1962 Fender Telecaster - Blonde w/ Brazilian Slab-board

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1962 Fender Telecaster—a beautifully preserved example in factory blonde over ash, offering the twang, clarity, and soulful character that make early Teles so coveted by collectors and players alike.

This 1962 example is among the last pre-CBS Fenders to feature the highly desirable slab Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. After 1962, Fender switched to a thin veneer rosewood board, which, while visually similar, lacked the warmth, depth, and complex bass response of the slab 'board—making this example a particularly special snapshot of the era.

This Telecaster’s ash body retains its factory blonde nitrocellulose finish, which has aged gracefully to a warm tone that beautifully highlights the grain of the wood. Its lightweight (7lbs 3oz) frame resonates freely, with subtle checking and gentle play-wear that speak to its history without diminishing its collector appeal.

The maple neck features a comfortable medium C-profile with a 1.65" nut. It has been expertly refretted with vintage-style wire (.078" × .04"), closely matching the original 1962 dimensions for authentic feel and smooth playability.

All hardware and, perhaps most importantly, electronics remain largely untouched. The pickups are completely unaltered from 1962, retaining their original magnets, hand-wound coils, and covers. Measuring 6.21kΩ at the bridge and 7.17kΩ at the neck, the pair delivers the classic bright-yet-warm Tele twang that translates so deftly across genres and eras. The factory cloth-bound wiring is still set to the original Tele circuitry, preserving tonal authenticity. The volume pot is dated to the first week of 1961, and the tone pot to the fiftieth week of 1961, suggesting the volume pot may have been replaced. This is further evidenced by the solder on the volume pot, which has been heated as one would when replacing. 

Structurally, this instrument is sound, with no cracks, breaks, or repairs. It plays effortlessly, with low action and smooth response across the neck—offering the kind of vintage tone, character, and feel that collectors and discerning players prize.

This 1962 Fender Telecaster represents an exceptional opportunity for the serious Fender collector or player seeking a historically significant, player-ready vintage instrument with both tonal and aesthetic authenticity. The tone on this guitar is nothing short of spectular and would provide an excellent tool for live or recorded performance.

Get your Steve Cropper on with this terrific '62 slab-board Telecaster!

Specifications

Model & Year

• Model: Telecaster
• Year of manufacture: 1962
• Serial Number: 72516

Body

• Material: Ash
• Finish: Blonde (factory original)
• Weight: 7lbs 3oz
• Body Date- 2/62

Neck

• Material & Construction: Maple with slab Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; 4-bolt
• Profile shape: Medium C
• Neck depth: .85" (1st fret) | .98" (12th fret)
• Nut width: 1.65"
• Neck Date: 1/62
• Inlays: Clay dots
• Frets: Refretted with vintage-style wire (.078" × .04"); light divoting
• Headstock: Thin script "spaghetti" decal
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe in-line single-line

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: Original ashtray-style string-through with threaded steel barrel saddles; original ashtray bridge cover included
• Pickguard: Original white, single-ply, 8-hole plastic
• Knobs: Original chrome-plated, flat-top, knurled
• Strap buttons: Original

Electronics

• Pickups: Original magnets, winds, covers, and leads; no repairs or modifications
• Bridge: 6.21k Ω
• Neck: 7.17k Ω
• Pots & caps: CTS pot codes date to first week of 1961 (Volume) and the  fiftieth week of 1961 (tone). We feel the volume pot was replaced with a period correct one
• Wiring: Original cloth-bound, factory circuitry
• Switch: 3-way
• Controls: Volume, Tone

Condition: Excellent minus

• Cosmetic: Excellent cosmetic condition with gentle play-wear and checking consistent with vintage
• Structural: No cracks, breaks, or repairs
• Set-up: Plays smoothly with low action and no dead spots

Case & Accessories

• Case type: Original brown Tolex hardshell
• Provenance / Extras: Original ashtray bridge cover