1971 Fender Telecaster – Left-Handed, All Original, Superb Condition
This is a true left-handed 1971 Fender Telecaster in remarkable condition, with all original parts and finish. It is one of the cleanest examples you will find—essentially a closet queen with only minor cosmetic flaws and virtually no fret wear. The guitar was barely played and has been exceptionally well preserved.
Historical Details
In keeping with Leo Fender’s budget-conscious philosophy, Fender did not produce entirely separate tooling for left-handed models. Instead, they adapted existing right-handed machinery and parts:
- Pickups were wound and assembled in reverse order.
- Necks were specially made for left-handed instruments.
- Bodies were routed on right-handed machines, simply flipped to the opposite side.
- Bridges are actually right-handed units stamped backwards. As a result, the Fender logo and patent numbers do not appear on the top of the bridge plate—but if you flip it over, you’ll see the correct markings on the underside.
These quirks make original left-handed Fenders from this era especially fascinating and collectible.
Specifications & Features
- Year: 1971 (with components from earlier stock)
- Pots: 1966 date codes
- Neck Stamp: Green ink, consistent with 1969–1971 production
- Finish: Original, with some discoloration on the edges from case contact and one long finish check on the back (strictly cosmetic, not structural)
- Pickguard: One extra screw hole added at some point—reason unknown
- Condition: Superb overall, with minimal play wear and virtually no fret wear
Case
Includes the original left-handed Fender case.
✨ This is a rare opportunity to acquire a vintage left-handed Telecaster that is both historically interesting and in outstanding original condition.