Fender 52 Esquire Custom Shop Relic Jason Smith Masterbuilt HB MBJS Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (2014), made in Corona, CA, serial # R11613, Blonde lacquer finish, ash body, maple neck, original tweed hard shell case.
This 2014 Fender Custom Shop "52 Esquire Custom Shop Relic" was 'Masterbuilt' just over 15 years ago by highly respected Fender Master Builder Jason Smith. The COA designates it as "52 Esquire Relic HBMBJS. The body is finished in Vintage blonde lacquer with the correct features for a 1952 Esquire fitted with a neck position humbucker as was common in the 1970s. The Humbucker rout has "JS" stamped in on the bottom; the pickup itself is by Seymour Duncan. The flame maple neck has a much thinner, more accurate profile than some of the overtly log-like necks Fender has lately leaned towards on many 2000s '50s style Teles and is very comfortable. The guitar appears not much used and comes with all the case candy including the Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity signed by Jason Smith in the original hard case.
Overall length is 38 3/8 in. (97.5 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.)., 7.1 lbs.
This guitar appears to be in lightly played condition, appearing not too much used over the last nearly 15 years. Of course it has been artifically worn and looks like it's been rode hard for 70+ years, but then that's the idea. The previous owner tried a couple of different later pattern pickguards (tortoise and "green" nitro, still in the case) with the '60s screw pattern so there are a couple of extra small holes under the original 5-screw black guard from these installations. The frets show some very light wear and the guitar performs exactly as it should, a sweet sounding and ready to gig modern "Old" Esquire with a "Keef-ey" neck-humbucker vibe built by one of the best. Overall Excellent + Condition.
