Used Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilder's Apprentice 50's Telecaster Relic 3-Tone Sunburst Sparkle with OHSC

The main calling card of this guitar is the AAAA Flame Maple neck - be sure to check out the photos.  The roasted treatment darkens it up and also helps to accentuate the grain.  Nick did an amazing job on the finish, as the worn in back of the neck gives this guitar a super comfortable, vintage feel.  If you like fat necks, this is the one for you - it's a Nocaster "U" neck shape, measuring .950" - 1.00".   It's not for the faint of heart!  The 9.5" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets make it easy to play, even when bending up high on the neck.

The body is ash, painted in vibrant 3-Tone Sunburst Sparkle lacquer finish.  Nick absolutely nailed the relic'ing work on this one, which is no surprise.  We've seen his work on Teambuilt instruments for years, and he's one of the best.  Also, this guitar is a great weight, coming in under 7 lbs (6.9 to be exact).

For the pickups, that's where it gets interesting.  The guitar came with Custom Shop handwound Twisted Tele pickups., but were replaced by Larry Cragg with Lindy Fralin Tele pickups.  They're not just any Fralin pickups either - they were specifically wound for Cragg himself.   They provide classic vintage Telecaster tone with increased output, giving you just enough bite to cut through the mix, while not overdoing it.  According to Cragg, he wanted Alnico V magnets on the bass strings and Alnico II on the treble strings, with the pickups 5% overwound.  We love how they sound and think you will too - but if you don't, you could reinstall the original pickups (they come with the guitar).

 

Another tweak that Larry Cragg made was this: flattening the bridge blate so that it touches the body all the way across, with two screws in the front to hold the plate down.  This increases the connection of it to the body, improving the tone and sustain.

The guitar has present day Tele wiring (no dark circuit) with the tone saver feature, allowing you to roll down the volume without losing tone.  This is a popular mod that players have loved for years, as it makes the guitar super versatile in different settings.  

This guitar has all of the mojo of a vintage instrument, with the twist coming with the pickups, the bridge, and of course the finish.  It comes with the original hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.

• Serial # CZ550620
• Model# 9236008781
• Weight: 6.9 lbs
• Finish Package: Relic
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Color: 3-Tone Sunburst Sparkle
• Body: Ash
  
• Neck: Roasted AAAA Flame Maple
• Neck Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Neck Note: Heavy Relic; Finish removed from back of neck
• Neck Shape: Nocaster U
• Frets: 21
  
• Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .950"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  1.00"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Pickguard: Gold Anodized
• Pickups: Custom Shop Twisted Tele - Replaced with Lindy Fralin Larry Cragg Tele Pickups
• Bone Nut
  
• Tuners: Vintage
• String Guide: Vintage Disk
• Bridge: Vintage 63 Tele with Gatton Saddles; Modified by Larry Cragg
• Neck Plate: V Logo
• Switch: 3 way
  
• Wiring: Modern, with Tone Saver
  
• Case: Custom Shop Black