It looks like it spent many a year in a closet or under a bed. I'm betting that if you take off the pickguard you will find it's a rather different color underneath. Nice find!!!
actually, it was more the angle of the picture once I looked at it again. That said, I am Bubba modding the bridge to do a 3 saddle conversion and when I reassemble the guitar I will ensure it is alligned properly...
Typical cheap electronics... I will note that the control plate is actually wider than a standard tele plate and the pickguard cutout for the control plate is also larger for that reason. So if I go to a different pickguard, I will also need to go to a standard width tele control plate.