I’m offering a classic 1988 Fender American Standard Telecaster – from the very first and most sought-after production run of this series. This is exactly the year that marked the beginning of Fender’s modern era after the opening of the Corona factory and the company’s transition to FMIC management.
Instruments from 1987–1989 are especially valued today for their excellent tonewoods, the older hardware spec, and the characteristic slimmer neck profile.
Key details
 
 
Year: 1988 (USA, Corona)
 
 
Color: Brown Sunburst (one of the original American Standard finishes)
 
 
Body: Alder
 
 
Neck: One-piece maple, 25.5" scale
 
 
Fingerboard: Rosewood
 
 
Radius: 9.5"
 
 
Frets: 22 (original, in very good condition)
 
 
Bridge: Modern Tele 6-saddle (the solid late-80s steel saddles)
 
 
Pickups: Original Fender American Standard Single Coils (Alnico V)
 
 
Serial: E-prefix (correct for 1988)
 
 
Made in USA
 
 
Tone: Modern yet still unmistakably Tele – articulate bridge + fuller, rounder neck

Condition
The guitar is fully functional, set up, and ready to play.
Typical signs of use on the body and pickguard consistent with its age. The finish has minor scratches and discoloration typical for a 35-year-old instrument, but overall it looks very good. Frets are in great shape, the neck is straight, and the intonation is spot-on.
Tonally – classic Tele character:
 
 
Bridge: strong, glassy attack, sharp and articulate twang
 
 
Neck: fuller, slightly round, perfect for blues
 
 
Middle: excellent funk/indie clean

Interesting facts about this year’s model
✔ 1988 Teles are the second generation of American Standards – before the later 90s revisions.
✔ Early production years feature a slimmer, more comfortable neck and carefully selected woods.
✔ Late-80s pickups have slightly higher output and more “glass” compared to early-90s units.
✔ This year was produced in the then-new Corona factory – the first Telecaster line revived after the CBS era.
✔ Brown Sunburst was one of the most popular and best-aging finishes in this series.
Full technical specifications
 
 
Body: Alder
 
 
Neck: Maple, C-shape
 
 
Fingerboard: Rosewood
 
 
Radius: 9.5"
 
 
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
 
 
Nut width: 1.6875" (42.8 mm)
 
 
Scale: 25.5"
 
 
Bridge: 6-saddle American Standard Tele Bridge (steel saddles)
 
 
Pickups:
Fender American Standard Single Coil (Neck)
Fender American Standard Single Coil (Bridge)
 
 
Electronics: 3-way switch, Volume, Tone
 
 
Tuners: Fender sealed tuners
 
 
Finish: Brown Sunburst (gloss)