By 1983, Fender was actively trying to move beyond the designs it had built its reputation on, developing instruments that reflected a more modern approach to playability and electronics. The Elite series became one of the clearest examples of that shift, reworking familiar Fender models with updated hardware, active circuitry, and more contemporary specifications aimed at players of the period.
This 1983 Fender Elite Telecaster is finished in Emerald Green and remains in mint condition, complete with its original hard shell case. The original stick on pickguard is no longer present, allowing more of the bound alder body to show through and giving the guitar a cleaner overall appearance.
The construction and feel are noticeably different from a traditional Telecaster. It features a maple neck with a modern C profile, 12" radius fingerboard, jumbo frets, and Fender’s Bi Flex truss rod system, giving it a flatter and more contemporary playing feel. Hardware appointments include sealed tuners, Fender’s “Ezy-Glyder” string trees, and the Freeflyte six saddle top loading bridge.
Electronically, the Elite series pushed further than most Fender models of the time. This example is fitted with Fender’s proprietary active Alnico II noise free pickups paired with an onboard 9 volt preamp system. The controls include a master volume, TBX tone control, MDX mid boost control, and a three way toggle switch, allowing a much broader tonal range than a standard Telecaster setup.
Smaller details such as the serrated rubber grip knobs, body binding, and Elite embossed Micro Tilt neck plate further separate these from standard production models of the era.
Produced for only a short period, the Elite series remains one of Fender’s more unusual departures from tradition and captures a very specific moment in the company’s history where innovation was taking priority over vintage correctness.
Specs:
Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm
Action at 12th Fret: 1.75mm
Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 20.60mm
Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 22.85mm
Nut Width: 43.30mm
Width at 12th Fret: 51.30mm
Weight: 3.900kg
Model: Fender Elite Telecaster
Year: 1983
Finish: Emerald Green
Body: Alder with top binding
Neck: Maple
Neck Profile: Modern C
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Frets: 21 Jumbo
Truss Rod: Bi Flex with Micro Tilt adjustment
Pickups: Active Alnico II noise free humbuckers
Controls: Master Volume, TBX, MDX, 3 way toggle
Bridge: Freeflyte 6 saddle top loading bridge
Tuners: Sealed high ratio tuners
Hardware: Gold
Case: Original hard shell case
Crafted in: USA
