Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 1963 Telecaster Journeyman Relic Aged 3-Tone Sunburst With Case

Ever since the Telecaster debuted in the early 1950's, it has seen many evolutions, modifications, alterations and colors.    By the 1960's, some important changes were seen, mainly in the addition of a rosewood fretboard.  Not only that, but a new neck shape, bridge design, pickups, and color options, gave the Telecaster a decidedly different feel, sound and look.  For many players, the early 60's Teles are the only way to go.

This Custom Shop 1963 Telecaster showcases why, creating a vintage vibe along with some modern tweaks.  It features a lightweight select alder body, a rock solid quartersawn maple neck with a 63 "C" neck shape, and Handwound Custom Shop Twisted Tele pickups.  The neck is topped with a dark AAA Rosewood (period correct round lam) fretboard.  It's spec'ed with a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets for easy playing and bending - this is one of the most common and popular modifications to vintage-styled guitars out of the Custom Shop. 

As for the look, this is a unique one from the Custom Shop.  It's Aged 3-Tone Sunburst with a matching headstock - that's something you rarely see on a sunburst guitar.  The way they did it is perfect.  The guitar has been give the Journeyman Relic finish treatment.  This creates the look and feel of a guitar that was played extensively for years, but also well taken care of.  There's finish checking, and small marks & chips, but nothing heavy.   This really is a beauty - and the tortoiseshell pickguard is a nice touch.

It's not all about the looks though - this guitar sounds downright amazing, thanks to some of the most popular Tele pickups out there.  It's loaded with the Handwound Custom Shop Twisted Tele set (normally a significant upcharge).  They deliver hot high-output Tele tone with a dash of sparkling Strat character. Each pickup is tailored to its position (neck and bridge) to achieve its individual sonic character. The neck pickup's taller bobbin is designed to accommodate more windings, combined with a slightly shorter bridge pickup bobbin for dark full-bodied midrange. Formvar-coated neck pickup magnet wire adds brightness and glassiness, while the enamel-coated bridge pickup magnet wire delivers warm vintage-style tones.  Flush-mount polepieces produce even string response and Alnico 5 magnets add more focus and enhanced dynamics.