Fender Custom Shop 1954 Telecaster Journeyman Relic Faded Aged Nocaster Blonde With Case
We love it when the Fender Custom Shop delves deep into the early years to introduce a unique, transition-era model. In this case, it's the 1954 Telecaster. Everyone knows how revered the original Telecasters are, and while Leo Fender hit a home run, he didn't stop tinkering with the design, even right off the bat. Early 1954 marks the last production run of the infamous single-ply black phenolic pickguard on what we now know as a Nocaster Blonde-finished body, eventually moving to a single-ply white pickguard to match the all-new Stratocaster. For that reason, many Fender fans and vintage aficionados gravitate to the '54 Tele.
Here we have a great example of what Fender can do today, with this Custom Shop 1954 Telecaster Journeyman Relic. You get all of the vibe of a vintage guitar, with the just the right amount of wear, built to the highest standards.
Preserving the iconic appointments of the sought after early Telecaster® guitars, this 1954 model features a two-piece select ash body (with offset seam on the treble side), a one-piece rift sawn maple neck with ’54-style “U” back-shape and vintage compound 7.25” to 9.5” fingerboard radius. Even though this guitar is a Journeyman Relic, we chose to have the neck given the Heavy Relic treatment, for a fully broken in feel. This is our personal favorite combination on Custom Shop guitars.
Equipped with a pair of Custom Shop hand-wound Loaded ’51 Nocaster® pickups, this guitar has all the clarity and twang you would expect from an early-‘50s Tele®, but with a bit of extra power on tap. This Tele also features the "Fat ‘50s Tele" wiring setup. This is achieved by connecting the tone pot to the output of the volume pot (middle lug) instead of the input. Many late fifties guitars of all brands were wired this way, but it can be done with any guitar. This will have two major effects on the tone:
First, the overall tone gets stronger with a more transparent bloom. Second, the typical treble loss that occurs when rolling back the volume is much less, and both the volume and tone controls react more smoothly and more evenly, without the typical hot spots. As a side effect, it’s easier to clean up an overdriven amp by simply rolling back the volume on the guitar a bit. Many of the Fender Master Builders prefer this hook up.
Other features include a single-ply black pickguard, a period correct bridge with brass saddles, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut and disk string tree. Also includes a deluxe tweed hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
If you're looking for a classic mid-50's style Tele, with a fat but comfortable neck to grab and classic Tele twang, this is a great consideration. Come to Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.
- Weight: 7.2 lbs
- Serial # R142683
- Model # 9236091068
- Series: Time Machine
- Color: Faded Aged Nocaster Blonde
- Finish Package: Journeyman Relic
- Body: 2-Piece Select Ash Off-Center, Sort for Light Weight
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer with Heavy Checking
- Neck Material: Rift Sawn Maple
- Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Neck Tint: Medium
- Neck Shape: 1954 "U"
- Fingerboard Radius: 7.25 - 9.50" Vintage Compound
- Number of Frets: 21
- Frets Size: Medium Vintage
- String Nut: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.625"
- Depth at 1st Fret: .940"
- Depth at 12th Fret: .970"
- Position Inlays: Micarta Black
- Decal: Vintage Silver Fender Tele
- Neck Text Notes: Heavy Relic Back of Neck, Heavy Fret Ghosting
- Pickups: Custom Shop Hand-Wound 51 Nocaster
- Wiring: Fat 50's Tele
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
- Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
- Bridge: Vintage Tele
- Hardware Finish: Chrome / Nickel
- Tuning Machines: Vintage Style
- Pickguard: Single Ply Black
- Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome
- Included Accessories: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity