1997 Fender Telecaster TL52-80TX
Limited Edition USB (US Blonde) Transparent White Finish
Premium Ash Body! & USA Made Texas Special Pickups!
Crafted in Japan
Serial: A012953
Nut Width: 1.65"
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0.86"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 0.96"
Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz's
Comes in a Gig Bag
Check Out the Demo Video!
$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings, Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!
🌟 ALL NIGHT TWANG ALERT! 🌟
1997-1999 Fender TL-52-80TX “US Blonde” Limited Edition Finish – Blondes have more fun… especially when they’re plugged into a Deluxe Reverb. - Gentlemen prefer blondes… but tone chasers marry them.
Picture this: a swamp-ash Tele body so resonant it practically hums unplugged, drenched in that ultra-rare, glass-like transparent white finish that lets the grain come through like Santa on Christmas morning. This ain’t your average reissue – this is peak late-90s Fender Japan wizardry, the legendary TL52-80TX model that smokes most American Vintage Reissues from the same era… and everybody knows it.
Neck? Pure maple muscle. Chunky, Oval profile carved from one flawless piece of hard-rock maple that feels like it was born to rattle stages and flatten snakes. Fresh pro setup with whisper-thin action, perfectly leveled and crowned vintage frets that glide like butter – this thing plays itself.
Sound – Some like it hot… this blonde comes with Texas Specials. 🔥🔥🔥
Plug this TL52-80TX in and it hits you like a West Texas dust storm: razor-sharp, bell-like twang on the bridge that can cut through any mix like a hot knife through butter. Open E and A chords ring out with that classic ice-pick clarity and harmonic bloom that only a great ash-bodied Tele can deliver. Position 2 (both pickups) gives you that perfect “secret sauce” quack—glassy, vocal, and dripping with chicken-pickin’ attitude. Roll over to the neck pickup and it gets fat, round, and surprisingly warm for a Tele—think early Roy Buchanan or late-’50s Don Rich tones with just a hint of woolly sweetness.
Because it’s loaded with genuine USA-made Fender Texas Special pickups (the exact same overwound, Alnico V magnets sets that Fender was dropping into all SRV & Custom Shop models back then), you get that extra midrange snarl and output that made the Texas Specials famous. They’re hotter than vintage-spec but still keep all the spank and dynamics. Dig in hard and it growls and barks like an angry coyote; play soft with fingers and it cleans up to pure country gold. Crank an overdriven tube amp and these pickups push into thick, Texas-sized blues-rock territory without ever losing definition. It’s twang with attitude—perfect for everything from Buck Owens to Brad Paisley to Billy Gibbons. Unplugged, the ash body is insanely resonant—strum it in a quiet room and you’ll swear you hear the wood singing back at you for seconds after the note fades.
Condition: Excellent for its age with one ding on the lower back edge by the input jack (where no one ever looks, see pics),
Fresh pro setup with 9-42 strings, low action (no buzz even when you dig in), and perfectly dressed vintage-tall frets that feel polished like glass. Bends are effortless all the way to the 21st fret, and the 7.25” radius + vintage frets give it that classic “hug your fingers” feel that makes slide work and big cowboy chords feel natural. It’s fast when you want speed, but still has that forgiving, chunky personality that makes you want to sit on the porch and play all night. - She’s the blonde your mother warned you about… because you’ll never put her down
Bottom line: This isn’t just a collector’s piece that sits in the case looking pretty—this is a player’s Tele on steroids. It twangs harder, rings longer, and plays easier than 95% of the Teles you’ll ever pick up. Once it’s in your hands, good luck putting it down. Don’t sleep on this one. When these limited transparent white TL52-80TX models surface, they vanish FAST. Grab the best-playing, best-looking Japanese Tele you’ll ever own… before someone else puts a fire in their boots with YOUR guitar! 🔥🎸
This late 1990's Fender Japan TL52-80TX Telecaster is a '52 reissue model with a premium ash body & US-made Texas Special pickups.
Full Specifications
Body: Ash (often light-weight or selected ash)
Neck: One-piece Maple, bolt-on, oval shape (C or U shape, consistent with vintage 50s style)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Maple
Radius: 7.25" (184 mm) vintage radius
Frets: 21 vintage-style frets
Nut Width: 1.625" (approx. 41.3 mm) or 42mm
Pickups:
Bridge: Fender Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil Tele pickup (USA)
Neck: Fender Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil Tele pickup (USA)
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching: 3-position blade pickup selector
Bridge: Vintage-style 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge with brass saddles
Hardware: Chrome
Tuners: Gotoh vintage-style Kluson tuners
Pickguard: 1-ply black phenolic
Finish: US Blonde (Transparent White), showcasing the ash grain
Other details: Domed control knobs and flat-head screws used throughout for vintage accuracy
This guitar is professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing or dead spots and is an absolute joy to play. It has been deep cleaned and detailed. All guitars will arrive looking and playing great. The frets have been leveled / dressed / polished and the fingerboard was cleaned. (Unfinished Rosewood and Ebony boards get treated with Fret Doctor - a proprietary all natural oil that is the best on the market) It has brand new strings, the action was adjusted, the intonation is spot on and it plays excellent. All the electronics work flawlessly.
**** We stand behind every guitar we sell and have consistently delivered quality that beats most people expectations, earning us a reputation for quality that is unrivaled. Simply put “good enough” is not good enough for The Guitar Dude’s standards. We try and make every guitar be at its absolute BEST to deliver on our promise. We take great pride in what we do and we are always trying our best.
* Neck is perfectly straight and the truss rod works with no issues
* Intonation is spot-on
* It has been professionally set up with nice low action & new American made strings.
* If needed, the frets will be dressed leveled & crowned, but no matter what they come looking and shining like new with no divots.
* All frets are polished prior to shipping when they are set up - They will shine like new!
***Please note that international shipping prices listed are minimum quotes in some cases. Certain countries are more expensive and will require additional shipping costs. Express services such as UPS, DHL & FedEx are also available, Please contact me for a personalized quote.
About Us
The Guitar Dude is a THREE time NAMM Top 100 Dealer in the world who has been selling some of the best guitars on the planet since 2009. Known for the most Killer Flame Top Gibson 1959 Les Pauls Reissues and classic Fender guitars of all eras. I make beautiful guitar porn, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.
Often copied & imitated, but never duplicated.
Like what you see? Let me go to work for you.
I offer the best consignment sales on the planet! Find me online, just look for The Guitar Dude
For in-hand description, to propose a consignment sale or anything else please contact us
I offer a super relaxed layaway plan on certain guitars, that can be custom built to fit your budget and needs. It can be extended beyond 45 days in certain situations. If you are interested in a layaway plan, please contact me for full details.
Terms For Returns & Re-Stocking Fee’s
We recognize and accept a 7 day return policy as per Reverb guidelines, BUT intentions of the return must be communicated in writing within 3 day of receiving the guitar as indicated by the tracking. Unless the guitar is not as described, ORIGINAL & RETURN SHIPPING COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. There is a 10% Re-stocking fee for ALL guitars that are returned for ANY reason outside of damage from shipping or it arrives significantly not as described. Please note that we record demo videos to make sure our guitars go out exactly as we describe them with zero issues. We understand that feeling comfortable is vital to the purchase of a guitar/bass so in any case, additional measurements or in hand descriptions are available prior to purchase/shipping. Thats said, guitars travel a great distance some times and in transit things can happen. Also guitars acclimate to new environments and this can cause a need for a new set up or minor adjustment. It is acceptable and normal if there is for instance a tiny bit of buzzing or the need to adjust a truss rod. We are in south Florida and if you are in a colder or less humid environment it is almost to be expected. Please read our feedback and see what our customers say. The guitar MUST BE RETURNED IN THE EXACT CONDITION it was advertised/received or it is subject to additional costs & or repair fees. We are not a big chain shop, I hope you understand. If you are uncomfortable with these terms please do not purchase. There are plenty big chain shops that can absorb free trials and shipping.
Payment - Shipping - International orders - Import Duties
ALL ITEMS CAN BE SHIPPED INTERNATIONALLY. - BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL IMPORT DUTIES.
I accept many forms of payment including PayPal Credit & Affirm. I always pack extremely well and ship within the USA via UPS or Fedex, all packages are fully insured with tracking & signature confirmation.
1997 Fender Telecaster TL52-80TX
Limited Edition USB (US Blonde) Transparent White Finish
Premium Ash Body! & USA Made Texas Special Pickups!
Crafted in Japan
Serial: A012953
Nut Width: 1.65"
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0.86"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 0.96"
Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz's
Comes in a Gig Bag
Check Out the Demo Video!
$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings, Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!
🌟 ALL NIGHT TWANG ALERT! 🌟
1997-1999 Fender TL-52-80TX “US Blonde” Limited Edition Finish – Blondes have more fun… especially when they’re plugged into a Deluxe Reverb. - Gentlemen prefer blondes… but tone chasers marry them.
Picture this: a swamp-ash Tele body so resonant it practically hums unplugged, drenched in that ultra-rare, glass-like transparent white finish that lets the grain come through like Santa on Christmas morning. This ain’t your average reissue – this is peak late-90s Fender Japan wizardry, the legendary TL52-80TX model that smokes most American Vintage Reissues from the same era… and everybody knows it.
Neck? Pure maple muscle. Chunky, Oval profile carved from one flawless piece of hard-rock maple that feels like it was born to rattle stages and flatten snakes. Fresh pro setup with whisper-thin action, perfectly leveled and crowned vintage frets that glide like butter – this thing plays itself.
Sound – Some like it hot… this blonde comes with Texas Specials. 🔥🔥🔥
Plug this TL52-80TX in and it hits you like a West Texas dust storm: razor-sharp, bell-like twang on the bridge that can cut through any mix like a hot knife through butter. Open E and A chords ring out with that classic ice-pick clarity and harmonic bloom that only a great ash-bodied Tele can deliver. Position 2 (both pickups) gives you that perfect “secret sauce” quack—glassy, vocal, and dripping with chicken-pickin’ attitude. Roll over to the neck pickup and it gets fat, round, and surprisingly warm for a Tele—think early Roy Buchanan or late-’50s Don Rich tones with just a hint of woolly sweetness.
Because it’s loaded with genuine USA-made Fender Texas Special pickups (the exact same overwound, Alnico V magnets sets that Fender was dropping into all SRV & Custom Shop models back then), you get that extra midrange snarl and output that made the Texas Specials famous. They’re hotter than vintage-spec but still keep all the spank and dynamics. Dig in hard and it growls and barks like an angry coyote; play soft with fingers and it cleans up to pure country gold. Crank an overdriven tube amp and these pickups push into thick, Texas-sized blues-rock territory without ever losing definition. It’s twang with attitude—perfect for everything from Buck Owens to Brad Paisley to Billy Gibbons. Unplugged, the ash body is insanely resonant—strum it in a quiet room and you’ll swear you hear the wood singing back at you for seconds after the note fades.
Condition: Excellent for its age with one ding on the lower back edge by the input jack (where no one ever looks, see pics),
Fresh pro setup with 9-42 strings, low action (no buzz even when you dig in), and perfectly dressed vintage-tall frets that feel polished like glass. Bends are effortless all the way to the 21st fret, and the 7.25” radius + vintage frets give it that classic “hug your fingers” feel that makes slide work and big cowboy chords feel natural. It’s fast when you want speed, but still has that forgiving, chunky personality that makes you want to sit on the porch and play all night. - She’s the blonde your mother warned you about… because you’ll never put her down
Bottom line: This isn’t just a collector’s piece that sits in the case looking pretty—this is a player’s Tele on steroids. It twangs harder, rings longer, and plays easier than 95% of the Teles you’ll ever pick up. Once it’s in your hands, good luck putting it down. Don’t sleep on this one. When these limited transparent white TL52-80TX models surface, they vanish FAST. Grab the best-playing, best-looking Japanese Tele you’ll ever own… before someone else puts a fire in their boots with YOUR guitar! 🔥🎸
This late 1990's Fender Japan TL52-80TX Telecaster is a '52 reissue model with a premium ash body & US-made Texas Special pickups.
Full Specifications
Body: Ash (often light-weight or selected ash)
Neck: One-piece Maple, bolt-on, oval shape (C or U shape, consistent with vintage 50s style)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Maple
Radius: 7.25" (184 mm) vintage radius
Frets: 21 vintage-style frets
Nut Width: 1.625" (approx. 41.3 mm) or 42mm
Pickups:
Bridge: Fender Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil Tele pickup (USA)
Neck: Fender Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil Tele pickup (USA)
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching: 3-position blade pickup selector
Bridge: Vintage-style 3-saddle strings-through-body bridge with brass saddles
Hardware: Chrome
Tuners: Gotoh vintage-style Kluson tuners
Pickguard: 1-ply black phenolic
Finish: US Blonde (Transparent White), showcasing the ash grain
Other details: Domed control knobs and flat-head screws used throughout for vintage accuracy
This guitar is professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing or dead spots and is an absolute joy to play. It has been deep cleaned and detailed. All guitars will arrive looking and playing great. The frets have been leveled / dressed / polished and the fingerboard was cleaned. (Unfinished Rosewood and Ebony boards get treated with Fret Doctor - a proprietary all natural oil that is the best on the market) It has brand new strings, the action was adjusted, the intonation is spot on and it plays excellent. All the electronics work flawlessly.
**** We stand behind every guitar we sell and have consistently delivered quality that beats most people expectations, earning us a reputation for quality that is unrivaled. Simply put “good enough” is not good enough for The Guitar Dude’s standards. We try and make every guitar be at its absolute BEST to deliver on our promise. We take great pride in what we do and we are always trying our best.
* Neck is perfectly straight and the truss rod works with no issues
* Intonation is spot-on
* It has been professionally set up with nice low action & new American made strings.
* If needed, the frets will be dressed leveled & crowned, but no matter what they come looking and shining like new with no divots.
* All frets are polished prior to shipping when they are set up - They will shine like new!
***Please note that international shipping prices listed are minimum quotes in some cases. Certain countries are more expensive and will require additional shipping costs. Express services such as UPS, DHL & FedEx are also available, Please contact me for a personalized quote.
About Us
The Guitar Dude is a THREE time NAMM Top 100 Dealer in the world who has been selling some of the best guitars on the planet since 2009. Known for the most Killer Flame Top Gibson 1959 Les Pauls Reissues and classic Fender guitars of all eras. I make beautiful guitar porn, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.
Often copied & imitated, but never duplicated.
Like what you see? Let me go to work for you.
I offer the best consignment sales on the planet! Find me online, just look for The Guitar Dude
For in-hand description, to propose a consignment sale or anything else please contact us
I offer a super relaxed layaway plan on certain guitars, that can be custom built to fit your budget and needs. It can be extended beyond 45 days in certain situations. If you are interested in a layaway plan, please contact me for full details.
Terms For Returns & Re-Stocking Fee’s
We recognize and accept a 7 day return policy as per Reverb guidelines, BUT intentions of the return must be communicated in writing within 3 day of receiving the guitar as indicated by the tracking. Unless the guitar is not as described, ORIGINAL & RETURN SHIPPING COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. There is a 10% Re-stocking fee for ALL guitars that are returned for ANY reason outside of damage from shipping or it arrives significantly not as described. Please note that we record demo videos to make sure our guitars go out exactly as we describe them with zero issues. We understand that feeling comfortable is vital to the purchase of a guitar/bass so in any case, additional measurements or in hand descriptions are available prior to purchase/shipping. Thats said, guitars travel a great distance some times and in transit things can happen. Also guitars acclimate to new environments and this can cause a need for a new set up or minor adjustment. It is acceptable and normal if there is for instance a tiny bit of buzzing or the need to adjust a truss rod. We are in south Florida and if you are in a colder or less humid environment it is almost to be expected. Please read our feedback and see what our customers say. The guitar MUST BE RETURNED IN THE EXACT CONDITION it was advertised/received or it is subject to additional costs & or repair fees. We are not a big chain shop, I hope you understand. If you are uncomfortable with these terms please do not purchase. There are plenty big chain shops that can absorb free trials and shipping.
Payment - Shipping - International orders - Import Duties
ALL ITEMS CAN BE SHIPPED INTERNATIONALLY. - BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL IMPORT DUTIES.
I accept many forms of payment including PayPal Credit & Affirm. I always pack extremely well and ship within the USA via UPS or Fedex, all packages are fully insured with tracking & signature confirmation.
Image 1 of 20
Image 2 of 20
Image 3 of 20
Image 4 of 20
Image 5 of 20
Image 6 of 20
Image 7 of 20
Image 8 of 20
Image 9 of 20
Image 10 of 20
Image 11 of 20
Image 12 of 20
Image 13 of 20
Image 14 of 20
Image 15 of 20
Image 16 of 20
Image 17 of 20
Image 18 of 20
Image 19 of 20
Image 20 of 20