Playing this guitar for the first time was quite an experience because I could instantly see where a lot of rock and country history developed from. The 52 Tele almost forces the player to start having a go at clippy rhythm work; it's SO easy to do it with this neck and pickup combination. The weight of the guitar is great, not too heavy, nowhere near a Les Paul, and it's superbly made. I had zero difficulty with the allegedly tricky neck profile and string bending is easy despite what some reviewers claim. The pickups are REALLY good. The bridge pickup is sweet but still like a microscope. Every touch on the strings is revealed and I LIKE that! The bridge pickup is totally useful and the mid position is amazing. The volume and tone pots work nicely and allow easy swells. The guitar came on a hot day and was in perfect tune and intonation. I played it for 2 days and it was STILL spot on. The 3 saddle bridge is very very stable. It also provides amazing sustain. Hit a harmonic and it just won't stop!
I love this thing and it's for life. Go get one, it's a total bargain.

Phil_W owns this item

The American Vintage '52 Telecaster is a truly fantastic instrument. The design is classic with a great U-shaped neck that really feels great to play. The tone is so smooth and this guitar goes so well with the Fender Excelsior I bought a year ago.
The only thing I am not so satisfied is the finish. It took two days playing with a black t-shirt and new black jeans to give this guitar a light shade of black in the finish. Impossible to get rid of, but at least I have started to relic my guitar by myself and the right way, by playing it.
The price tag is pretty high in Sweden where I live, but hey, I wanted a good guitar and I guess that will cost a bit... but this guitar will outlive me and probably be inherited by my son...

Sune Andersson owns this item

I played Fender Stratocasters for 25 years, a friend of mine had a JV Telecaster and i remembered it as a great guitar.
I thought it was time to own a tele as well, so i bought a japanese telecaster.
Nice guitar but nothing special. Until i visited my local guitar shop and there she stood...i fell in love instantly.
The owner warned me, said this is something special, you'll notice the neck is a thing of its own, either you love it or you hate it.
I played it all afternoon and never let go of the instrument ever since then and it is twelve years ago now.
Got a 63 custom Telecaster as well but that is a very different animal, great in it's own way but not the beast the 52 is.
It is like the great Albert Lee said; it is raw and unforgiving, but it gives you so much pleasure and tone.
Thank you Mr Leo.

Sir John owns this item

You should never look at the past, except for Fender Vintage guitars. This '52 Tele is just a wonder. I love that 7"25 radius. And the sound is so amazing. When I bought her, I called a friend and he asked me, "Does she sound good ?" I answered him, "I don't know yet, I'm just watching her." I was just falling in love. And when she began to talk, I knew she was the one I was waiting for. I think I'll take her with me in my grave - to keep on playing in Hell...

Badfinger owns this item

I finally bought this guitar and have to say i am not disappointed. Got myself one of the 1st 46 2012 models. The U shaps maple neck is like silk to play. With beautiful rolled edges and flatter finger board 7.25 i think. The fnish is stunning and a bit more yellower than my 60th Ltd Ed Tele. The G&G case and extras complete the package.If you have thought about getting one of these and have hesitated in the past, take my advice get one asap they are truly stunning.

ukraider owns this item

Although this is not my go-to guitar, it is my favorite in terms of playability for rhythm and signature tone. I mostly leave it in open G and it really likes it! The neck isn't for shredders but it is for me. You need to try it.

Kikosdad owns this item

Beautiful, well built, great tone.

4253 owns this item

This is the best playing guitar that I've ever owned. I've been playing guitar over 50 years and with this guitar I can play any style and the sound is amazing. I just wish I purchased this sooner.

musicrat owns this item

I've learned a lot from catching the Tele-fever back in 2007 and since I've spent an outrageous amount of money building and buying a lot of guitars, messing with pick-ups and trying my hand at winding them too.

I have a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Triburst Flame Maple, whew! My American Deluxe Telecaster is completely upgraded by Patrick Meade from Patsguitars.com, in my opinion the best Luthier out there, and I have come Full-Circle!

It is my opinion that this is the Best Production Guitar the Fender Makes, Period.

Here are the only tweaks:

• Add a 22 frets scale boat neck.
• Compound Radius.
• Create an Ashtray that covers the pick-up only, yes like an old Precision Bass.
o Allowing for string muffling.


The ambient sound you get with the ashtray one is Real Kids!!!!!

Try-it. Clean setting, you’ll see.

Sergioantoniox owns this item

The 52 is simply the best Telecaster you can get. The feel, shape and tone are everything you can imagine and it plays like butter.
Forget the rest, buy the best

countrydave owns this item

There's a tele for every taste and price point, but for my money, this is the one - it looks and sounds fantastic! I usually swap out PUPs, but not on this one, the vintage tones are perfect. I get a great warm jazz sound from the neck PUP, and the bridge PUP twangs like it's supposed to! I grew up with the flatter radius necks, so the older style radius took a little getting used to, but apart from that, it's perfect. If I had to get rid of all but one guitar, this is the one I'd keep. Highly reccomended!

This guitar is perfect. I own it since 2011 and still love it.

FastvintageFucker owns this item

Let the strap out so the guitar hangs low, change to open G tuning, and start banging out the chords to Brown Sugar. Perhaps no other guitar lets you live out your music dreams like a 52 Tele. I got mine a few years ago and immediately changed to the modern wiring... so much more versatile. Straight out of the case, the heavy finish on the back of the neck makes playing a chore... but once it wears down a little the fat neck just feels right. No guitar collection would be complete without one of these classic instruments.

surgeon00 owns this item

I love fender vintage 52 tele

This has for the longest time been one of the most authentic guitars Fender makes. Down to the screws they got it right. Fenders done right make you work a bit for the tone, and this one is no different. Sure you can plug and play and get great tone. But if you want to go to tone Utopia, spend some time noodling with this one a bit. Its well worth it. You can get jazzy to bluesy to creamy rock on the neck, or bite the audience on the head with the tone from the bridge. Plug into a Screamer or Zen Drive, and into a Twin and your right there!

Every Fender player needs a 52 RI!

dannopelli owns this item

This is the best regular production guitar Fender makes! The craftsmanship on this guitar is excellent and it plays like a dream. I am amazed at the sounds I can pull out of this guitar. Awesome guitar!

captain eyeball owns this item

I bought her 20 years ago.
I played and I loved her.
Then I had to sell her, because I did not know where to store.
I regret today.

Bought mine in Atlanta a few years back - plays like a dream, fit so tightly and sounds as jangle-y as I want and can tear the roof off at the same time. I knew I was gonna buy it just noodling at the store before I even plugged it in... that kind of well built electric.

qwinks owns this item

Great Guitar. Quick neck, great tone and beautiful workmanship. I would sleep with her if my wife would let me.

BRTOAD owns this item

There's not much you can say about a Tele that's not already been said - it does what it does, and nothing else does it the same. While I mainly play Strats, a Tele is a big part of my arsenal particularly for the work I do with country bands. My AVRI '52 is hands down the best Tele - and one of the best guitars - I've ever played. To be honest, I don't really think you can get a better Tele - it's a basic instrument, no need for fancy woods or bells and whistles, and the '52 is just beautifully put together, sounds exactly like a Tele should sound and I love it! It even smells nice! One of my favourites.

jakehadlee owns this item