Fender Custom Shop 1961 Telecaster Custom Closet Classic Black

One of the most classic and timeless guitars in the history of guitars, the Fender Telecaster received a bit of a facelift about 10 years into its existence, with the addition of binding on both sides of the body.  This was known as the "Telecaster Custom".  During this same era, Fender switch from maple to rosewood fretboards.  For this particular Custom Shop piece, we aimed to give birth to a classic, in a classy style.  The result is the refined Telecaster Custom in the "tuxedo" aesthetic - Black with white binding.

The select alder body is light and will be comfortable to play standing up all night.  The guitar has a very thin lacquer finish to give it authentic feel.  The "Closet Classic" treatment creates the look of a guitar that was born in 1961, but then never played, stored in a closet, and pulled out of the case decades later.  We specifically asked for a lot of checking in the finish, but no dings, dents or scratches.

The guitar features a rift sawn, lightly tinted maple neck with a very comfortable 60's Oval "C" shape.  It's capped with super, super dark rosewood fretboard (we specifically asked for the darkest piece they could find).  The 7.25 - 9.5" compound radius is very unique and something Fender just started offering in the Custom Shop a few years ago.  It gives you a an old school vintage feel in the first position with the 7.25" radius.  It then evolves into a 9.5" radius as you go up the neck.  That gives you a more modern feel, allowing you to bend to your heart's content without fretting out.  Speaking of frets, we went with 6150 (medium jumbo) frets.  The vintage compound radius and those frets has become one of the most popular spec combinations on Custom Shop guitars, as it's the blend of originality and modern playability.  That's why picked them for this Tele.

Handwound pickups (normally an upcharge) give you the classic early 60's Tele sound - perfect for both clean and dirty sounds.  We went with the classic '63 Tele pickups, as those have proven to be some of the most popular Tele pickups from the custom shop.  They provide a brightness and clarify without getting to "shrill", and rolling the tone knob back a bit gives you the ability to get a very warm, darker sound.

Comes with a black Custom Shop branded case, strap and certificate of authenticity. 

This is a special Tele - you can see and hear why for yourself by coming to Club Fender @ Truetone Music, or by ordering right here to be shipped to your home.

• Serial # R121758
• Weight: 7.8 lbs
• Finish Package: Closet Classic
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer - Very Thin
• Color:  Black
• Pickguard: 3-ply Parchment
• Neck Pickup:  Hand-wound Custom Shop '63 Tele
• Bridge Pickup:  Hand-Wound Custom Shop '63 Tele
• Body: 2 Piece Select Alder (off-center)
• Sort for Lightweight
• Binding:  White Nitro
• Neck: Rift Saw Maple 
  
• Tint: Light 
• Fretboard: Flat Lam Rosewood - Sort for Very Dark
• Dots: Micarta White
  
• Neck Shape: 60's Oval "C"
• Frets: 21
• Fretwire: 6150 (Medium Jumbo)
• Radius: 7.25 - 9.5" Compound
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .820"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .930"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Bone Nut
• Hardware: Base Model Chrome/Nickel
• Tuners: Vintage
• Bridge: Vintage 58 - 63 Tele
  
• Neck plate: Vintage
  
• Case: Brown Custom Shop