck humbucker.
Specifications
Body Ash Polyester Gloss Finish
Neck Maple U shaped 3 bolt gloss urethane finish microtilt
Fretboard Maple 21 Vintage style frets 9.5" radius
Headstock Large 70s Strat type 2 string trees bullet rod truss adjust
Tuners Vintage F type Chrome
Pickups 1 vintage style Alnico V wide ranging humbucker chrome at neck 1 Alnico V single coil black at bridge
Controls Skirted Black Plastic 2 volume 2 tone 3 way switch
Nut 1.615 Bone
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 3 saddle vintage through body steel saddles
Pickguard 3 ply large black
Colour Black Only
Launch Price 121770 yen No left handed
Specifications
Body Semi Hollow Ash Gloss Polyester
Neck 1 piece Maple U shaped 3 bolt with Microtilit Polyurethane finish
Fretboard Maple 21 Vintage style frets 9.5" radius
Headstock Black CBS logo 2 string trees bullet truss rod adjustment
Tuners Vintage F type Chrome
Pickups 2 wide range humbuckers chrome
Controls knurled Flat top Chrome 1 volume 1 tone 3 way switch
Nut 1.615 Bone
Hardware Chrome
Bridge 6 saddle vintage through body chrome
Pickguard large 3 ply Perloid
Colours Natural No left handed
Launch Price 133650 yen
This guitar no longer appears on the Japanese site as at July 2022
Similar to the 50s Telecaster except for the addition of 2 single coil telecaster Texas specials this guitar comes in Sonic
Blue only with a tortoiseshell pickguard. Described only as a limited run no clue as to how many.
Sold only at Fender Online Shop and Fender shop at miki gakki Americamura, which is the American Village in Japan.
It retails at 137500 yen in 2022 about £850
Outside Japan
These are said to be domestic models only but the odd time a traditional will appear on websites of other
countries but with the exception of Australia I haven't seen one of the above models anywhere else. Fender Japan do
seem to send some domestic models to Australia and as at July 2022 Australians can buy right handed Traditional 50s
Telecaster and right handed Traditional 60s custom. Very oddly the 60s in Australia has colours not available in Japan.
Sonic Blue and Black are available.