Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Andy Hicks Knotty Pine 50's Telecaster Roundup Walnut Stain With Case
SKU 00FCS316
by Fender
Sold out
Original price
$ 10,000.00
-
Original price
$ 10,000.00
Original price
$ 10,000.00
$ 10,000.00
-
$ 10,000.00
Current price
$ 10,000.00
Masterbuilt Andy Hicks Knotty Pine 50's Telecaster Roundup
Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop. Every so often, a new Masterbuilder joins the ranks - when that happens, we jump right into it with them to forge a new partnership. This past year, we got word that Andy Hicks had joined the Fender Custom Shop as a Masterbuilder. We immediately set up a meeting to cook up a batch of very special guitars. We always like to ask the builders what they would like to build, in an effort to truly collaborate on guitars that they are excited to build. That was the genesis of this amazing Telecaster.
Any Masterbuilt piece is going to be impressive, but we wanted to take it an extra step with creativity. Taking inspiration from a Gretsch Roundup, we worked with Andy to design something truly unique. When it landed, we were blown away. We are proud to present the Knotty Pine 50's Telecaster Roundup.
It's not just about looks and feel - the third element - the sound - is where this guitar really shines. We agreed with Andy when he suggested keeping it old school, so the guitar is loaded with Custom Shop Handwound '51 Nocaster pickups. They provide the sound of the original Telecasters that Leo Fender first designed. It's the true "old school" tone, with everything you need and nothing that you don't. Created with the original design in mind, these pickups accurately recreate the twang and shimmer of the originals. They are period-correct, with Alnico 3 magnets, a flush stagger and enamel wire. The result is a tight low end, clear, balanced midrange and sizzling highs when necessary.
We stayed period correct for the hardware, going with vintage tuners, string guide, etc. The idea is to have everything you'd expect in a vintage Tele from the 50's, with a truly unique level of customization and a modern feel to the neck. The guitar comes with a Custom Shop tweed case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
As the name suggests, the top is Knotty Pine - and Andy found an amazing piece for this guitar. It's very well bookmatched, with great figuring and character. We couldn't be happier with what he chose. Also, he suggested a Fiji Mahogany body, a wood known for its warm tone and distinctive lower-mids. Its fine grain also provides mellow high-end and excellent sustain. The end result is a beautiful and very resonant guitar. If that wasn't enough, the sides of the body are adorned with Tooled Leather. This feature has been seen on Roundups but not Telecasters, and we wanted something that hasn't been seen before. Andy had a great connection to a leather artist, and the end result is downright stunning. As another tip of the hat to Gretsch, we also went with a Bigsby B5. Granted, plenty of Tele's have had a Bigsby as well, but the combination of these aspects gives off a strong Gretsch vibe.
We chose the '59 Esquire C neck shape, which is one of our favorites. It's not as chunky as an early 50's Tele neck in the first position, making it easier to play, but it gets progressively thicker as you go up to the higher frets, providing plenty of wood to grip. More and more players have been requesting this neck shape, for very good reason. The modernized tweak we added is that this guitar has a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets. This makes it easy to play, even up high on the neck when bending notes and digging in. That, coupled with the perfectly sculpted neck, makes this guitar a dream to play.
It's not just about looks and feel - the third element - the sound - is where this guitar really shines. We agreed with Andy when he suggested keeping it old school, so the guitar is loaded with Custom Shop Handwound '51 Nocaster pickups. They provide the sound of the original Telecasters that Leo Fender first designed. It's the true "old school" tone, with everything you need and nothing that you don't. Created with the original design in mind, these pickups accurately recreate the twang and shimmer of the originals. They are period-correct, with Alnico 3 magnets, a flush stagger and enamel wire. The result is a tight low end, clear, balanced midrange and sizzling highs when necessary.
We stayed period correct for the hardware, going with vintage tuners, string guide, etc. The idea is to have everything you'd expect in a vintage Tele from the 50's, with a truly unique level of customization and a modern feel to the neck. The guitar comes with a Custom Shop tweed case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind. When it's one of the first Andy Hicks builds, it's truly something special. Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.
ABOUT THE MASTERBUILDER: ANDY HICKS
Andy Hicks grew up in a household filled with music lovers. He received his first guitar on his 11th birthday – a gorgeous 3-tone burst Fender Stratocaster. Andy spent his teenage years playing along with his favorite Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Metallica records. He played in local rock bands and by his early 20s he became increasingly interested in experimenting with guitars by modifying pickups and wiring.
In 2009, Andy decided to take this passion for guitar building seriously by enrolling in the Guitar Craft Academy in Hollywood, a 6-month program focused on electric guitars. Within a week of graduating, he started working at Fender in the Jackson Custom Shop dressing frets. From 2013 to 2018, he worked as an assistant to Gretsch Custom Shop Senior Master Builder, Steve Stern. Andy worked with various artists during this period and is very proud of his involvement with the Malcolm Young “Salute” Jet. In 2018, Andy seized the opportunity to become the lead builder and production manager for a high-end boutique guitar company and was subsequently recruited by James Tyler to oversee production for his shop in the San Fernando Valley.
On his return to Fender, Hicks said, “coming back to Fender, becoming part of the most prestigious custom shop in the industry, and being around so many talented builders is incredibly exciting and humbling. It also feels like I have returned home.”
When it comes to guitars, Andy incorporates his two passions: playing and building guitars. He firmly believes that these two passions are deeply connected, uniting Andy’s core approach to creating guitars. “I love interacting with guitarists,” Hicks said. “Bridging the gap between builder and player, listening to their desires and implementing them into my builds is incredibly rewarding,” and to create such guitars in the Fender Custom Shop, “nothing could be better,” he added.
When not building guitars, Andy plays in an epic doom metal band, Stygian Crown, enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and goes on incredible Disneyland trips with his wife and 3 boys.
ABOUT THE MASTERBUILDER: ANDY HICKS
Andy Hicks grew up in a household filled with music lovers. He received his first guitar on his 11th birthday – a gorgeous 3-tone burst Fender Stratocaster. Andy spent his teenage years playing along with his favorite Nirvana, Black Sabbath and Metallica records. He played in local rock bands and by his early 20s he became increasingly interested in experimenting with guitars by modifying pickups and wiring.
In 2009, Andy decided to take this passion for guitar building seriously by enrolling in the Guitar Craft Academy in Hollywood, a 6-month program focused on electric guitars. Within a week of graduating, he started working at Fender in the Jackson Custom Shop dressing frets. From 2013 to 2018, he worked as an assistant to Gretsch Custom Shop Senior Master Builder, Steve Stern. Andy worked with various artists during this period and is very proud of his involvement with the Malcolm Young “Salute” Jet. In 2018, Andy seized the opportunity to become the lead builder and production manager for a high-end boutique guitar company and was subsequently recruited by James Tyler to oversee production for his shop in the San Fernando Valley.
On his return to Fender, Hicks said, “coming back to Fender, becoming part of the most prestigious custom shop in the industry, and being around so many talented builders is incredibly exciting and humbling. It also feels like I have returned home.”
When it comes to guitars, Andy incorporates his two passions: playing and building guitars. He firmly believes that these two passions are deeply connected, uniting Andy’s core approach to creating guitars. “I love interacting with guitarists,” Hicks said. “Bridging the gap between builder and player, listening to their desires and implementing them into my builds is incredibly rewarding,” and to create such guitars in the Fender Custom Shop, “nothing could be better,” he added.
When not building guitars, Andy plays in an epic doom metal band, Stygian Crown, enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and goes on incredible Disneyland trips with his wife and 3 boys.
- Serial # AH0136
- Model# 9211003207
- Weight: 8.3 lbs
- Finish Package: Closet Classic
- Finish: Nitro Lacquer
- Color: Walnut Stain
- Body: Fiji Mahogany with Knotty Pine Top
- Tooled Leather Sides
- Neck: Maple (one piece)
- Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
- Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
- Neck Shape: 59 Esquire "C"
- Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .790"
- Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .970"
- Frets: 21
- Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
- Radius: 9.5"
- Dots: Micarta Black
- Pickguard: Custom Tortoise Shell
- Neck Pickup: Handwound 51 Nocaster
- Bridge Pickup: Handwound 51 Nocaster
- Nut: Bone
- Hardware: Gold - Heavy Patina
- Tuners: Vintage
- String Guide: Vintage
- Bridge: Bigsby B5
- Knobs: Knurled Tele
- Neck Plate: Vintage
- Switch: 3 Way
- Wiring: Modern
- Case: Custom Shop Tweed