FENDER CABRONITA TELECASTER 2012 FSR Black Fidelitron PU MIM Tele +Bag 3487
One of a kind, hard to find Telecaster in very clean condition.
Note: Click on picture to open large gallery.
Description
This is a killer 2012 Fender Cabronita Telecaster in black. This guitar is in excellent playing and cosmetic condition. All stock except previous owner outfitted it with a chicken head knob and black pickguard. Looks great: one small edge mark (see pics), otherwise spotless. The Fidelitron humbuckers sound warm and full. The neck on this feels more chunky than a standard Tele to me. Comes with a gigbag. I do a full cleaning and setup on all guitars. (Details on my setups and packing at bottom of listing, along with more details on this model.) Weight is 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Thanks for looking.
Manufacturer Info
Alder body (ash on White Blonde model)
25.5" Scale, 9.5 radius
Modern C-shape maple neck
Maple fretboard
22 Medium jumbo frets
Fideli'Tron Humbucking Pickup (Bridge)
Fideli'Tron Humbucking Pickup (Neck)
3-Way pickup selector
Master volume
String-thru hardtail bridge with 6 cast saddles
Chrome hardware
Includes gig bag
Description
This is a killer 2012 Fender Cabronita Telecaster in black. This guitar is in excellent playing and cosmetic condition. All stock except previous owner outfitted it with a chicken head knob and black pickguard. Looks great: one small edge mark (see pics), otherwise spotless. The Fidelitron humbuckers sound warm and full. The neck on this feels more chunky than a standard Tele to me. Comes with a gigbag. I do a full cleaning and setup on all guitars. (Details on my setups and packing at bottom of listing, along with more details on this model.) Weight is 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Thanks for looking.
Manufacturer Info
Alder body (ash on White Blonde model)
25.5" Scale, 9.5 radius
Modern C-shape maple neck
Maple fretboard
22 Medium jumbo frets
Fideli'Tron Humbucking Pickup (Bridge)
Fideli'Tron Humbucking Pickup (Neck)
3-Way pickup selector
Master volume
String-thru hardtail bridge with 6 cast saddles
Chrome hardware
Includes gig bag
What You Get
-- Full setup, cleaning, and new strings.
-- FREE USA shipping.
-- 30-day return policy.
-- Ship within 1 business day--pro packing.
Guitar Setup
My setup on guitars includes new strings (9s or 10s depending on what the nut is cut for), overall polish, cleaning any gunk off fingerboard, oiling neck, and polishing frets when necessary. I spray out any pots that are noisy. I turn the truss rod (if necessary) and set string height at low-to-medium action depending on string buzz present. Since setup is highly subjective you may need to get it set to your particular needs by your personal luthier. I don't claim to be a trained luthier, but I'm able to set guitars/basses for a reasonable out-of-box experience and have had very few complaints. If you're looking for the perfect setup on a used guitar, please expect to take it to a trained luthier who is familiar with your individual playing style and preferences. ps: basses get the same setup minus the new strings. Thanks!
Packing
I use quality boxes, thick bubble wrap, and peanuts to pack guitars. I have a very high rate of successful guitar and bass shipping (meaning few damaged instruments). I have been doing this 10 years and know how to pack well--with or without a hard case. I wrote a detailed story with photos on how I pack a guitar, which you can find on my StillKickinMusic site blog. If you Google "THERE IN ONE PIECE...How to Pack a Guitar" you will find it. Thanks.
Wikipedia info on Cabronita
The Fender Cabronita Telecaster (or colloquially as Cabronita) is a class of guitars built by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation based on their Telecaster body shape. The name Cabronita is Spanish slang and roughly translates as little bastard or little devil. While retaining the shape and general feel of a Telecaster, they are a radical departure from the traditional electronics and sounds associated with the instrument. Like virtually all Telecaster submodels, they are labeled simply as a Fender Telecaster on the headstock logo, identifiable only by their features.
The original Custom Shop Cabronita was introduced in 2009 (Before there was a made-in-Mexico Classic Players Cabronita Telecaster, there was the 60th Anniversary Cabronita, which was made in California for one production year in 2011. It essentially uses the same design, with two TV Jones Filter'Tron humbuckers, an Alder body and Maple neck, albeit with a different finish. This model can be distinguished from the MIM Classic Players and Squier versions by the 60th Anniversary neck plate and "Made In The USA" headstock logo.) and called La Cabronita and was a made to order, Custom Shop built guitar. Custom Shop guitars are built in Fender's Corona, California factory. They represent Fender's highest quality, and fetch prices considerably higher than their standard OEM models. Most of the La Cabronitas had only a single guitar pickup with one volume and tone knobs. These could be ordered with one, two or three pickups as they were custom made instruments. All regular La Cabronita guitars used the TV Classic pickup by TV Jones. The idea was spawned by Mike Eldred, head of the Fender Custom Shop. The goal was to make very different than traditional Telecasters. As Eldred put it:
"Well, I've played a Tele for a good part of my life, and I wanted to make something that was kind of going against the grain of what a normal Tele would be like. I wanted something that was a bit more aggressive - the best way to describe it is when you have family gatherings, but then the asshole cousin will show up and kind of disrupt everything. And I wanted to make a guitar that had that kind of vibe to it: something that didn't really sit in the normal box, and challenged people who normally play Telecasters."
In 2011, Fender marketed what they called their "Tele-Bration" year (a portmanteau of Telecaster and Celebration). This was the 60th anniversary of the Telecaster design, which was the original design by Leo Fender and the world's first successful, mass-produced, bolt-on neck guitar. As part of this, the American made Cabronita was created. Like the Custom Shop versions, these used TV Jones TV Classic pickups, but in a limited color pallet, and always with two pickups. The tone knob was deleted and in its place was a three way switch. This switch was a simple toggle design rather than a blade design, which was unusual for a Telecaster. These models were only manufactured for a short period of time. They cost slightly more than a Fender American Standard guitar, but priced at a fraction of a Custom Shop version.
The following year, Fender began production of a less expensive Cabronita by shifting production to their Ensenada, Mexico factory and using their own Fidelitron pickups, under their Classic Series line of Telecasters. This pickup was similar in both look and design to the TV Jones pickup, sharing the same basic dimensions and mounting style. Although the tone was different, it still provided a high quality sound. Like the American version, the Mexican built (often informally abbreviated as MIM for Made in Mexico) had two pickups, a single volume control and a three way switch. At the same time, they also produced a Thinline version (semi-hollow) that was identical except for the body type. Most were built of alder, with the single exception of the white blonde models that used swamp ash, which allowed the grain to show through the translucent white finish. Unlike most imported Telecasters, it had 22 frets.
Around the same time, they began production of two Cabronita models under their less expensive Squier brand, which is a subsidiary of Fender and features more affordable entry level instruments. These Vintage Modified Cabronita models included one that had two of the Fender Fidelitron pickups and was very similar to the Mexican built versions. A second model with had the Fidelitron pickup in the neck position, but opted for a traditional Telecaster single coil pickup in the bridge, plus a licensed version of the Bigsby B5 vibrato system, something not offered on any of the North American guitars. These were built in Indonesia and featured a 22 fret neck and vintage style tuners as well as single volume and 3 way toggle switch. They used basswood bodies and were offered exclusively with a black polyurethane finish.
Unique features
Most Telecasters use two single coil pickups, although over the years a large number of variations have existed that has utilized one pickup, three pickups, one or two humbucking pickups or a blend of these. With most all of these models, the pickguard is sometimes modified as are the electronics, but many were more or less the same guitar with subtle differences. The Cabronita arguably drifted farthest away from the original Telecaster, using only the body shape.
The pickguard is quite small compared to most, and clearly is influenced by the first couple of prototypes built by Leo Fender back in 1949. Unlike other models, it does not extend over the area of the neck pickup. In most models, the pickguard has squared edges instead of beveled, is a single ply material in either black or white, and is designed very simplistically, as is the rest of the guitar.
The majority of Telecaster have always had the controls mounted to a chrome plated, steel plate, going back to the prototype. The first production model using this plate was in 1951 and it has not changed in specification since, making it an identifying Telecaster feature. A few models instead had the electronics mounted to an extended pickguard, but the Cabronita has the electronics fed from the back of the guitar, and mounted through the wood of the guitar. While common for many other guitar brands, this was a first for a Telecaster.
Most Cabronitas have two pickups but do not have a tone control. This is another first for the Telecaster. A tone control can be added aftermarket by using a stacked potentiometer, but many argue that dropping the tone control gives the instrument a bit more sparkle and highs in the tone, as a tone control filters some of the higher frequencies even when set to the highest level.
The most striking and obvious difference is the use of TV Jones or Fidelitron pickups, both of which are based on Gretsch designs. Gretsch was the first to have a patent approved for a humbucking pickup although Gibson had filed two years earlier, but there are significant differences in their designs. Gretsch pickups are said to have more of a jangle in their tone whereas Gibson humbuckers are more full bodied in tone and slightly larger. Over time, the Gibson design became the standard for humbucker pickups, although the Gretsch design has a smaller but significant following. The TV Jones Classic pickups are a modified and arguably improved version of the Gretsch Filter'Tron. Similarly, the Fender Fidelitron is based on the Filter'Tron design, although they have a tone more akin to a single coil pickup, the tone most associated with Fender.
With the exception of the Squier model that uses a Bigsby vibrato, all the Fender branded Cabronitas use what is typically called a hardtail Stratocaster bridge, meaning it wasn't designed for a tremolo system. This is used on other models of Telecaster that have a humbucking pickup in the bridge position, although humbuckers are rarely used as OEM equipment on Telecasters. Regardless of country of origin, all Cabronita models feature a one piece maple neck and 22 medium jumbo frets as well as a 9.5 inch fingerboard radius, the common modern "C" shape, and either a 42.8mm wide nut (US built) or 42mm wide nut (Indonesia and Mexico built).
My setup on guitars includes new strings (9s or 10s depending on what the nut is cut for), overall polish, cleaning any gunk off fingerboard, oiling neck, and polishing frets when necessary. I spray out any pots that are noisy. I turn the truss rod (if necessary) and set string height at low-to-medium action depending on string buzz present. Since setup is highly subjective you may need to get it set to your particular needs by your personal luthier. I don't claim to be a trained luthier, but I'm able to set guitars/basses for a reasonable out-of-box experience and have had very few complaints. If you're looking for the perfect setup on a used guitar, please expect to take it to a trained luthier who is familiar with your individual playing style and preferences. ps: basses get the same setup minus the new strings. Thanks!
Packing
I use quality boxes, thick bubble wrap, and peanuts to pack guitars. I have a very high rate of successful guitar and bass shipping (meaning few damaged instruments). I have been doing this 10 years and know how to pack well--with or without a hard case. I wrote a detailed story with photos on how I pack a guitar, which you can find on my StillKickinMusic site blog. If you Google "THERE IN ONE PIECE...How to Pack a Guitar" you will find it. Thanks.
Wikipedia info on Cabronita
The Fender Cabronita Telecaster (or colloquially as Cabronita) is a class of guitars built by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation based on their Telecaster body shape. The name Cabronita is Spanish slang and roughly translates as little bastard or little devil. While retaining the shape and general feel of a Telecaster, they are a radical departure from the traditional electronics and sounds associated with the instrument. Like virtually all Telecaster submodels, they are labeled simply as a Fender Telecaster on the headstock logo, identifiable only by their features.
The original Custom Shop Cabronita was introduced in 2009 (Before there was a made-in-Mexico Classic Players Cabronita Telecaster, there was the 60th Anniversary Cabronita, which was made in California for one production year in 2011. It essentially uses the same design, with two TV Jones Filter'Tron humbuckers, an Alder body and Maple neck, albeit with a different finish. This model can be distinguished from the MIM Classic Players and Squier versions by the 60th Anniversary neck plate and "Made In The USA" headstock logo.) and called La Cabronita and was a made to order, Custom Shop built guitar. Custom Shop guitars are built in Fender's Corona, California factory. They represent Fender's highest quality, and fetch prices considerably higher than their standard OEM models. Most of the La Cabronitas had only a single guitar pickup with one volume and tone knobs. These could be ordered with one, two or three pickups as they were custom made instruments. All regular La Cabronita guitars used the TV Classic pickup by TV Jones. The idea was spawned by Mike Eldred, head of the Fender Custom Shop. The goal was to make very different than traditional Telecasters. As Eldred put it:
"Well, I've played a Tele for a good part of my life, and I wanted to make something that was kind of going against the grain of what a normal Tele would be like. I wanted something that was a bit more aggressive - the best way to describe it is when you have family gatherings, but then the asshole cousin will show up and kind of disrupt everything. And I wanted to make a guitar that had that kind of vibe to it: something that didn't really sit in the normal box, and challenged people who normally play Telecasters."
In 2011, Fender marketed what they called their "Tele-Bration" year (a portmanteau of Telecaster and Celebration). This was the 60th anniversary of the Telecaster design, which was the original design by Leo Fender and the world's first successful, mass-produced, bolt-on neck guitar. As part of this, the American made Cabronita was created. Like the Custom Shop versions, these used TV Jones TV Classic pickups, but in a limited color pallet, and always with two pickups. The tone knob was deleted and in its place was a three way switch. This switch was a simple toggle design rather than a blade design, which was unusual for a Telecaster. These models were only manufactured for a short period of time. They cost slightly more than a Fender American Standard guitar, but priced at a fraction of a Custom Shop version.
The following year, Fender began production of a less expensive Cabronita by shifting production to their Ensenada, Mexico factory and using their own Fidelitron pickups, under their Classic Series line of Telecasters. This pickup was similar in both look and design to the TV Jones pickup, sharing the same basic dimensions and mounting style. Although the tone was different, it still provided a high quality sound. Like the American version, the Mexican built (often informally abbreviated as MIM for Made in Mexico) had two pickups, a single volume control and a three way switch. At the same time, they also produced a Thinline version (semi-hollow) that was identical except for the body type. Most were built of alder, with the single exception of the white blonde models that used swamp ash, which allowed the grain to show through the translucent white finish. Unlike most imported Telecasters, it had 22 frets.
Around the same time, they began production of two Cabronita models under their less expensive Squier brand, which is a subsidiary of Fender and features more affordable entry level instruments. These Vintage Modified Cabronita models included one that had two of the Fender Fidelitron pickups and was very similar to the Mexican built versions. A second model with had the Fidelitron pickup in the neck position, but opted for a traditional Telecaster single coil pickup in the bridge, plus a licensed version of the Bigsby B5 vibrato system, something not offered on any of the North American guitars. These were built in Indonesia and featured a 22 fret neck and vintage style tuners as well as single volume and 3 way toggle switch. They used basswood bodies and were offered exclusively with a black polyurethane finish.
Unique features
Most Telecasters use two single coil pickups, although over the years a large number of variations have existed that has utilized one pickup, three pickups, one or two humbucking pickups or a blend of these. With most all of these models, the pickguard is sometimes modified as are the electronics, but many were more or less the same guitar with subtle differences. The Cabronita arguably drifted farthest away from the original Telecaster, using only the body shape.
The pickguard is quite small compared to most, and clearly is influenced by the first couple of prototypes built by Leo Fender back in 1949. Unlike other models, it does not extend over the area of the neck pickup. In most models, the pickguard has squared edges instead of beveled, is a single ply material in either black or white, and is designed very simplistically, as is the rest of the guitar.
The majority of Telecaster have always had the controls mounted to a chrome plated, steel plate, going back to the prototype. The first production model using this plate was in 1951 and it has not changed in specification since, making it an identifying Telecaster feature. A few models instead had the electronics mounted to an extended pickguard, but the Cabronita has the electronics fed from the back of the guitar, and mounted through the wood of the guitar. While common for many other guitar brands, this was a first for a Telecaster.
Most Cabronitas have two pickups but do not have a tone control. This is another first for the Telecaster. A tone control can be added aftermarket by using a stacked potentiometer, but many argue that dropping the tone control gives the instrument a bit more sparkle and highs in the tone, as a tone control filters some of the higher frequencies even when set to the highest level.
The most striking and obvious difference is the use of TV Jones or Fidelitron pickups, both of which are based on Gretsch designs. Gretsch was the first to have a patent approved for a humbucking pickup although Gibson had filed two years earlier, but there are significant differences in their designs. Gretsch pickups are said to have more of a jangle in their tone whereas Gibson humbuckers are more full bodied in tone and slightly larger. Over time, the Gibson design became the standard for humbucker pickups, although the Gretsch design has a smaller but significant following. The TV Jones Classic pickups are a modified and arguably improved version of the Gretsch Filter'Tron. Similarly, the Fender Fidelitron is based on the Filter'Tron design, although they have a tone more akin to a single coil pickup, the tone most associated with Fender.
With the exception of the Squier model that uses a Bigsby vibrato, all the Fender branded Cabronitas use what is typically called a hardtail Stratocaster bridge, meaning it wasn't designed for a tremolo system. This is used on other models of Telecaster that have a humbucking pickup in the bridge position, although humbuckers are rarely used as OEM equipment on Telecasters. Regardless of country of origin, all Cabronita models feature a one piece maple neck and 22 medium jumbo frets as well as a 9.5 inch fingerboard radius, the common modern "C" shape, and either a 42.8mm wide nut (US built) or 42mm wide nut (Indonesia and Mexico built).
