Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster NOS Santa Monica Sparkle Truetone Color Set

As part of a close partnership with the Fender Custom Shop, Truetone Music cooked up an exclusive run of guitars, known as "Truetone Color Sets".  It's where we do a quartet of instruments - Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jazz bass - all in the same color, as a matching set.  For the colors, we picked unique ones that are rarely ever seen.  In this case, it's one never seen, as it's never been done.  Officially, it's called Silver Natural Sparkle, but we're going with the moniker of "Santa Monica Sparkle", as it was dreamt up right here, and represents the beach city well.

This one of the coolest and most finishes we've seen.  It's not shown in the list of Custom Shop colors, as it's never really existed.  Credit goes to Truetone vet Louis Castillo, who made the suggestion for a "natural sparkle" while we were dreaming up unique guitars to do.  At first, it elicited a laugh - and then we realized the potential.  We worked directly with the Fender Custom Shop's paint expert, Jay Nelson, who ran several prototypes until we settled on the final version.  It started as a single guitar - but once we saw it, we knew it had to be done as a full set.  It's even better than we thought it would be.

We'll pause now to allow time for viewing of the photos - which came out great but don't truly represent how cool this finish is.  Faced straight on, you don't see the sparkle that much, but at an angle or in certain light (especially when moving) it really comes out.

While the majority of Custom Shop guitars have some level of aging, from Closet Classic to Super Heavy Relic, we went in the opposite direction - we chose to do this guitar as an NOS (New Old Stock) piece.  The reason is simple: this one is just too beautiful to do anything besides NOS!  The wood grain looks great behind the clear finish, and the sparkle is the definition of eye-catching.  The silver anodized pickguard ties it all together, and the Abalone inlays are the perfect finishing touch.

This Custom Shop '52 Telecaster is a testament to the Custom Shop's ability to pull off vintage recreations with modern playability.  It has a two-piece select ash body that is lightweight, and a solid maple neck with a 52 Style "U" neck shape.   We went 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.  Additionally, we did a slightly slimmed down version of the '52 Style "U" neck shape, to make it a bit more accessible to more players.
 
For the pickups, we chose a classic combination, one of the most requested in the Custom Shop.  The bridge pickup is a '51 Nocaster, created with the original design in mind to accurately provide the twang and shimmer of what the first Teles had.  This period correct single coil pickup imparts tight low end and clear, balanced midrange, with a precise top end that can be both smooth and sizzling. The neck position has a Custom Shop Twisted Tele pickup - it gives you classic Tele tone, with added output and a touch of Stratocaster sparkle.  The neck pickup is designed for added brightness and glassiness, whereas the bridge pickup wiring provides twang along with warmer, vintage-style tones. With those 2 pickups combined, this Tele gives you everything you need.
 
Other features include a Custom Shop-exclusive RSD Tele bridge with compensated saddles, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut and a silver anodized pickguard. Also includes a Custom Shop tweed hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

This could be one of more "special" Telecasters that we've had come through here, and one of the most gorgeous.  It's a truly unique piece.  Come to Truetone Music to check out this amazing guitar, or order here right now for it to be sent straight to your home.  

• Serial # R129571
• Weight: 7.6 lbs
• Part # 9231015594
• Base Model: 1952 Telecaster
• Finish Package: NOS
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Color: Silver Natural Sparkle
• Pickguard: Silver Anodized
• Body: 2 Piece Select Ash
• Neck: One Piece Select Maple
• Tint: Medium
• Neck Shape: 52 Style "U"
• Dots: Abalone
• Frets: 21
• Fretwire: Narrow Tall 6105
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .860"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  .920"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Nut: Bone
• Neck Pickup:  Custom Shop Twisted Tele
• Bridge Pickup:  Custom Shop  '51 Nocaster
  
• Wiring: Modern with 3-way switch
• Hardware: Chrome/Nickel
• Tuners: Vintage
• Bridge: RSD Tele
• Neck plate: Vintage
• Case: Custom Shop Deluxe Tweed