Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,993

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Introducing the Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar, a timeless beauty that fuses classic design and modern playability. Loved by musicians from country twangers to indie rockers, this semi-hollow guitar delivers a unique warmth and rounded tone that sets it apart in the revered Telecaster lineup.

Reviving the sophistication of its 60s predecessor, this modern rendition of the Telecaster Thinline boasts a well-crafted semi-hollow body that enhances sound resonance, producing a tone that's as elegant as its appearance. Whether you're strumming soft melodies or shredding powerful riffs, this guitar is guaranteed to deliver clear, rich sound.

The guitar is equipped with Tim Shaw designed 60s Telecaster Thinline pickups, creating an authentic late sixties vibe in every note. Its 21 Vintage Tall frets and a comfortable 9.5" radius offer improved playability, ideal for both beginners and seasoned players.

The Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar is not just about sound; it's also a treat for the eyes. It features original-era body radii, vintage-style hardware, F logo tuners, and a lacquer finish that lets the wood breathe naturally, adding a unique touch to its aesthetic appeal.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollow body for enhanced sound resonance
  • Tim Shaw designed 60s Telecaster Thinline pickups
  • 21 Vintage Tall frets and a comfortable 9.5" radius for improved playability
  • Original-era body radii and vintage-style hardware
  • F logo tuners and a lacquer finish that lets the wood breathe naturally
  • Vintage-style hardshell case included
  • Authentic late sixties Tele tones

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Telecaster Thinline
Finish Antigua, Black, Blonde, Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, Natural, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Sunburst, Walnut (Mocha), Wine
Year 1972 - 1978
Made In United States
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Tan, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple
Model Family Fender Telecaster
Model Sub-Family Fender Telecaster Thinline
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What type of music is the Fender Telecaster Thinline best suited for?

The Fender Telecaster Thinline is versatile across genres but is particularly favored for rock, country, and blues due to its semi-hollow body, which provides a warm, resonant tone with a distinctive twang.

How does the semi-hollow body of the Telecaster Thinline affect its sound?

The semi-hollow body design of the Telecaster Thinline adds warmth and resonance to its tone, offering a richer sound with more sustain compared to solid-body models, while still retaining the classic Telecaster brightness.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Telecaster Thinline?

The Fender Telecaster Thinline typically features a comfortable "C" shaped maple neck, which is smooth and easy to play, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

Are the pickups on the Fender Telecaster Thinline suitable for high-gain music styles?

The Fender Telecaster Thinline is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, which provide a thicker, fuller sound that can handle moderate gain well, but it might not be ideal for extremely high-gain styles like heavy metal.

Is the Fender Telecaster Thinline a good choice for beginners?

Yes, the Fender Telecaster Thinline is a good choice for beginners due to its comfortable playability, lightweight design, and versatile sound, making it easy for new players to explore different music styles.

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Fender Vintera 70s Telecaster Thinline, Vintage Blonde | Gear4music demo

Video thumbnail for Fender Vintera 70s Telecaster Thinline, Vintage Blonde | Gear4music demo by Gear4music Guitars

Fender Vintera 70s Telecaster Thinline, Vintage Blonde | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Thinline Demo - All Playing, No Talking by Musician's Friend

Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Thinline Demo - All Playing, No Talking

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Reviews

PROS

  • Beautiful sunburst finish exceeds expectations from pictures and videos

  • Lightweight at 6.2 pounds, comfortable for long playing sessions

  • Acoustically loud due to semi-hollow design

  • Wide Range Humbuckers with CuNiFe magnets provide versatile tone

  • Neck allows for notes to ring out clearly and sing

  • Perfect balance between single coil and humbucker tones

  • Ideal for both practice and live performances

  • High-quality sound regardless of amplifier used

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend swapping Squier Classic Vibe pickups with Fender CuNiFe for improved tone.

    Source
  • Some users have replaced saddles to significantly alter their guitar's sound, suggesting this as a potential mod for tonal improvement.

    Source
  • Some players note the scarcity of pre-wired kits for Thinline Teles, suggesting soldering skills are beneficial for electronic upgrades.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users report issues with Squier Thinline's f-hole, describing it as "sloppy."

    Source

User experience

  • MIM 72 Thinline from early 2010s praised for feel and finish comparable to American models.

    Source
  • Players often mention the Thinline's lighter weight as a significant advantage, especially for those with back issues.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the Thinline Tele's balance, with the semi-hollow body contributing to a more comfortable feel during extended play sessions.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Used MIM models realistically valued between $650-700; prices above $850 considered high.

    Source
  • Japanese Thinline Teles are specifically highlighted for their quality, suggesting they may be a preferred choice in the used market.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The American Vintage II '72 Thinline is favored for its authentic CuNiFe humbuckers providing vintage tone.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the Thinline for late-night unplugged playing, citing a subtle difference in acoustic tone compared to solidbody Telecasters.

    Source
  • The Thinline Tele is favored for its clear and full sound, particularly with wide range humbuckers in the neck position, which some describe as the "perfect pickup."

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Thinline Telecaster is noted for easier feedback, crucial for certain playing styles, distinguishing it from solidbody models.

    Source

Other

  • The Thinline Telecaster is described as having a more open or less choked sound, especially noticeable in higher registers.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Thinline is preferred by some for its lightweight design, with some models as light as 5.5 lbs, making it notably lighter than many Stratocasters.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
martyn_gibson

Excellent Guitar

I bought this guitar second hand in 2014 for £420. That was an absolute bargain. I have never played a better guitar than it. Being a thinline it is very light weight, the neck is incredibly easy to play and the pickups are fantastic. I love humbucking pickups in a tele and this does not disappoint. The Fender Wide Ranging Humbuckers just add the the quality of this guitar.

amar
amar

263

My Primary

My favorite guitar to use, whether it's practicing, writing, or playing it live. Love the sound I get from it regardless of which amplifier I use. Huge fan.

tomlecomte

special

. .

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Pops Staples uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Pops Staples

Singer

The Staple Singers

...
Verified via Photo

Pops Staples is seen using a Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar, identifiable by its block inlays, in the user-uploaded photo available at the Masters of Traditional Arts website.

See how Hal Lindes uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Hal Lindes

Guitarist

Dire Straits

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Lindes' daughter can be seen with his Fender Telecaster Thinline.

See how Ian O'Neil uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Ian O'Neil

Guitarist

Deer Tick

...
Verified via reverb.com

In an interview on reverb.com, Ian O'Neil of Deer Tick shared that while touring Europe with Titus Andronicus, his Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar was stolen. This incident led to the band's label head gifting him a '70s Howard Roberts Gibson Fusion, which he deeply cherishes.

See how Tito Larriva uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Tito Larriva

Singer, Guitarist

Tito & Tarantula

...
Verified

Mentioned in the "Rockfile" on Cruzados (by Marie A. Cruz) featured in the May 1986 issue of Guitar for the Practicing Musician (specifically on page 35).

INSTRUMENTS: With the success of this album, I was able to purchase more guitars. Right now I have two '67 Telecasters, one of which is a Thinline model with an F-hole in it. Then I have two acoustic guitars, a Martin D35 and a nylon string. To me, an acoustic guitar is real important for songwriting because it gives you a real good idea if a holds up on its own. That's the final test.

See how Suzanne Santo uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Suzanne Santo

Singer, Guitarist

honeyhoney

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Sofar NYC performance video, Suzanne Santo plays a candy red Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar.

See how Stephen Patman uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Stephen Patman

Singer, Guitarist

Chapterhouse

...
Verified via Photo

In this GuitarGeek rig diagram, made by Adam Cooper, Stephen's rig includes a Fender Thinline Telecaster, in green finish. The guitar is heavily customised, with the original pickguard replaced by a metallic standard telecaster pickguard and it also has a Bigsby tremolo arm implemented in it.

H

Howard E. Scott

Guitarist, Music Producer

War

...
Verified via YouTube

In a 1970 performance of Eric Burdon & WAR on the German "Beat-Club" television program, Howard Scott is seen using a Fender Telecaster Thinline guitar. It can be clearly seen at 9 minutes and 3 seconds into the performance in a video uploaded by Naiko GGodji on YouTube titled "Eric Burdon & War Paint It Black Live, 1970 HD."

See how Motoki Omori uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Motoki Omori

Singer, Guitarist

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

...
Verified via YouTube

Motoki Omori is seen playing a Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar in a video titled "MGA LIVE IN SEOUL, KOREA" by 체리체리tv on YouTube.He was too simping and girly

See how Micah P. Hinson uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Micah P. Hinson

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Gettyimages

Micah P. Hinson is seen playing a Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar in a Getty Images photo.

J

James Frost

Guitarist

The Automatic

...
Verified via YouTube

The Automatic on Later with Jools Holland 2006

See how David McComb uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

David McComb

Singer, Guitarist

The Triffids

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 12:38, David McComb can be seen using a Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar.

See how Merchant Ships uses Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar

Merchant Ships

Singer, Guitarist

...
Unverified

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
norberto_rosemberg

norberto_rosemberg

Gear IQ 74

J

jeffrey_soble

Gear IQ 193

T

tanukii

Gear IQ 64

1 alternative for Fender Telecaster Thinline Electric Guitar, curated by the Equipboard community.

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