Fender AV II 72 TELE THINLINE MN AGN

Fender AV II 72 Tele Thinline MN AGN review

The Fender AV II 72 TELE THINLINE MN AGN recreates a distinctive early-1970s Telecaster Thinline format. Its semi-hollow ash body, one-piece maple neck, and pair of CuNiFe Wide Range humbuckers give it a character that sits apart from a standard solid-body Telecaster. The Aged Natural finish keeps the wood visible beneath a glossy polyurethane coating, while the four-ply aged-white pearloid pickguard adds a period-style detail.

At a listed price of 2,379, this is a premium instrument, so details such as setup, fretwork, and hardware fit matter. Owner reports are generally enthusiastic about the sound, feel, and build, but they also point to occasional setup and quality-control issues worth checking in person.

Construction and vintage details

The guitar has a semi-hollow ash body and a one-piece maple neck with a maple fingerboard. Black dot inlays mark the board, which has a 7.25-inch radius. The 1972 C neck profile is described by players as slim and comfortable, though individual preferences will vary. The 25.51-inch scale, 42 mm nut width, and 21 vintage-tall frets follow the stated specifications.

A bone nut and a six-saddle hardtail bridge complete the string path. The strings pass through the body, and the bridge uses curved steel saddles. Fender-branded stamped tuning machines, nickel-chrome hardware, and the vintage-style black case with orange lining round out the package. The case is reported to be attractive and roomy, but noticeably heavy compared with some other Fender hard cases. One owner also found their case would tip when stood on its long edge, a practical issue to check if upright storage matters.

What the CuNiFe pickups sound like

The two CuNiFe Wide Range humbuckers are central to this model's appeal. Player accounts describe them as clear, detailed, and more substantial than traditional Telecaster single-coil pickups. Compared with one owner's American Professional Telecaster, the humbuckers came across slightly louder and fuller, while retaining a relatively open, articulate character.

That description fits the guitar's broader tonal identity: warmer and less sharp than a typical single-coil Tele, but not simply a conventional humbucker sound. One player who owned a 1973 Thinline found the instrument familiar, while another praised the range of tones available by working the controls. These impressions are subjective, and the pickup character will not suit everyone. If you want the bright, cutting response associated with classic Telecaster single coils, this is a different voice.

The control layout is straightforward, with master volume, master tone, and a three-way pickup selector. One reported limitation is that rolling back the volume can reduce the treble enough to make the sound seem muddy. That player added a treble-bleed circuit to retain more high end at lower volume settings. The guitar's listed specifications do not include such a circuit, so players who regularly adjust volume while performing may want to test that behavior before buying.

Playability and setup checks

Owners commonly praise the neck's feel and the guitar's comfortable playability. One reviewer reported a low action without fret buzz after proper adjustment, and another said the instrument felt good to play. The bridge spacing is a less familiar detail: a customer measured string spacing at roughly 56 or 57 mm and found it wider than on a modern Telecaster. That can feel natural to some players and awkward to others, so a hands-on trial is useful.

Setup experiences were not uniform. Reports include a loose tone knob, fretwork or finish residue near the frets, and nut slots that needed attention when changing to the specified.010 to.046 gauge strings. One customer received.009-gauge strings instead, despite the listed specification. These are individual experiences, not evidence that every guitar has the same problem, but they reinforce the value of inspecting the instrument and confirming the setup on arrival.

Some owners also mentioned a bridge-related rattle that did not affect the amplified sound. Another reported hum when the volume control was not fully open, which stopped when touching the controls or output jack. That behavior may indicate an electrical grounding issue, but the available report does not establish a confirmed cause. Have a qualified technician inspect persistent noise rather than assuming it is normal.

Verdict

The AV II 72 Tele Thinline MN AGN is a compelling choice for players who want a vintage-inspired semi-hollow guitar with a clear, warm, and individual humbucker voice. Its maple neck and fingerboard, ash body, period-style hardware, and included case create a coherent package, while owner feedback points to strong playability and satisfying tones.

The compromises are practical rather than universal: the case is heavy, the string spacing may surprise Telecaster players, and the volume control can lose treble as it is turned down. Given the price, inspect the frets, controls, nut, bridge, and wiring, and confirm the installed string gauge. If the Wide Range pickup sound suits your playing, this Fender offers a distinctive alternative to a conventional Telecaster.