What is a 'Heavy Relic' finish?

A Heavy Relic finish is a treatment applied by Fender Custom Shop luthier to simulate decades of heavy use. This includes significant paint wear, dings, scratches, and hardware tarnish to make a new guitar look and feel like a vintage original.

Which pickups are used in this '59 Telecaster model?

This model is equipped with Custom Wound '63 single-coil pickups. These are designed to provide vintage voicings that recreate the classic 1950s and 60s Telecaster twang.

What fretboard material is used on this guitar?

The guitar features a rosewood fretboard. It is described as being sleek, soft, and supple, offering a superb depth of tone compared to maple alternatives.

What is the typical price for this Fender Custom Shop model?

This specific Fender Custom Shop '59 Telecaster Heavy Relic is typically priced at approximately £3,999. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific dealer and region.

What finish color is applied to this specific unit?

This guitar features an Aged Olympic White finish. The 'Aged' aspect means the white has been yellowed and distressed to match the appearance of a vintage nitrocellulose finish.

Does the guitar come with modern or vintage reliability?

While the guitar is built to look like a vintage instrument, it is constructed with modern reliability. This ensures that the hardware and electronics perform consistently for professional gigging.

How does this model compare to a '61 Relic Telecaster?

While both are Custom Shop relics, the '59 model captures a specific transitional period. Differences often include pickup windings and neck profiles specific to their respective years.

Is the rosewood fretboard suitable for fast playing?

Yes, the fretboard is described as having a swift action. The rosewood is finished to be incredibly supple, allowing for smooth movement across the neck.

What musical genres is this Telecaster suited for?

Thanks to its '63 single-coil pickups, it is highly versatile. It is particularly well-suited for rock, country, blues, and any genre requiring '50s-style twang.

What is the significance of the #R134253 serial number?

The serial number R134253 identifies a specific unique instrument built by the Fender Custom Shop. It ensures the provenance and individual identity of this particular guitar.

How does the sound differ from a Les Paul Standard 50s?

The Telecaster uses single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck, producing a brighter, 'twangier' sound. In contrast, a Les Paul with P90s or humbuckers typically offers a thicker, darker tone with more sustain.

Is this guitar suitable for beginners?

While anyone can play it, this is a professional-grade Custom Shop instrument with a premium price of £3,999. Beginners might typically look at more accessible options like the Squier Mini Stratocaster or Stagg SES-30BK.

Gear article

Fender Custom Shop '59 Telecaster Heavy Relic

The Fender Custom Shop '59 Telecaster Heavy Relic is a high-end electric guitar designed to replicate the aesthetics and performance of a vintage 1959 model. Featuring an Aged Olympic White finish and hand-crafted aging, it combines period-correct 1960s-voiced electronics with modern reliability.

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Overview

The Fender Custom Shop '59 Telecaster Heavy Relic represents a meticulous recreation of a pivotal era in Fender's history. Positioned as a premium instrument within the Custom Shop lineup, it is intended to provide the experience of a guitar that has seen decades of professional use. This specific model, finished in Aged Olympic White, focuses on the transitional period of the late 1950s when Fender began incorporating rosewood fretboards into their designs.

Design and Construction

This instrument features a 'Heavy Relic' treatment, which involves a labor-intensive process of simulated wear, including finish checking, hardware oxidation, and significant wood exposure. Key physical attributes include:

Rosewood Fretboard: A detailed, dark slab that offers a sleek and supple playing surface with a specific tonal depth.
Hardware: Period-accurate bridge and tuning machines designed to maintain the vintage aesthetic while offering modern tuning stability.
Finish: The Aged Olympic White nitrocellulose lacquer is applied to allow the wood to breathe and age naturally over time.

Electronics and Sound

The guitar is equipped with Custom Wound '63 single-coil pickups. These electronics are engineered to elicit the classic '50s and early '60s 'twang' associated with the rock revolution. The '63 voicing provides a balance of clarity and punch, making the guitar suitable for a wide range of genres, from early rock and roll to country and blues. The combination of the rosewood board and these specific pickups results in a warm, resonant tone with a swift, responsive action.

Target Audience and Market Comparison

Priced at approximately £3,999, this guitar is aimed at serious collectors and professional musicians who require a vintage-style instrument without the fragility or astronomical cost of a true 1959 original. Compared to other Custom Shop offerings like the '61 Relic in Aztec Gold, the '59 model offers a specific mid-transition feel. While it competes with other high-end options like the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s, its unique single-coil character and bolt-on construction define its distinct place in the market.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a 'Heavy Relic' finish?: A Heavy Relic finish is a treatment applied by Fender Custom Shop luthier to simulate decades of heavy use. This includes significant paint wear, dings, scratches, and hardware tarnish to make a new guitar look and feel like a vintage original.
Which pickups are used in this '59 Telecaster model?: This model is equipped with Custom Wound '63 single-coil pickups. These are designed to provide vintage voicings that recreate the classic 1950s and 60s Telecaster twang.
What fretboard material is used on this guitar?: The guitar features a rosewood fretboard. It is described as being sleek, soft, and supple, offering a superb depth of tone compared to maple alternatives.
What is the typical price for this Fender Custom Shop model?: This specific Fender Custom Shop '59 Telecaster Heavy Relic is typically priced at approximately £3,999. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific dealer and region.
What finish color is applied to this specific unit?: This guitar features an Aged Olympic White finish. The 'Aged' aspect means the white has been yellowed and distressed to match the appearance of a vintage nitrocellulose finish.
Does the guitar come with modern or vintage reliability?: While the guitar is built to look like a vintage instrument, it is constructed with modern reliability. This ensures that the hardware and electronics perform consistently for professional gigging.
How does this model compare to a '61 Relic Telecaster?: While both are Custom Shop relics, the '59 model captures a specific transitional period. Differences often include pickup windings and neck profiles specific to their respective years.
Is the rosewood fretboard suitable for fast playing?: Yes, the fretboard is described as having a swift action. The rosewood is finished to be incredibly supple, allowing for smooth movement across the neck.
What musical genres is this Telecaster suited for?: Thanks to its '63 single-coil pickups, it is highly versatile. It is particularly well-suited for rock, country, blues, and any genre requiring '50s-style twang.
What is the significance of the #R134253 serial number?: The serial number R134253 identifies a specific unique instrument built by the Fender Custom Shop. It ensures the provenance and individual identity of this particular guitar.
How does the sound differ from a Les Paul Standard 50s?: The Telecaster uses single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck, producing a brighter, 'twangier' sound. In contrast, a Les Paul with P90s or humbuckers typically offers a thicker, darker tone with more sustain.
Is this guitar suitable for beginners?: While anyone can play it, this is a professional-grade Custom Shop instrument with a premium price of £3,999. Beginners might typically look at more accessible options like the Squier Mini Stratocaster or Stagg SES-30BK.