1996 Fender MIJ TN-72 Telecaster Thinline 50th Anniversary - Natural | Vintage Japan Reissue Semi-Hollow Ash Body Wide-Range Humbucker Pickups 2.98kg | Case

I’m offering a Fender MIJ TN-72 Telecaster Thinline MN Natural from 1996, a built by FujiGen in Japan Telecaster Reissue Thinline model as a 50th anniversary edition, featuring a super-light semi-hollow ash body (2.98kg total weight!), bolt-on maple neck with comfortable “C” neck profile and 42mm bone nut, classic maple fingerboard with black dot inlays and 7.25’’ radius, two versatile Fender Wide-Range humbuckers, high-quality Gotoh Kluson-style vintage nickel tuners, as well as 6-piece string-through-body Tele bridge in a brilliant natural high-gloss finish with shiny chrome hardware and pearloid pickguard in very good collector’s condition, including black GEWA hardshell case and professional setup with 10-gauge Ernie Ball strings.

This Fender TN-72 Thinline Telecaster, manufactured in Japan in 1996 as a 50th Anniversary Edition, is a faithful reissue of the 1972 Fender Thinline Telecaster, with which Fender broke new ground in the early '70s by introducing a semi-hollow ash body featuring an F-hole combined with two Wide Range humbucker pickups. Among the period-accurate details are the oversized pearloid pickguard and chrome-plated knurled pot knobs, as well as the vintage 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and the six-piece hardtail vintage Tele bridge with block-shaped steel saddles.

The characteristic airy, woody tone of the semi-hollow construction pairs perfectly with the two wide-range humbucker pickups, complementing the assertive, hot dual-coil qualities with added warmth and depth in the sound. The guitar is extremely versatile, boasts plenty of twang, and covers everything from percussive, singing clean tones to dirty, distorted rock sounds—all while remaining clearly articulated.

A sound sample of this model (from 1997 only) can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

In terms of playability, a slim “C” neck profile, combined with the guitar’s light weight of just 2.98kg, ensures an extremely comfortable and easy-to-handle playing experience. The six-piece hardtail bridge, paired with Gotoh Kluson-style vintage tuners, ensures precise intonation and reliable tuning stability.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: FujiGen; Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
• Year of Manufacture: 1996 (50th Anniversary Edition)
• Body: Ash, semi-hollow
• Neck: Maple, bolt-on
• Neck Profile: “C”
• Fingerboard: Maple with black dot inlays
• Fingerboard radius: 7.25"
• Frets: 21
• Nut: 42mm, bone
• Pickups: 2x original Fender Wide-Range humbuckers
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 1x volume and 1x tone control
• Tuners: Gotoh Kluson-style vintage nickel tuners
• Bridge: 6-piece string-through-body vintage Tele bridge with steel saddles
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickguard: Pearloid, 2-ply
• Finish: Natural, high-gloss
• Scale length: 648 mm
• Weight: 2.98 kg
• Serial No.: V016779
• Includes black GEWA hardshell case

The Japanese Fender TN-72 Thinline Telecaster models are among the early reissue models and feature outstanding build quality—in fact, they often have a reputation for being better than contemporary Fender guitars from the U.S. The fact that this one dates from the anniversary year makes it even more interesting to collectors.

This guitar is in very good, unmodified collector’s condition and is technically flawless (see photos). Visually it shows only occasional age-related fine wear, which blends authentically into the instrument’s naturally aged vintage patina (see photos). The frets are nearly flawless.

The instrument has been professionally set up with 10-46 Ernie Ball strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €29.99 within Germany or for €69.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping is available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All photos shown are of the actual instrument for sale.