Fender’s Custom Shop instruments represent the pinnacle of the brand’s craftsmanship, from hand-selected tonewoods to custom pickup winding, fine nitro finishes and expertly aged hardware. These are highly reliable guitars with unmistakable sound and remarkable playability.
The moment you pick it up, you realise this isn’t a museum replica. It’s a living instrument, organic, responsive, and perfectly considered. The chambered two-piece ash body with F-hole makes the guitar lighter without losing response. It’s quick to react, breathes with your picking dynamics, and delivers warm low mids and a beautiful acoustic resonance. It quickly becomes an extension of your hands.
The quartersawn maple neck hits the sweet spot: a Large “C” profile that fills the palm comfortably without strain, and a compound 7.25"–9.5" radius that flows naturally from rhythm to lead. The 6105 narrow tall frets give just the right amount of bounce and accuracy. It’s a neck built to be played, not pondered.
The hand-wound ’51 Nocaster pickups, mounted directly into the body as per the original design, deliver a rich, nuanced signal. The bridge pickup snaps with depth and never turns shrill, while the neck pickup is smooth and mellow yet articulate, with just a hint of air around the notes. The Fat ’50s Tele wiring enhances the interaction with the volume pot, allowing you to shape gain with your fingers while keeping the tone clear and intact.
We tested it through three very different amps, a wide-open Magnatone, a punchy Morgan AC, and a Friedman Dirty Shirley with American rock attitude, and it adapted seamlessly to each. It doesn’t colour the sound; it reveals it. Even at low volumes, there’s a natural acoustic feel that invites expressive playing.
The Aged Two-Tone Sunburst Relic finish is subtle yet striking, with tasteful checking and wear in all the right places. Nothing looks forced, it’s Custom Shop ageing done right. The black pickguard, relic’d vintage tuners, and RSD saddles complete a classic and refined aesthetic.
2-year warranty from our workshop.
