'72 Telecaster Custom Review

The '72 Tele Custom gets a kick-in-the-pants with the addition of a single humbucker in the neck position for those fat warm tones. To achieve the classic styling the '72 Custom is adorned with bullet truss rod and silver-tipped, skirted amp knobs.

Features:	9.5
Sound:	9
Action:	9.3
Reliability:	9.3
Impression:	9.8
Overall rating:	9.4
Users rating:	7.9
Comments:	35

overall: 9.2

Featured review by: unregistered, on august 09, 2006

Price paid: $ 549

Purchased from: Ebay

Features: Mine is a Mex, lovely maple neck which has gone a nice shade of yellow since I've had it (4/5 years now), Tobacco sunburst Alder body which has also aged really nicely- the colours really show well. I think everything else has been covered. It didn't come with anything, though I got a hardcase at the same time for obvious reasons. // 10

Sound: This is one of the most versatile guitars I've played. The bridge single coil can really squeal if you want it to, switching to the humbucker gives a really deep rich tone, then you can get virtually anything in between using the blend position. I've used this for everything from DC Hardcore through to jazz and it has a damn good go at all of them. I very rarely run it with any effects, just straight into my amp on clean though I do like a good thick ethereal reverb. The neck is lovely to play and you really feel every resonance running through it, just makes me want to use it more and more. My only fault is the poor wiring inside (as is the case with a good many manufacturers) making the instrument noisy out of the box (though no more than any other tele I’ve played). I have since shielded it completely inside, ditched the chrome pup cover (quieter without it and looks cooler) fitted a (switchable) pre amp to the bridge pickup (gives it a little more warmth when it's needed, plenty of space inside for active electronics too) and added the option of series pickups, though I don't usually bother with this, it's mainly just to Drive wah pedals a bit harder. Since shielding it, I have recorded with it many times, often exclusively- there’s nothing like the sound of two of them playing against each other across the channels. Personally I'd rate it 10 for sound, the pickups sound fantastic but I understand not everyone wants to pull their instrument apart to shield it so I knocked a couple off. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: It took me a while to get the action just right on this. I play with flat wound strings, so the heavier gauge meant I had to do a full setup anyway, but the action was unnecessarily high when I got it. The neck bow (truss) and pickups were fine though. The Vintage type saddles are a bit annoying, running two strings across one means it can be a real fiddle to get the intonation just right and the grub screws to adjust the saddle height can be pretty vicious, I've cut my hand on more than one occasion. I have thought about fitting modern saddles but to be honest it isn’t that big a deal. Despite the little problems, the guitar really is worth your time to get right, when it's spot on, it virtually plays itself and holds it's tuning very well. Again, I'd give it 10 for the end result but it looses a mark for all the time I've spent on it. // 9

Reliability & Durability: The pickup selector has died on me since I had it, it is one of the odd ones with long Switch plates and the solder connectors out to the side, I didn't fancy paying the premium for one so I used a rotary Tool to sand enough of the body away to fit a standard vertical type. The cavity is still covered by the scratch plate so I don't know why they don't use these from the start as they are much cheaper. Other than that, there isn't too much to go wrong really. Mine has taken a number of hits, the 'e' tuner has been bashed around again and again, it is bent but still works fine. As for playing wear, I've played it every day since I've had it, very little damage and what there is would have damaged any guitar (e.g. I kicked a coffee mug off the desk and naturally, the corner of the mug landed right on the edge of the guitar, going right down to the wood). Once you’re over the first ding, the rest don't seem so bad and if you want to keep it perfect, don't gig it. // 9

Impression: I like to keep my guitar collection to a minimum as I prefer to play them all as much as possible. I know as soon as I've found a keeper and this is most definitely one of those. As to whether I'd buy it again, yes, assuming the replacement plays as well, looking at other reviews it seems the QC is generally very good as I haven't seen many bad words said. // 10

overall: 9.4

Reviewed by: Micstand, on july 31, 2006

Purchased from: The Music Room

Features: My '72 custom reissue was made in japan between 2002-2004. It has 21 Vintage sized frets on a D shaped maple neck with one piece maple fretboard. It has an Ash body with a US blonde finish which you can see the lovely grain of the wood through. It has a 3 saddle strung through Telecaster bridge, all chrome hardware of course. It has passive electronics with a Fender Wide Range humbucker at the neck and a Standard Telecaster single coil at the bridge, with 2 volume and tone controls and a three way pickup selector. The tuners are non-locking Gotoh machine heads, not much else to say about those really. I didn't get anything with my Tele but I got such a fantastic deal on it that I didn't mind at all. It's a great sounding, great playing instrument although I'd liek to have it set up to the Fender spec as I find that the action is slightly high for my liking, but it's a beautiful instrument. I think it looks fantastic but it took me a little while to grow to like the blonde finish as at first glance I thought it looked like a weak coat of whitewash. // 10

Sound: I play a mixture of jazz, blues, heavy rock and most things in between really, I play alot at school and in a couple of bands so versatility is a must have in any guitar I'd buy. I'm using my tele through a Snarling Dogs wonder wah 2, a Boss DS-1 Distortion and a Boss ch-1 super chorus, but I plan to extend my pedal collection in the near future This all goes into my Behringer GMX 212 60 watt stereo amplifier which has different amp simulators and stuff, rather too hi-tech for me. The tele isn't noisy at all really, and with the neck humbucker it's possible to get some lovely sounds for any style. I predominantly use the humbucker when I want a smooth, full and fat tone for playing jazz etc, but then I can Switch into both pickups for a punchy, ballsy blues tone or add more distortion for a very full, round sounding distortion. I rarely use the bridge single coil as it is so damn punchy I'm not quite sure what to do with it, it's perfect for your jangly 60's beach boys or beatles tone though; it's just a fantastic guitar. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I think that the guitar could have been a little better set up at the factory: the action is a little high for my likings and the intonation is a little flat from the 7th fret onwards, minor faults I know but time consuming none the less. The pickups are adjusted just fine and they have a nice high output on every string, no dead spots to my ears anyway. I've had no problems with the bridge at all to date, it's properly anchored and no buzzes or anything, lovely job. The only flaws on this guitar are a small dink on the top fce of the fretboard and a couple of marks on the headstock that came from it being hung up in the shop, these are merely superficial and so don't really worry me. Overall, tis a fine beast. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I've gigged with this guitar twice and it's been fine, no problems. I may change the tuners to G&L style locking tuners purely because I like them, but for now these tuners are fantastic, no problems with tuning or anything like that. I took the original strap buttons off and replaced them with strap locks, and it still mystifies me why locking strap buttons aren't fitted as standard in the factory, I would never trust any guitar without strap locks, no matter how solid the original buttons feel. I am too poor to afford a backup guitar so yes, I would trust my tele without a backup for the simple reason that I do not have a backup with which to backup the tele. The finish seems pretty solid although I hope that it'll wear off with a few years' gigging, as I love that "worn to the wood" look that Mr. Rory Gallagher showed so well. // 10

Impression: As I've said, I play various styles of music and I find that it's perfect for each one, obviously I wouldn't use it to play metal but that's another story. I've been playing for 3 years now and I feel that a japanese Fender was the way to go as I don't have the playing experience to deserve a US Fender, but I felt that I wanted a better sound than the Vintage SG that I had before. I'd like to have this guitar set up properly, that is the only quibble I have with it. If my tele were stolen, I would buy another one definitely, but I'd like to get one in sunburst, but maybe I'm just being picky. I love the versatility of this guitar and the great warm tone you get off the humbucker. I played a few other guitars on the way to choosing this, namely a G&L Legacy Telecaster, and assorted epiphones. // 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: J6strings21fret, on june 27, 2006

Price paid: $ 700

Purchased from: Musiciandfriend.com

Features: I just bought this guitar and all I have to say is wow! I was really blown away buy this guitar because not only does it have a great sound and playablity. This is the cheapest guitar I own and it plays better than most of my other ones. The only thing I recommend is that you get a rosewood board for a warmer sound or, that may be just my personal favorite. // 10

Sound: I use a Boss ME-50 effects pedal. I mostly play punk/ska and tend to stay in the Gibson guitar field but wow. I can simply emmulate almost any song I played with my Gibson perfectly. The Rosewood Board gives it a nice warm sound. Even with my ok MG50 it still sounds great but with my stack, forget about it! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I always get my guitars set-up first before I really play them. With some polish, new strings and minor neck adjustments at the shop this guitar was a trophy. I actually got some wall clips and hung all my guitars up and the '72 looked great. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I cant really tell you much on reliability since I got it but I'd bet this guitar and gear was meant to last. I just changed the knobs cause the knobs it came with are wierd and are like 4 inches high. Cost about like 10 dollars. I would use this guitar on stage with my band anytime. I would bring a backup though because I would never take a chance and say if lightning hit it (I hope not) I would have no guitar. // 10

Impression: Like I said I play punk and this guitar deffinetly fits the bill. I can really play this all day without touching my Classic Custom Telecaster. If someone was to steal this guitar from me, I would get Chuck Norris to hunt them down and beat them then I would just buy another one. This guitar is my heaven. I love everything about this guitar except the knobs which I changed ($10.00). // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on june 14, 2005

Price paid: $ 1096.17

Purchased from: Bonners

Features: It was made in 2003 in Mexico. It has 21 fat frets and has a maple neck and has got a laminated top. The bridge obviously is a Tele one and there is a 3-way selector Switch for the humbucker and the pickup. The pickups are standard Fender ones. The shop gave me a gig bag with the guitar. The finish does chip quite easily. // 8

Sound: It doesn't really suit my style of music which is punk and metal with a bit of weezer added in. It would be a good guitar if you were in a Rolling Stones tribute band. I play it with a Boss Turbo Distortion and a Marshall Valvestate 60w amp. It's a Tele so has quite a bright and tinny sound. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up fine and everything with the guitar was absolutely perfect. There were no flaws at all. It is perfect in this area. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is a Fender and is pretty tough and I would gig without a backup, it's pretty reliable and the strap would not fall off. // 8

Impression: This is a nice guitar but it doesn't suit my style. I've been playing for three years and I might try and sell it. If it were stolen I'd claim the insurance money and buy an SG. I hate this guitar but I cannot fault it in terms of set up etc. // 10

Comments

[Supadude]

Telecaster 72 is one the hottest models!!
SG, Tele '72 is the hottest!

[MAXWELLMURDER]

ill buy it!

[Homer F.]

Why do you buy a guitar if you hate it?

[red hott 56]

LOOKS TIIIIIGHT

[HmTownHero1007]

i like the sunburst model. it looks pretty sexy

[louis p]

Why did you pay 1096.17 for a guitar you hate?

Fuking retard.

[J6strings21fret]

Wow the guy on top is a retard...

[The Wanton]

he's just another ignorant prick that thinks he knows what he's talking about

[Dan The Poet]

ksagjhs,fhsdkbf I WANT IT

[b.b-king_19]

Who the **** buys a guitar they hate

[Dudage]

The unregistered retard on the top gave the guitar he hates a 10... redundant if you ask me.

[curtis loew]

i think the rater is contradictory to himself. does anybody know whats wrong with ug? i cant go to the forums

[edwardthegreat5]

curtis loew wrote:

i think the rater is contradictory to himself. does anybody know whats wrong with ug? i cant go to the forums

I think the message is clear if you log out and view the forums. The servers crashed or something and everything went crazy, people spammed the pit communicating by thread titles, so they closed the forums so nobody made any new threads.

[havocrus]

Bonners comes up as a UK music store, pricing in pounds. Bonners 60th anniversary Mex strat is 449.00 pounds= about $900.00 according to the exchange rate. The exact same guitar is at Musicians Friend for $499.00 Thank God I'm an American. So this guy paid about $2200.00 for a Mexican Tele. Poor Bloke! Sweet ax though.

[Mahogany_x]

from what i hear about it it sounds pretty cool overall, but it seems like it could improve more, but i see what your saying, it probably would sound good in a stones tribute band

[curtis loew]

curtis loew wrote:

i think the rater is contradictory to himself. does anybody know whats wrong with ug? i cant go to the forums

I think the message is clear if you log out and view the forums. The servers crashed or something and everything went crazy, people spammed the pit communicating by thread titles, so they closed the forums so nobody made any new threads.

it wont let me log out

[Morellolover]

This tele has a 3 way switch which is cool, if you for instance like Tom Morello. Many of his songs with Audioslave and Rage contains effects while using the switch. For a while I have thinking about buying this guitar because of the sound and the switch.
But I was wondering if any of you know if its possible to make these Morello sounds with the switch?

[chomieMan59]

the guy on top knows what hes talking about. That guitar is good, but doesnt give him the sound he needs. you guys are ****in retarded

Checked.

And chill out with the reviewer flaming.

[Micstand]

to morellolover. tom morello uses the pickup selector as a kill switch, he turns down the volume of one pickup so that when he flicks the switch, there is no output, but when he flicks the switch back to the pickup that is turned up, there is an output. as far as i'm concerned it's possible, but then tom morello is absolutely amazing so i can't get anything like the sounds he can, but in theory it should work

[KC_Volcom]

The only thing no one's mentioned is the fret wear. My tele custom is perhaps 2-4 years old, and already the fretboard is showing signs of wear from the strings. I would probably also prefer a six saddled bridge, for a finer action and intonation. Otherwise, this guitar is a beast on speed, and I love the shape and look of the guitar. The contrast between the classic tinnyness (is that a word?!) of the bridge pickup and the fat sweet sound of the wide range humbucker is immense. I might do a review for this guitar. If any of you would like to hear my guitar in a recording with my band, please contact me via UG.

[KC_Volcom]

Woops, I posted twice. Am i losing my mind?!

[KC_Volcom]

tele's suck my ass and my testicles, they look like a peice of crap, they are terrible

Tele's look ****ing amazing mate, they're probably the best looking guitars out there, they were one of the first solid bodies to be produced under the esquire model, which was a bit different.
What's a good guitar in your opinion then?

[gav007]

I used to have a real one of these babies 74 sunburst awesome axe (hocked it for 500 Aus 10 years ago,what a dickhead I am)Anyway bought my MEX 72 after years of regret and was pleasanty surprised. It's now my main gig guitar(I have a US tele, a Jap tele, this Mex 72 tele and Chinese squire Tele- The yank sounds the best, the Jap plays the best and the Mex looks the best.(The squire u can work out for yourself!). Anyway one minor mod. for the 72 I would recommend is replace the bridge to a six saddle big help in setup particularly in conjunction with tilt neck. I stuffed the switch doing that Morello stuff. I play everything from metal to blues and this axe is the best, even get some LP sounds out the neck pickup. Looks good, sounds good still miss my 74 though.

[E V H 5150]

I played my neighbor's '72, but it was an original. The wood and finish were ruined, the pickguard had some breaks in it, and some of the knobs didn't turn. also, the pickups were very badly worn, and I felt like I was playing a fretless guitar. But the pickups still worked, and it still sounded pretty sweet, despite it's horrible condition, and being 30-something years old. Oh, and when you play metal, it might be best to avoid Fenders unless you plan to upgrade. As far as I know, single coils don't get the same punch as humbuckers. Tele's are one of the best out there. Look at a Les Paul, then at a Tele. Les Paul= Over-glorified Telecaster knockoff.

[Kid Fisto]

I would bring a backup though because I would never take a chance and say if lightning hit it (I hope not) I would have no guitar.

LOL y are u playing in a thunderstorm?

[rhcp-legends]

would it not make more sense for the humbucker to be at the bridge and the single coil at the neck?

[Kevin Saale]

The sound of a fender single coil in the bridge is kind of classic. Not to mention it gives more versatility since a single coil in the neck is somewhat like a humbucker, especially if you blend it with the single coil bridge

[Guitar-DUDE-23]

yo i bought 1 4 xmas 2007 n its amazin its the sound i always wanted!!! IT IS THE BEST!!!!!

[ich-komme]

Well, with respect to the guy who bought it and hates it, at least the review isn't biased against it. He's actually aseesed the guitar on it's setup, which obviously is pretty good, and not docked points purely because it doesn't suit his style. Good man!

[rambo666777]

IS THIS GUITAR GOOD FOR PUNK ROCK? IS IT GOOD FOR PLAYING MUSIC MADE BY BANDS SUCH AS PARAMORE, GREEN DAY? ETC?

[reid03]

i got that tele this year its siick

[mikerev]

rambo666777 wrote:

IS THIS GUITAR GOOD FOR PUNK ROCK? IS IT GOOD FOR PLAYING MUSIC MADE BY BANDS SUCH AS PARAMORE, GREEN DAY? ETC?

yes it is. The guitarist from paramore uses this very guitar my friend

[goo94]

rhcp-legends wrote:

would it not make more sense for the humbucker to be at the bridge and the single coil at the neck?

i THINK its due to the original standard teles traditionally having the single at the bridge. i think its to separate it from strats, cos they put their singles at the neck; and the so its still the whole tele thing, just + a humbucker. i like to pretend to know what im talking about lol

if i do get it'll be after many years of saving lol, but i want it bad lol, looks lush

[tenack]

Looks like a kurt cobain thing Lol I love it .my next guitar here we coome