These guitars are made to similar specs to the original 1952 Telecasters, as always they are not styled as reissues (with one exception)
and with the exception of the Extrad range are not meant to be exact replicas.
Japanese manufacturers never make life simple and Fender Japan excels itself with the TL52 range. It is one of the most difficult to
catergorise I have ever come across. Only exceeded by some Yamahas.
The difficulty is that designations change sometimes it is the same model sometimes there are slight variations and even more difficult
sometimes a model will be released that has the same name as a previous one but is a different guitar.
So a TL52-70 was released as a new model in 1994 even though there was aTL52-70 in 1985 that was a completely different guitar.
I am going to try to make some sense out of this by doing it by eras randomly chosen to get as clear a picture as I can.
General
All TL52 models unless I tell you otherwise later will have all these features in common
Neck Maple with a Maple board or 1 piece Maple 324mm scale 7.25" radius
21 vintage frets
Pickguard Black single ply 5 hole
Bridge 3 saddle brass through body
Vintage Tuners
1.65" Nut
Neck shaped varied from U shaped to full C and some V shapes I will clarify with each model were I can
A headstock that looks like this picture with this logo
The first TL 52 models were made in 1982 and from 82 to 84 there were JV TL52s. I don't intend to cover these excellent guitars please look up the 21 frets
website for these
In the mid to late 80s there were 4 distinct models (plus the Extrad covered later), these were
TL52-95 of which some left handed guitars were produced
TL52-70 which became the TL52-75 due to a price increase in 1986
TL52-65
TL52-70SPL described in the Collectors section of the catalogue
Specifications comparisonsAll as general above
| TL52-95 | TL52-70 and 75 | TL52-65 | TL52-70SPL | |
| Body | Sen | White Ash | American Basswood | White Ash |
| Pickups | 2 USA made Vintage Tele | 2 Tele Vintage | 2 Tele vintage | 1 Vintage Tele 1 Dragster Humbucker at the neck |
| Colours | Blonde or Butterscotch Blonde | as 95 plus Natural | Charcoal Burst | Blonde |
All models are described as having U shaped necks
Colours are as per the catalogue there is no doubt that there will be others about especially as there will be export models
with variations.
Note The SPL has an incorrect bridge in that it is 6 saddle.
In 1990 Fender Japan changed their designation system whereas the last number had represented the release price in 1000 yen
the new system represented the price in 100 yen so a TL52-95 had been 95,000 yen the new TL52-900 was 90,000 yen.
The replacement models and changes were
New models are TL52-900, TL52-700, TL52-600 and TL52-650SPL
The TL52-900 replaced the TL52-95 but with some significant changes which were
The body was now a lacquer finish on a Light weight Ash body and a new colour option of Natural was added
The 700 replaced the 75 body now described as Light Weight Ash but still a poly finish again Natural added as a colour option
The 600 replaced the 65 with no changes except it is now said to have a USA made bridge for some reason
The 650SPL replaced the 70SPL with no changes
What seems a little strange is despite models staying the same and any changes being improvements any price changes are reductions
They are now describing all necks as "Oval type" which can be anything usually a deep C or still a U this description of the necks
continues to the present day. It is worth bearing in mind that there have been at least three different factories building these and
it would be surprising if the necks didn't vary but "oval" covers anything really.
In 1992 Fender Japan changed back to the earlier system of the last numbers referring to 1000 yen and the model numbers were back to the same
as 1989. So once more we had a TL52-95 75 a 65 and a 70SPL
These models continued through to 1994 with slight designation changes to refect price changes
but with the same specifications as the 900 the 700 and the 600 the 80SPL had the same specifications as the SPLs before.
So the 1993 onwards TL52-95 and the TL52-75 are not the same guitar as the pre 1990 models but are the same as the 900 and the 700,
I said this was confusing.
The changing designations are shown below
| 1992 | 52-95 | 52-75 | 52-65 | 52-70SPL | |
| 1993 | 52-95 | 52-75 | 52-65 | 52-70SPL | |
| 1994 | 52-110 | 52-85 | 52-75 | 52-80SPL | |
| 1995 | 52-110 | Gone but see below | 52-75 | 52-80SPL |
The changes between 1993 and 1994 actually happened in a second issue of the catalogue in 1993 so some 1993 guitars will have the 1994 designation
In the later 1993 catalogue a new model TL52-70 appears and is shown as a new model but when it appears in the second 1994 catalogue but when it appears
in the 1995 catalogue it is still described as a new model.
It can also be seen that the 52-75 in 1995 is the same guitar as the 52-65 of 1993 not the same as the 1993 52-75
Another new model the TL52-200BB appears in the 1993 catalogue
Another curiosity is that the TL52-75 in 1994 now has Chrome Saddles instead of Brass.
TL52-70 New Model mid 1994
Body Light Weight Ash
Neck Fotoflame finish
Pickups TL Vintage
Colours Old White Blonde or Natural
Note this is another model with Chrome saddles
New Model TL52-200BB
This appears in the custom section of the 1993 catalogue the BB indicating a B Bender
Body Light Weight Ash
Pickups USA made tele vintage
Bridge 3 section Brass B Bender type
Colours Vintage Natural, Old White Blonde or Brown Sunburst
1996 all change again the models are in the 1996 catalogue:
TL52-80TX TL52-75 TL52-70 TL52-80SPL, The TL52-75 and 70 are the same as previous years and have gone by the 1997 catalogue
which has a new TL52-65 not the same as previous TL52-65
So the 3 new models up to 1997 are the following specs:
| TL52-80TX | TL52-65 | TL52-80SPL | |
| Body | Light Weight Ash | Light Weight Ash | White Ash |
| Pickups | USA made Tele Texas Specials | TL Vin | 1 TL Vintage and 1 Dragster Humbucker |
| Colours | Vintage Natural | Vintage Natural or Old White Blonde | Old White Blonde |
Note the 65 has Chrome saddles and as previously the SPL has 6 section Bridge with Brass Saddles
There are no changes in 1998 but in 1999 we lose the TL52-65 and gain a TL52-70US
TL52-70US
Body Sen
Pickups 2 USA made Tele Vintage
Colours Vintage Natural or US Blonde
Again this is a model with Chrome Saddles
2000, 2001 and 2002 saw no changes at all
In 2003 there is a new model the TL52-110BTX, which is a Bigsby Model
Body Ash
Pickups are 2 USA made Texas Specials
Colours Vintage Natural or US Blonde
Bridge 6 Saddles Chrome Bigsby Vibrato
2004 to 2006 saw no changes and in 2007 there was a small price rise resulting in redesignating all models so we now have
TL52-88TX, TL52 118BTX, TL52-78US and The TL52-88SPL
2008 saw yet another change in the way models are designated. The numbers designating the list price have been dropped, shame
they ever used them causing so much confusion. The models are now:
TL52TX TL52BTX TL52US and TL52SPL with no change of specs
Another revamp we have 4 models now:
The new vintage special range has a TL52-VSP
The Vintage Premium Range has the 58-TX
The Vintage range has a TL52
The Craft Premium Range has the TL52-SPL
Specifications now
| TL52-VSP | TL52-TX | TL52 | TL52-SPL | |
| Body | 2 Piece Ash | Ash | Ash | Ash |
| Pickups | 2 MIJ Custom Alnico Tele | 2 USA Made Texas Special Tele | 2 MIJ Tele vintage | 1 MIJ Vintage Tele 1 Dragster Humbucker at the neck |
| Colours | Vintage Natural | Old White Blonde or Vintage Natural | Old White Blonde or Vintage Natural | Old White Blonde or Vintage Natural |
The VSP and The TX have the traditional 3 brass saddles, the 52 has 3 Chrome saddles the SPL as always has the 6 piece chrome.
Prices in the 2010 catalogue VSP 133350 yen, TX 99750 52 87150 Yen SPL 99750 Yen
2013 is the newest catalogue I have access to and as at 2013 there are no changes
Some DMC (DiMarzio Collection) guitars have been released from time to time haven't seen any TL52DMCs in catalogues but I know
the following exist all DMC guitars feature CTS pots
TL52-110DMC This guitar existed in 2005/6 CIJ
Body 2 piece American Ash Lacquer Finish
Pickups: Dimarzio passive single coil DCT-1 Tele set
Colour at least Vintage Natural
V Profile Neck
It continued in 2008 as the TL52-120DMC not sure how long for.
TL52-DMC/VSP
This guitar existed around 2008 to 2010 specs are as the 110DMC above
The vintage style guitars from around 2014 to 2019 were marketed as the Japan Traditional range.
The relevant guitar was the Traditional 50s Telecaster.
Details:
Body Basswood
Neck U shaped
Pickups MIJ Vintage style Tele
Colours Black, Vintage Natural, US Blonde or Sunburst
In 2019 Fender Japan launched a range of "Limited Edition" Guitars this range included a 52 Telecaster
Here's the blurb
Modelled after the original Telecaster introduced in 1951 by Leo Fender, this guitar features an ash body
and a 1952 U-shaped maple neck. Tone is provided by a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘50s Tele pickups, and tuning stability
is courtesy of a Strings-Through vintage bridge that features brass barrel saddles.
Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish available in Butterscotch Blonde or White Blonde.
Though not really a 52 I thought I should cover it so I have done it on a separate page here:
Hybrid Telecaster
Some 52s are custom order models JJLC from the Telecaster forum has provided some information his thoughts are here
Custom Order
The Extrad range tries to faithfully replicate the original vintage guitars. They are rare in the west and as such are regarded as collectors
items and when offered for sale are offered at pretty high prices. If it is an Extrad it should have Extrad written on the back of the headstock
or by the serial number. However TCGakki whilst not clear suggest that some early models don't have Extrad written on. Some came with a Certificate
I would be inclined to the view that if it doesn't say Extrad or have a Certificate it isn't one.
Some people find an EX mark in the neck pocket this does not mean it's an Extrad it indicates an Export guitar
Extrad Guitars included the following models launched in the years stated
1986 TL52-120
1989 TL52
1992 TL52-117
1993 TL52-135
The Extrads don't seem to have been in constant production but came and went. In the main these were 2 piece Ash bodies with Nitro finish on
the body and neck. They have USA made vintage pickups and are as close as you will get to a 52 Telecaster. How expensive they were can be seen
from the model numbers. Many of them maybe all had serial numbers of just 4 digits see the certificate below.
From time to time Japanese guitars feature in Western catalogues they don't always say they are Japanese guitars but you can tell
Some examples of 52s
in the 1994 catalogue there is a model described as 50s Telecaster
Body Basswood all features are exactly as the lower end TL52s of the time except it has a white pickguard. That same catalogue
has other MIJ teles including a Paisley 2 Thinlines and 2 Customs.A 1995 catalogue which I think is produced in England features them
all under a section headed collectibles.
This continues into the 1996 listing where for the only time I have seen a Japanese telecaster is called a Reissue
This is the model I own interesting the number of colours it came in
Blonde, Black, 3 Tone Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Shell Pink or Sonic Blue, the Left handed model Blonde only.
At the same time the 1996 Under reissue in the Fender Frontline there is an MIJ 50s Telecaster with all the same specs except
a white pickguard.
Strangely the 50s Telecaster MIJ appears in the 1997 Frontline but pictured with a black pickguard on a blonde guitar
with all the same colour options as before so maybe the white pickguard is only on some colours
By 1999 the 50s Telecaster in the frontline was one made in Mexico.
