Fender Telecaster Natural All Original With Original Strap 1981

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This 1981 Fender Telecaster in natural finish is a beautifully preserved, 100% original example from the early ’80s—an era now prized for its craftsmanship and classic tones. Built in Fullerton, California, this Tele features an ash body, maple neck, and original single-coil pickups that deliver the unmistakable twang, bite, and clarity that define Fender’s most enduring design.

This is a light one for the era at just 7 pounds, 7.5 ounces.

The guitar is one of many that bear a serial number that starts with S8, something that most people would indicate the guitar is a 1978.  Many online sources state that the S8 serial number guitars are from 1977 and '78.  What we know from experience is that many S8 numbered Fender guitars are from 1979, 1980 - and this one is actually from 1981.

In order to truly date these (and really all Fender guitars) is to look under the hood.  Fender never took much care in following exact model year beginnings and ends, and they definitely didn't serial number their guitars in order.  The only way to truly know what year a Fender guitar should be dated at is to check all the features, the serial number, the neck date, a body date, the potentiometer date codes, and pickup dates.  The latest date code or feature is the earliest the guitar could have left Fender, and thus sets the year of the guitar.  What makes this more confusing is the fact that some of these means of dating the guitars aren't present in some years. Furthermore, changed parts with later dates can throw you off, so it pays to know how to see changed solder joints or other signs that parts have been swapped. 

This guitar was pretty easy to date.  There is a Fender sticker in the neck pocket from April of 1981.  Also, the pot codes are from the 5th week of 1981.  

The guitar is all original and includes the original bridge cover and strap.  It is in near mint condition with signs that it has been carefully played.  The frets show light wear.  There are no changes, repairs, issues, or finish alterations.  A recent, tweed case is included.

The natural finish highlights the wood grain perfectly, while the black pickguard and chrome hardware create a timeless aesthetic. The neck feels smooth and fast, with a comfortable late-’70s-style medium profile and glossy finish.  Tonally, it has the crisp, articulate response that makes a Telecaster so versatile—perfect for country, rock, funk, and blues. 

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every instrument is professionally inspected, photographed, and set up to play its best. We buy, sell, and accept trades on vintage and modern Fender guitars. 

Check out these other collections of vintage instruments, amps, and effects on our site:

• Fender Guitars
• Fender Amplifiers
• Two Rock Amps
• Vintage and Used Effects Pedals

Specs:

• Color: Natural
• Weight: 7lbs 7.5oz
  
• Body: Ash
  
• Body Date/Code: See Pics
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Date/Code: See Pics
• Fretboard: Maple
  
• Inlays: Black Dot
  
• Frets: Original 
  
• Fret Count: 21
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-5/8"
  
• Radius: 7.25"
  
• Scale: 25.5"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .86"
• Neck thickness at 12st Fret: .95"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Overall Length: 38-3/8"
  
• Lower bout: 13"
  
• Waist: 9-1/4"
  
• Upper bout: 11-1/8"
  
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-3/4"
  
• String gauge: 10-46
  
• Hardware Color: Chrome
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: Fender Single Coil Tele Bridge
• Pickup Reading: 6.28k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: Fender Single Coil Tele Neck
• Pickup Reading: 7.25k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: Tweed HSC
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.