Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Ltd Edition 61 Relic: (2023)
This Fender Custom Shop limited edition 61 Telecaster Relic in Sherwood Green Metallic delivers an inviting played-in feel, characterfully aged aesthetic and beautiful tone of those sought-after instruments with the rock-solid reliability of a modern, pro-grade guitar. Fender claims a top-notch spec that even the most discerning Tele fan will adore. This '61 Tele is crafted from the finest tone-woods available. At the heart of this guitar’s crisp and articulate voice is its classic combination of a select Alder body and a Quarter Sawn Maple neck. The period-correct nitrocellulose finish enhances this '61 Tele’s resonance by allowing the wood to “breathe” and will develop a unique visual character over time.
Some quick specifications are a 60 "C" 5/4 quarter sawn maple neck and a AAA rosewood fingerboard, scale length 25.5", with a 9.5" Radius, Narrow Tall (6105) frets, Vintage-Style Tuning Machines, Bone nut, Custom Shop Vintage 3 brass barrel saddles, Hand-Wound 'Tele Twisted' and 'Blackguard 51 pick-ups, The guitar came with an aged mint green / gold scratch plate which I swapped-out for the tortoise shell which I prefer. The guitar comes with a custom shop hard shell case.
Personal Comment:
I have mentioned before that the Telecaster (albeit) a Japanese copy was my first electric guitar back in the early 1970s and that this iconic slab of wood continues to have a special place in my memory. As I returned to guitar playing I avoided Custom Shop guitars as there price point was not for me at that time. I purchased the USA Fender Pro Telecaster (Series 1 model) and very much enjoyed getting back to grips with an old friend. However, as time passed and my recording journey grew, I decided to try a Custom Shop Stratocaster and that was the open door which led to the purchase of a Custom Shop Telecaster 52 and this fabulous sounding 61 Limited Edition model.
Once again, like other relic Fender models, the moment I took the guitar into my hands, it felt just right, the 60 'C' profile and that worn-in relic feel simply makes this guitar feel super comfortable. There is a misconception that relic guitars are just - 'beat-up' looking guitars. As someone who has built guitars, it takes a good deal of time and skill to wear-in a guitar neck and frets, so that it not only feels great under hand but is highly stable and intonates perfectly. I have done a number of comparison videos with Custom Shop 50s and 60s models and up against the more modern Professional series. There is also a video comparing the 61 Telecaster to a 64 Stratocaster. Check-out the videos below by clicking on the pictures.
As a Fender fan, this CS Telecaster 61 relic model is a real joy to play, and yes it not only plays beautifully but sounds fabulous. This particular guitar with the pick-up configuration it has is just so versatile and a fabulous instrument for studio work. If you want to know more about this guitar drop me an email.