Fender Custom Shop 1952 Telecaster Relic
Loads of vintage vibe from this ‘52 Blackguard reissue. This one dates to 2015 but such is the quality of the relic job that it does a very convincing impersonation of an original ‘52 Blackguard - without the eye watering price tag. A stunning guitar.
UK BUYERS You can purchase this guitar with next available day, fully insured shipping to any UK address by using the 'Add To Cart' button. Shipping costs = an additional £70. Or use the ‘enquire’ button for general questions.
NON UK BUYERS Please use the ‘enquire’ button and we will get back to you with shipping costs.
*Gallery and description below. Click on thumbnails to view in full screen*
One of the true iconic guitars and historically perhaps the most important solid body electric, the original Fender Telecaster (under its original Broadcaster name) was the first mass produced solid body electric guitar when it was introduced in 1950. The Broadcaster name was quickly dropped when Fender were issued with a cease and desist order from Gretsch who had a drum kit by the same name. After a brief period of having no name (or Nocaster as they have become known) the Telecaster name was settled on in late 1951.
Here is a Fender Custom Shop recreation of the a ’52 spec ‘Blackguard’ Telecaster with a couple of modern twists such as a more bend friendly 9.5” fretboard radius with narrow jumbo frets and modern wiring (neck, both, bridge) with Greasebucket Tone Circuit which rolls off the highs without adding bass.
The quality of the relic job from the Custom Shop is totally authentic and at first glance could be mistaken for a well-played but taken care of original ’52 Tele. The only give away visually is the Custom Shop logo on the back of the headstock.
Weighing a tad under 7lb (6lb 15oz) it is nice and lightweight and the correct ’52 spec U profile neck is comfortable to play. If you like skinny necks then this wouldn’t be right for you but if you are looking for an authentic Blackguard feel then this ticks the right boxes.
Acoustically the ash body is loud and resonant and has a good balance between a bright top end, a focused mid-range and some nice lower end grunt. The pair of Custom Shop ‘Nocaster” pick-ups are responsive and articulate and deliver all of the classic Tele tones you would expect.
This series of guitars never shipped with a floor traveller but the full specs from Fender Customer Services are below:
Model Name: 1952 Heavy Relic® Telecaster®,
Model Number: 1550052803, 1550052806, 1550052899
Series: Time Machine
Body: Ash
Neck: Riff Cut Maple with a Nocaster® “U” shape
Fingerboard: 1-piece Maple, 9.5” (241 mm) Radius
No. of Frets: 21, Narrow Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Machine Heads: American Vintage Tuning Machines
Bridge: Vintage Style with 3 Brass Saddles
Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment on (803), (806); 1-Ply Black on (899)
Pickups: Custom Shop Nocaster® Single-Coil
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master GreasebucketTM Tone Circuit (Rolls Off Highs without Adding Bass)
Colors: (1550052803) 2-Color Sunburst,
(1550052806) Black,
(1550052899) Nocaster Blonde
Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
Source: U.S. Fender Custom Shop
Accessories: Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity
Comes with the original G&G tweed case along with the COA, strap, lead and all of the case candy.
