The Fender Custom Shop “Telemaster”

[Sarge]

This instrument represents the prototype model for an upcoming run of Fender Custom Shop guitars, built exclusively for Make’n Music in Chicago.

The Fender Custom Shop “Telemaster” is based on an early-fifties Esquire/Telecaster platform with a Jazzmaster body shape. Although this model never went into production, these guitars were designed to look like some kind of “lost NAMM Show prototype” from the Pre-CBS era, and they certainly would have been perfectly at home in any vintage Fender catalog. A “sixties” version will also be available.

While it may look and feel like a vintage instrument, the Telemaster was designed from the ground up to be a true player’s guitar with both obvious and discrete features. For tonal versatility two additional, specially designed pickups are stealthily hidden underneath the pickguard and the reverse mounted control plate puts the volume and tone knobs in the perfect position for quick adjustments. And a 5-way selector switch provides modern switching ability. Additional player friendly specifications include a lightweight ash body, custom Make’n Music neck profile with 1-1 1/16" nut width, 9.5" fingerboard radius and 6105 frets.

As seen throughout this issue of Premier Guitar, there have been countless takes on the flagship models of Fender. Whether you’re looking for a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Telemaster, Telstar or just a new guitar whose cavities and components haven’t yet been customized, chances are you’ll find it on Gear Search. Log on to premierguitar.com/gear to browse more than 46,000 pieces of equipment and find your perfect combination.

[Sarge]

Ugly!

[GAR]

I would have tucked the cutaways southward another 3" inches, reversed the body, and kept the Jazzmaster original headstock.

They do some stupid shit over there and right now, some guy is dancing on a cloud that Premier Guitar covered "his" idiotic idea.

But I betcha theres' one whacko out there who's willing to pay 8 grand for this one-off, and is on the phone right now seeking to obtain it.

[Diamondjimi]

Fugly guitar!

It's got "Grunge Douchebag" written all over it....

[Panamark]

Why ??

Thats all I can say.....

[ZahZoo]

This obsession with relics is getting out of hand...

One thing that stood out on that pic. Was the added neck wear on mostly the higher non-wound strings. Real aged relics from actual playing would show more finish wear on the neck under the wound strings given they have a rougher finish to begin with.

What stood out was no wear in the 3rd fret under the low E... One of the most common hammer/bends in both rock and country is the transition from G to E chords with a pound and pull on the low E at the 3rd fret. I've seen many old guitars with a valley worn there in the fretboard than anywhere else... the next common area is the 2nd fret under the D & G strings.

The neck discoloration below shows what a real relic looks like from actual playing. Note the discoloration under the wound strings...

[Matt White]

Yup...that guitar is uglier than a bag full of assholes!

[jhale667]

That guitar is indeed fugly. And the neck-wear IS a bit overdone.

Here's an actual 20+ year old unfinished maple neck that's seen a lot of use...nowhere near that exaggerated an effect, though I DO steel-wool her fairly regularly...

[Coyote]

I think I've seen that one before...









































In my nightmares...

[ELVIS]

It looks pretty playable and comfy to hold...

Looks cheap though...

How much could it possibly cost to make such a simple guitar...

And I just don't care for relics...they're fake and not worn in by any means...

I can beat up my own guitars just fine...