2023 Fender Custom Shop '64 Telecaster Relic

First released in 2023, the '64 reissue Telecaster relic is an excellent tribute to the rosewood-board Teles of the early 1960s.

While it's hard to fathom these six decades later, sales for Fender’s Telecaster models experienced a slump in the early 1960s due to the successes of the Stratocaster and the newly introduced offset models. the slab-bodied Telecaster - with its single cut-away, uncontoured body, simple electronics, and its lack of vibrato - was seen as somewhat outdated by guitar buyers in the early 1960s. As such, early '60s Telecasters are rather uncommon guitars, regardless that we consider them among the finest Fender instruments of the pre-CBS era. 

This 2023 offering from Fender's Custom Shop is a well-designed modern take on the curved rosewood board Telecaster guitars made in the early 1960s. The full neck profile, akin to those carved in 1963 and 1964 is remarkably comfortable, and the 6105 frets and 9.5” fretboard radius makes playability and bending notes really quite heavenly. The C carve is comfortable, rounded and rolled, and features a 1st fret thickness of .837”. Equipped with a set of Texas Special pickups, the guitar offers vintage inspired Telecaster tones with a bit more power and depth on account of their higher output. Expect a thick, full-bodied voice with excellent note separation and bite in the bridge position, complemented by an open, warm, and airy response from the neck pickup. The blond finish has been tastefully relic'd, giving the guitar a nicely worn in feel and vibe. 

This lightly used Telecaster remains in near-mint condition. The original frets are unworn and play very well throughout the fingerboard. The only blemish to be found that is not part of the Custom Shop's relicing process is a pair of small dents in the back of the neck behind the 13th fret. 

Pickup DC values measure 9.8k (bridge) and 8.7k (neck). 7lbs 14oz.

With original hardshell case, COA, and case candy.