Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Paul Waller Baritone Telecaster Custom Deluxe Closet Classic Shoreline Gold

 One of a Kind Masterbuilt Paul Waller Baritone Telecaster Custom

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of amazing guitars.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  No matter what, they always knock it out of the park!

This very unique Baritone Telecaster Custom s a result of this partnership.  We met with Masterbuilder Paul Waller, came up with the idea, and worked on the design together.  That was the genesis of this unbelievably awesome guitar.   We really didn't know what the outcome would be when originally spec'ing it out, but couldn't be happier with the result.  It's truly unique.  

One of the first things you'll notice, of course, is that this is not a normal Telecaster.  It's a Baritone - which is the second one we've done with Waller.  For this one, we decided to add the extra twist of it having a Bigsby B-5, for those that want even more expressive possibilities.  Additionally, the bridge has a Custom Shop RSD saddle.  That's not all this unique: the traditional Tele neck pickup is gone, replaced by a Lollar Gold Foil.  More on that in a minute.

You'll also notice the color: Shoreline Gold.  This rarely seen color looks great, especially with the Deluxe Closet Classic finish.  It has the looks of a guitar that was made decades ago, but left unplayed, until now.  So, there's not wear, but there is aging in the form of finish fading and checking.  The body is double-bound, which is a nice touch.  Waller did an amazing job with this, and as great as the photos look it's even better in person.
 
The guitar is surprisingly light, considering that it's a Baritone Tele with a Bigsby - this one weighs in at just 7.3 lbs.  The select Ash body is very resonant.  The neck is amazing too, being made from a sturdy piece of Quartersawn Maple.  It has all of the feel & comfort you would expect from a masterbuilt instrument, especially with the Large "C" neck shape, which is perfect for a Baritone Tele like this.  Waller really does amazing work with the fine details on a neck, from the perfectly seated frets, rolled edges and overall playability.  Right off the bat, it's one of the best playing baritone guitars we've ever had here, and we've had a lot.  It's topped with a dark AAA Rosewood fretboard that has a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets.  This makes it extremely easy to play, even up high on the neck when bending notes.  

Of course, it's not just about the looks or even just the feel - this Baritone Tele Custom really shines when plugged in.  For the pickups, we entirely went with Waller's suggestions.  Here's what they are:

Neck: Lollar Gold Foil  -  Thanks to the acoustic transparency, it's one of the most versatile pickups that Lollar offers, or anyone for that matter.  If you play softly, the fundamental tones are round and full and come to the forefront. Increase your pick attack and you add more high harmonic overtones. Well suited for a variety of playing styles as well as guitars.  It's the perfect fit for this Baritone Tele - clear and transparent, without being overly bass heavy.  Speaking of "fit", this pickup was inserted into a P90 casing, so if you wanted to swap it out for a P90 in the future, the routing is there for you to do so.

Bridge: Custom Shop Handwound Broadcaster  -  Recreation of one of Leo Fender's earliest designs, it gives you the extra twang usually only heard on an early 50's Tele.  It's the most requested pickup on Custom Shop Tele's, for good reason - it's the epitome of the classic Tele sound.  You'll get top end chime and warm lows that work perfectly on a Baritone Tele like this.

The guitar is rounded out with vintage tuners, string tree, neck plate and other hardware to keep it "period correct" to the '60's.  It comes with a Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.

Paul Waller is a Southern California native with woodworking in his blood. He built his first guitar at age 14 in his high school woodshop, and after graduating from the acclaimed Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in 2000, joined Fender in 2003. He spent two years working closely with master arch-top craftsman Bob Benedetto, and became steeped in the many facets of building techniques from all the Custom Shop’s Master Builders. After an extensive seven-year apprenticeship, Waller became a Master Builder in 2010.  Since then, his work has become known all over the world, and is responsible for some of the most prestigious and recognizable guitars to come from Fender.  We've been fortunate enough to receive a few of them, including the famed 9-Neck guitar in 2018.  Not only are Waller's talents amazing, he is also a pleasure to work with, and we're always happy to partner with him on designing unique guitars like this one.

A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.

• Serial # R127488
• Weight: 7.3 lbs
• Model# 9211002708
• Finish Package: Deluxe Closet Classic
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Color: Shoreline Gold
• Body: Ash
• Binding: Parchment
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Tint: Medium
• Neck Shape: Large "C"
• Fretboard: AAA Rosewood - Sort for Dark
• Frets: 21
• Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .850"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  .920"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Pickguard:  3-ply Parchment
• Neck Pickup: Lollar Gold Foil
• Bridge Pickup:  Custom Shop Handwound Broadcaster
• Bone Nut
• Tuners: Vintage
• String Guide: Vintage
• Bridge: Bigsby B-5 with Custom Shop RSD
• Neck Plate: Vintage
• Switch: 3 way toggle
• Case: Custom Shop Brown