The Story of the 1964 Telecaster
The history of the American Vintage 64 Telecaster reissue started back in 1964 when Leo Fender sold Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company for $13 million to CBS. In February 1965 CBS took over. This makes 1964 the last year for sought after pre-CBS Fender guitars. In late 1964 Pearloid fingerboard dots replaced the previous clay dots, with the smaller side dots becoming Pearloid. Since August 1962 flat-bottom slab rosewood fingerboards were replaced by thinner round-laminated fingerboards that made for a more stable joint between neck and fingerboard. These changes were the main ingredients for Fenders 2012 American Vintage Reissue.
American Vintage 64 Telecaster
V + 7 digits stamped on the neck plate 2012 - 2017 Aged White Blonde 2012 – 2015 Three-Color Sunburst 2012 Lake Placid Blue 2013 Candy Apple Red 2014 Fiesta Red
In August 2012 the American Vintage 64 Telecaster (AV) which was advertised as ‘Pure Vintage’ at first replaced the AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster (e.g. see the last page of the Fender American Vintage Brochure from 2012).
Like with the other AV models the first 46 produced 64 Telecasters came with a “1st 46” neck plate. Check out my post about the 52 Telecaster Reissues you to read the 2012 Press Release.
The Pickups were changed to Alnico 5 magnets to add more focus and enhanced dynamics. On some of the AVRI 62 Custom Telecasters, one could see the pickup cavity under the bridge. Not so with the AV 64 models. Just like back in late 1964 Fender started using Pearloid fingerboard dots replaced the previous clay dots in late 1964, with the smaller side dots becoming Pearloid.
Fender AV 64 vs AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster
The slab board of the AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster was changed to a round lam fingerboard and they used a period-correct headstock. The bridge plate now said FENDER PAT.NO. DES.164227 2,573,254.
AVRI 62 Custom (left) and AV 64 Telecaster neck (right) Flat-bottom slab rosewood fingerboard of an AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster AVRI 62 flat-bottom slab (left) and on AV 64 round-laminated rosewood fingerboard (right) Round-laminated fingerboard of an AV 64 Telecaster: Notice how thin it is as compared to the fingerboard of the AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster
The neck lacquer on the AV 64 Telecasters is virtually untinted. In comparison, the AVRI 62 had an orange-ish heavily tinted neck. The AV ones are looking much lighter. The neck also is bigger and has rolled edges that give it a ‘broken-in’ feel. The frets are more rounded on the top giving them a feeling of being taller without actually being it.
The tolex of the AV cases looks more greenish than the brown tolex of the AVRI cases.
AVRI 62 Custom G&G Case AV 64 G&G Case
The AV 64 Tele was the first one to have a Flash Coat Lacquer (supposedly the same lacquer as Fenders Thin Skin models). According to Rob Schwarz (Fender), the lacquer was all Nitro (Nitro Sanding sealer, Nitro color, and Nitro topcoat). All Fender AV models came with a Lacquer Information Sheet in the case. Since the lacquer was really thin sometimes even newly purchased Teles had some “finish issues” like small chips, dings, cracks, etc. There has been some speculation that this was one of the reasons why Fender replaced the AV series with the American Original (AO) that again uses the same body finishes as the AVRI (urethane base coat under lacquers).
Lacquer chip on a AVRI 62 Custom Telecaster Lacquer chip on a AV 64 Telecaster
Notice how thick the paint is on the AVRI 62 in comparison to the AV 64 Telecaster.
Just like the rest of the AV series, the 64 Tele came with a thinner case and the modern wiring of bridge/both/neck standard and a kit to convert it to the vintage wiring (bridge/neck/neck with the tone capacitor) (see AV 64 Telecaster Service Diagram).
It is also the first one that lets you identify the year of production by the serial number. If you have V12 + 5 digits stamped on the bridge plate your guitar was made in 2012.
AV 64 Telecaster Specs
- Body: Alder (all colored versions), Ash (Aged White Blonde)
- Neck: Maple, Mid 60s C Shape (Flash Coat Lacquer)
- Fingerboard: Round Laminated Rosewood, 7.25″ Radius (184 mm)
- No. of Frets: 21 Vintage Style Frets
- Pickups: Two American Vintage 64 Gray-Bottom Tele Single-Coil Pickup (Neck & Bridge)
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
- Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
- Position 1. Bridge Pickup
- Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
- Position 3. Neck Pickup
- Bridge: Original Vintage Style Tele Bridge with 3 Threaded Steel Saddles
- Machine Heads: Single Line “Fender Deluxe” Vintage Style
- Hardware: Chrome
- Pickguard: 3-Ply White with Vintage Bevel
- Scale Length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Width at Nut: 1.650″ (42 mm)
- String Nut: Bone
- Strings: Fender USA 250R NPS (.010-.046 Gauges)
Other Versions
Next to the Fender Custom Shop (CS) 1964 Telecaster there is the Made in Mexico (MIM) Classic 60s Telecaster.
Famous Players
- Joe Strummer (The Clash)
- And probably many more…
Downloads
- Fender American Vintage 64 Telecaster Instruction Manual 2012
- Fender American Vintage 64 Telecaster Service Diagram 2012
- Fender American Vintage Lacquer Information Sheet (2012)
- Fender American Vintage Brochure 2012
Pictures by courtesy of @rze99 and @dreamingtele
Can you do a comparison of the AV64 Tele with the new American Original 60s Tele Custom?
Hi William, Thanks for reaching out. I can do a comparison in the next couple of months!
Hey, thanks for putting this stuff together! It’s good to have an archive of what is arguably the best non-CS line Fender has ever produced, especially now that it’s been discontinued.
But how come nothing on the AV 58 Tele? The neck is a bit different, but otherwise it’s every bit as wonderful as the 52 and 64.
Also, do you have information about the AV64 colors – how many CARs are there, for instance? I have one, and unlike the usual gold undercoat, it’s silver (ugh, don’t ask how I know). The result is a much brighter, ruby/cherry color than the other CARs I’ve seen. And I heard (with no verification) that they may have only made 300 of them.
Thanks, Joe. I just was not able to get my hands on a 58 Tele. But they sure must be nice as well. I also don’t have any numbers on the colors. Sorry.
Michael