The 2023 Fender Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde combines classic early-Telecaster styling with the precision and consistency associated with Fender’s Japanese production.

Its basswood body, “U” shape maple neck, maple fingerboard, vintage-style single-coil pickups and 3-saddle string-through-body bridge deliver the direct attack, clarity and unmistakable Telecaster character that work across country, blues, rock, indie, pop and studio sessions.

This pre-owned example is presented in Excellent Condition, showing only very light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and very well presented. Serial number JD23021088. A Danelectro hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Fender
Model	Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster
Year	2023
Finish	Butterscotch Blonde
Fingerboard	Maple
Condition	Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition
Serial Number	JD23021088
Included	Danelectro Hardcase
Main Appeal	Japanese-built vintage-style Telecaster with classic '50s looks
Best For	Country, blues, rock, indie, pop, studio and live performance

Condition Overview

Excellent Condition

This Fender Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster is presented in Excellent Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Excellent Condition means the guitar shows only very light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and particularly well presented.

What’s Included?

✔ Fender Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster
✔ Danelectro Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

The guitar displays only very light cosmetic signs of previous ownership consistent with its Excellent condition grading.

No faults, repairs or modifications are recorded.

Serial Number: JD23021088

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Fender Telecaster has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck pickup tested
• Bridge pickup tested
• 3-way selector checked
• Master volume tested
• Master tone control checked
• Output jack tested
• Neck condition assessed
• Maple fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Vintage-style tuners assessed
• 3-saddle bridge inspected
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed
• Danelectro hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge setup
• Hardware
• General playability

Wooden instruments can respond naturally to changes in temperature and humidity during transportation, so minor setup adjustment may occasionally be desirable.

What Makes The Fender MIJ Traditional II '50s Telecaster Special?

The Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster captures the stripped-back appeal of an early Telecaster with its Butterscotch Blonde finish, maple fingerboard, black single-ply pickguard and traditional 3-saddle bridge. The vintage styling is combined with a 9.5" fingerboard radius, giving players a slightly more accommodating surface for bends and modern lead work.

Fender’s Made in Japan instruments have developed an excellent reputation for precise construction and consistent finishing. This Excellent Condition example is particularly attractive for players wanting classic Tele looks and straightforward SS electronics in a carefully built Japanese Fender.

Key Features & Benefits

Vintage-Style Telecaster Pickups

Two vintage-style single-coil pickups provide the essential Telecaster contrast: bright, cutting bridge tones for country, rock and rhythm playing, with a warmer neck pickup for blues, cleaner passages and smoother lead sounds.

“U” Shape Maple Neck

The maple neck uses Fender’s “U” profile, giving the fretting hand a comfortable amount of support while retaining the substantial feel associated with traditional Fender designs.

9.5" Maple Fingerboard

The 9.5" radius is flatter than many strict vintage Fender specifications, helping make string bending and general lead playing more comfortable without losing the familiar feel of a traditional Telecaster.

3-Saddle Brass Bridge

The string-through-body bridge uses three brass barrel saddles, maintaining the simple mechanical design and classic appearance closely associated with early Telecasters.

Butterscotch Blonde Finish

Butterscotch Blonde with a black pickguard and maple fingerboard is one of the most recognisable Telecaster combinations, giving this Japanese model an unmistakable early-Fender visual identity.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender MIJ Traditional II '50s Telecaster vs Fender Player II Telecaster

The Player II offers a more contemporary Mexican-made Telecaster specification, while the MIJ Traditional II focuses more strongly on classic styling, traditional bridge hardware and a vintage-inspired neck feel. The Japanese model is particularly appealing to players who prioritise traditional looks and Made in Japan construction.

Fender MIJ Traditional II '50s Telecaster vs Fender Vintera II '50s Telecaster

The Vintera II range places greater emphasis on recreating period-specific specifications. The MIJ Traditional II retains a strong '50s appearance while using a 9.5" radius, making it a little more forgiving for players who want vintage character without an entirely period-correct playing surface.

Fender MIJ Traditional II '50s Telecaster vs Fender American Vintage II Telecaster

The American Vintage II range occupies a higher price bracket and concentrates on detailed USA-made historical recreation. The Japanese Traditional II offers a more accessible route to classic Tele styling with highly regarded Japanese manufacture and practical everyday playability.

Who Is It For?

Traditional Telecaster players – Ideal for guitarists who value simple controls, direct response and classic Fender styling.

Country players – The bridge pickup provides the snap, clarity and definition strongly associated with traditional Telecaster country tones.

Blues guitarists – The warmer neck pickup works particularly well with clean and lightly overdriven amplifiers.

Rock and indie players – Telecasters respond exceptionally well to overdrive, fuzz and pedal-based rigs while retaining note definition.

Studio musicians – Two clearly contrasting pickups and simple controls make it easy to find useful sounds quickly within a recording session.

Players seeking a Japanese Fender – A strong choice for guitarists who specifically value the reputation of Fender’s Made in Japan instruments.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Country
• Blues
• Classic rock
• Rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Pop
• Funk
• Soul
• Americana
• Punk
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Clean rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Pedal-based rigs

Why Choose A '50s-Style Telecaster?

The original Telecaster formula remains effective because of its simplicity. Two pickups, one volume control, one tone control and a three-way selector provide a surprisingly broad range of sounds without unnecessary switching or electronics.

A '50s-style model adds some of Fender’s most recognisable visual details, particularly the maple fingerboard, black pickguard and Butterscotch Blonde finish. The bridge pickup delivers the direct attack for which Telecasters are famous, while the neck position provides a noticeably warmer alternative.

The MIJ Traditional II interpretation keeps those characteristics while using a 9.5" fingerboard radius, making it easier to adapt to modern playing techniques than some strict vintage recreations.

Story & Context

Fender’s Made in Japan instruments have been an important part of the company’s history since the early 1980s.

Japanese Fender production quickly developed a strong reputation for consistent workmanship, accurate styling and models that often offered specifications unavailable elsewhere in Fender’s range.

The Traditional series continues that philosophy by combining recognisable Fender designs with carefully chosen vintage-inspired features and subtle concessions to contemporary players.

Serial number JD23021088 identifies this example as a 2023 Made in Japan Fender, placing it firmly within the modern generation of Japanese Traditional instruments.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Series	Made in Japan Traditional II
Model	'50s Telecaster
Year	2023
Serial Number	JD23021088
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Finish	Butterscotch Blonde
Body Shape	Telecaster
Body Material	Basswood
Body Finish	Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	“U” Shape
Neck Finish	Gloss Urethane
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648mm
Number of Frets	21
Fret Size	Vintage-Style
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.615" / 41.02mm
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele
Bridge Pickup	Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	3-Position Blade
Bridge	3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele
Saddles	Brass Barrel
Tuning Machines	Vintage-Style
Pickguard	1-Ply Black
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Included	Danelectro Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The two single-coil pickups and traditional Telecaster electronics are completely passive and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde is an excellent choice for players who want the unmistakable look and direct response of a traditional Telecaster with the strong reputation of Japanese Fender production.

Its maple fingerboard, vintage-style pickups and brass-saddle bridge deliver plenty of classic Tele character, while the 9.5" radius keeps the playing experience practical for contemporary guitarists.

Presented in Excellent Condition and supplied with a Danelectro hardcase, this is a particularly appealing pre-owned Japanese Telecaster for stage, studio or home use.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying pre-owned can provide excellent value while giving players access to individual instruments, finishes and specifications that may be harder to find through normal new stock.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale so its condition and included items are clearly represented.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying and selling new and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Fender and pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing gear could be worth towards this Fender Made in Japan Traditional II '50s Telecaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was this Fender Telecaster made?

Serial number JD23021088 identifies the guitar as a 2023 Made in Japan Fender.

Is the fingerboard maple?

Yes. This '50s-inspired model uses a maple fingerboard with black dot position markers.

What pickups are fitted?

It uses two Vintage-Style Single-Coil Telecaster pickups with conventional three-way switching.

What does the bridge pickup sound like?

The bridge pickup provides the bright attack, strong definition and characteristic Telecaster bite that works particularly well for country, rock, indie and rhythm guitar.

What does the neck pickup sound like?

The neck pickup is warmer and smoother than the bridge position, making it well suited to blues, cleaner rhythm parts and rounded lead sounds.

What is the neck profile like?

The guitar uses a “U” shape maple neck, giving it a substantial traditional feel without being excessively large.

What fingerboard radius does it use?

It has a 9.5" radius, offering a slightly flatter and more forgiving playing surface than many strict vintage-style Fender necks.

What type of bridge is fitted?

It uses a 3-saddle vintage-style string-through-body Telecaster bridge with brass barrel saddles.

Is Butterscotch Blonde historically associated with the Telecaster?

Yes. Butterscotch Blonde with a black pickguard and maple fingerboard is one of the most iconic visual combinations associated with early Fender Telecasters.

Is this suitable for more than country music?

Absolutely. Telecasters are widely used for blues, rock, punk, indie, pop, funk, alternative music and studio work as well as country.

Does the guitar require a battery?

No. Its pickups and electronics are completely passive.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. This example includes a Danelectro hardcase.

Is the Danelectro hardcase the original Fender case?

No claim of original Fender case specification is made. The guitar is supplied with the Danelectro hardcase currently accompanying the instrument.

Is this suitable for professional live use?

Yes. The straightforward electronics, fixed bridge and versatile pickup combination make the Telecaster an exceptionally practical stage and studio guitar.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the Butterscotch Blonde finish and individual condition of this guitar in greater detail.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.