Fender 1981 Lead I Electric Guitar Black with Hardshell Case - Used

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This used 8.8 lb Fender will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This guitar is in very good condition with moderate buckle-rash across the back of the instrument, a small collection of very minor dings on the front, and wear along the sides of the fretboard, along with a couple of moderate chips near the first fret, and some dings on front of the headstock. The nut has also been replaced, along with the tuners. Despite the cosmetic wear, this guitar plays and feels great!

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Born in the transitional years between CBS and modern-era Fender, the Lead Series was introduced in 1979 as an affordable, U.S.-made alternative that combined classic Fender playability with a more compact body and fresh electronics. The Lead I, produced from 1979 to 1982, was designed for players who wanted a stripped-down workhorse guitar with a distinct sonic personality. Featuring a single Fender 12-pole humbucking pickup, two mini switches, and a streamlined control layout, the Lead I offered an unusually wide tonal palette for a one-pickup guitar — making it a favorite among punk, new wave, and hard-rock guitarists looking for something off the beaten path.

This 1981 model wears a sleek black gloss finish over an alder body and sports a maple neck with a vintage 7.25" radius, black dot inlays, and a soft “C” shape that plays comfortably across all positions. The signature Lead body is slightly smaller and lighter than a traditional Strat or Tele, making it ideal for gigging and long sessions. Thanks to its unique 3-way coil selector and series/parallel switch, you can dial in everything from biting single-coil tones to thicker, more aggressive humbucker sounds — all from one pickup. Now a cult classic with a growing collector following, this Fender Lead I stands as a snapshot of early ’80s innovation and tone. Available now at Hagggerty’s Music, this used rarity ships with a plastic hardshell case for convenient transport and reliable protection.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Series: Fender Lead I
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Color: Black

Body

• Body Material: Alder
• Body Finish: Gloss
• Body Shape: Lead I (Doublecut)
• Body Style: Solidbody

Neck

• Headstock Type: Standard Fender
• Neck Material: Maple
• Neck Shape: Soft C
• Neck Finish: Gloss
• Neck Depth: 0.929” at 1st Fret, 0.962” at 12th Fret
• Neck Construction: Bolt-On
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25”
• Fingerboard Material: Maple
• Position Inlays: Black Dots
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 21
• Truss Rod Style: Standard
• Truss Rod Nut: Heel Access
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.6”
• Fret Size: Vintage
• Scale Length: 25.5”

Hardware

• Bridge: String-Through 6-Saddle Chrome
• Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: None
• Bridge Mounting: 3-Screw Standard
• Pickguard: 3-Ply
• Pickup Covers: None
• Control Knobs: Black Plastic
• Switch Tip: Chrome
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Black Closed-Gear (Installed Post-Factory)
• String Trees: Dual Vintage-Butterfly
• Tremolo Arm:  None
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Output Jack: Front Control Panel-Mounted

Electronics

• Pickup Configuration: H
• Bridge Pickup: Fender 12-Pole Humbucker
• Controls: Volume, Tone
• Switching: Three-Position Coil Selector Switch (Single Coil, Both Coils, Single Coil)
• Auxiliary Switching: Two-Position Series/Parallel Select Switch

Miscellaneous

• Accessories: None
• Case/Gig Bag: Plastic Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: E110012
• Manufacture Date: 1981