Fender Esquire Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1958), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 027657, Blonde lacquer re- finish, ash body, maple neck.
This is a refinished and lightly 'Relic'ed" 1958 Esquire, a lovely instrument in its own right but with a long history making it not a "collector grade" guitar. Piece by piece: The neck it an original Fender Telecaster neck dated 4-58, with mostly later finish but some original lacquer remaining on the headstock and heel. It feels like the spine was rounded down a bit when it was refinished, it is a very comfortable profile. The frets and fingerboard finish are recent. The Kluson tuners are period correct but some other tuners were on at some point. The Fender decal is somewhat worn, it appears to be an older repro but has been there for some time. There is some wear/checking/overspray to the headstock face and a spot where an old cigarette burn by the low E tuner appears to have been scraped away.
The body is refinished in the correct white/blonde lacquer although perhaps a bit thicker and shinier than the original, with some wear and dings. This is one of the last of the "back loader" bodies before Fender temporarily modified the Telecaster family to eliminate the through-body stringing for a couple of years. The bridge and saddles are original, as is the control plate, serial # plate and strap buttons. The pickup is a bit of a mystery; it does not appear to be an original 1950's Fender unit though it is a close facsimile of a raised-pole, black bobbin '58; we were told it "had been in a drawer for about 30 years" but its origins are lost. No matter, it sounds great with all the proper twang and snap and we like it! The wiring rig and knobs are correct modern repros, as is the pickguard. This simplest of Fender guitars has survived decades of indignity and now rises again, a great gigging 1950's guitar at a fraction of the cost of an all-original example. We do not often stick heavily rebuilt guitars but fell in love with the vibe of this one, which is a real workhorse and ready to twang its way out into the world again!
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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.). An excellent playing and sounding guitar, this is basically a relic but built out of original wood and parts. Ready to go, a real 50's Fender you don't have to baby! Restored to Excellent Condition.
