1967 Fender Telecaster with "Smuggler" Routs

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1967 Fender Telecaster with “Smuggler” routs.

According to legend, Fender purchased a large quantity of particularly heavy ash in 1967 and began routing additional pockets beneath the pickguard in an effort to bring the overall weight down. These routs were never marketed as a special feature, but by the early '70s players had begun discovering the extra cavities—and finding other uses for these handy hidden spaces. The nickname “Smuggler Tele” eventually stuck and this early approach to weight relief would later evolve into the Thinline Telecaster.

This particular example has all the right late-'60s appointments, including a transition logo, maple-cap neck, ash body, blonde lacquer finish, and F-stamped tuners. There is overspray across the top along with play-wear throughout, giving the guitar a great player-vintage look rather than something overly precious. Structurally, it's excellent with no cracks, breaks, or repairs.

The electronics are largely original, with the original pots, wiring, and switch still intact. The Telecaster single-coils have seen some attention over the years, with the bridge pickup repotted and the neck pickup rewound. These changes are reflected in the guitar's condition, but don't detract from what is ultimately a great-sounding, great-playing vintage Tele.

This is a particularly vibey example with a fascinating bit of Fender history hiding underneath the pickguard. The combination of Smuggler routs, blonde ash construction, maple cap, honest play-wear, and a little overspray gives it plenty of personality. It looks the part, sounds the part, and plays like a vintage Tele should.

This Telecaster is accompanied by its original hardshell case.

Specifications

All components original

Model & Year

• Model: Fender Telecaster
• Year of manufacture: 1968
• Serial Number: 108284

Body

• Material: Ash
• Finish: Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer with overspray
• Weight: 7lbs 12oz

Neck

• Material & Construction: Maple, bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Maple cap
• Profile shape: Medium C
• Radius: 7.25"
• Nut Width: 1.58
• Depth: .83" (1st), .92" (12th)
• Inlays: Black dots
• Frets: Original
• Tuners: F-stamped

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: Ashtray
• Pickguard: 3-ply plastic
• Knobs: Classic Tele style

Electronics

• Pickups: Telecaster single-coils (bridge repotted, neck rewound)
• Potentiometers: Original
• Wiring: Original
• Switch: Original

Condition: Excellent

• Cosmetic: Good with overspray and play-wear throughout
• Structural: Excellent with no cracks, breaks, or repairs
• Accessories: Original hardshell case