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Thread: Fender Lead II

  1. #1
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    Fender Lead II

    Just curious as to how many Fender Lead I or II guitars are left out there, and what your opinions are on them.

    Thanx :rofl

  2. #2
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    Thanks for the comeback. I purchased mine in 1980. It is still stock, and because we are three piece, I find it to be a very versitile guitar. It is mellow and also will scream with the right amp.

  3. #3
    i have a freind that has one that he won and has never taken it out of the case to play it.

  4. #4
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    Hey Lightening,
    What color.......I have a red with a black pickguard and maple neck. I believe they also came black and white.

  5. #5
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    lead2,

    I have a near twin to your's - wine red with the black pickguard but a rosewood board.

    Got it for Christmas in '79, and I still have it.

    John C.

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    John,
    Didn't know they came with rosewood.
    I had a brass nut installed for a little better sustain.

  7. #7
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    Of the 3 Leads, I've seen more IIs with rosewood than I have either Is or IIIs.

    Glad to hear yours is still your player; mine developed a slight twist to the neck. Given its age and that it has more sentimental value than actual value, I decided to live with higher action than I have on my other guitars. I've been using it for tuning experiments and a really pitiful attempt at playing bottleneck.

    John C.

  8. #8
    it is white
    it has been a while since i have seen it

  9. #9
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    John,
    Forgot all about the III's. Never had a great affection for triple upus anyway.

    Lightening,
    Do you have a maple neck?

  10. #10
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    lead2,

    Actually the IIIs had two of the large humbuckers like in the I; I think they were only made from '81 through '83. I've only seen them in ads; never saw one in the flesh.

    I do remember Elliot Easton of the Cars and Steve Morse had modded Lead "I 1/2" guitars - a Lead I with a Lead II single coil in the neck. Morse's had an extra toggle switch; don't remember about Easton's.

    John C.

  11. #11
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    Thanx

    Thank You to all for the comebacks. Mine still goes strong. New strings every gig and we're ready to go!!!!!!!

  12. #12
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    Whats Not to like about a lead III?

    I love my Seinna Sunburst, white guard, super light weight, Smith headstocked, Late Production Lead III.

    I wish my Lps had a neck pickup this nice.

  13. #13
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    I have to finish a neck for mine, I just put in 2 Dimarzio pickups in it. Neck is 9.3 and the bridge is 12.9. Should be pretty dynamic with that HEAVY body.

  14. #14
    Forum Member Zendocon's Avatar
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    I jammed with a Lead III a few times. It wasn't mine, so unfortunately I had to give it back. I found it to be quite jangley. I really liked it! Kind of a Mustang-meets - Rickenbacker sound. Certainly unique. And CHEAP!

  15. #15
    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    My first 'quality' guitar was a Lead II purchased in 1979. Mine was transparent red with a maple neck. I loved that guitar and played the hell out of it until I got my first strat in 1988. I ended up selling the lead II to a kid who was just starting out. (I wish I had kept it.)
    "If you're cool, you don't know nothin' about it. It just is...or you ain't." - Keith Richards

  16. #16
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    I've got two Lead IIs (2 single coil pickups) and one Lead III (two humbuckers). Great vintage stuff for a fraction of the price. Build quality is as good as anything else made around that time (79-83), which isn't known to be a particularly great time for Fender but the Leads have matured well. Except for the ones with black finish - those crackled and flaked long ago due to some sub-standard paint experiments. But the other colours seem to have held up ok.

  17. #17
    Forum Member studio1087's Avatar
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    My buddy had a black Lead II with one humbucker at the bridge when we were kids, 1981? - It had a nice neck.

    Gee, now I want to search e-bay just to look pictures.

    LOOK OUT - NO BIDDERS YET AT $300.00

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=47069
    Last edited by studio1087; 12-16-2003 at 05:12 AM.
    Carry On!

    John

  18. #18
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    Re: Fender Lead II

    I wish Fender would resissue these things. I never got around to owning one back then. I did have a Hondo knock off of one though.

  19. #19
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    Re: Fender Lead II

    I had a Lead III last year. Sounded okay for a heavy ash body - pretty bright and peircing - but not as bad as my 76 Strat was. Loved the neck.

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