Fender Telecaster Custom Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1959), made in Fullerton, California, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, Brazilian rosewood slab fingerboard on maple neck, original brown tolex hard shell case.
Here is a fabulous, very early example of one of Fender's most attractive guitars with an exceptional provenance.
This Custom Tele was owned by Pete Anderson and used extensively on many projects including much of his long association with Dwight Yoakam. Some of the best country records of the 1980's and 90's feature the sound of this guitar. The electronics were custom-designed for Anderson by Seymour Duncan, and include hand-wound pickups (the bridge PU is personally signed by Duncan) and a remarkably compact clean boost circuit designed by audio architect Jim Williams nestled between the pots. Not surprisingly, this is one of the best-playing and sounding Telecasters we have ever come across.
The Telecaster Custom was Fender's first attempt at 'upscaling' their original Spanish electric; by 1959, the Telecaster was a nearly ten year old design! The addition of body binding, a sunburst finish, and a slab rosewood fingerboard was intended to dress up the Telecaster and Esquire and make for a slightly more expensive package.
"Two fender Favorites have a startling new look", exclaimed the 1959 brochure introducing the new models. The "Custom" models were introduced at the NAMM show in June 1959, so this guitar, with a body date of 5/59, would be one of the very first examples made.
The three-layer celluloid pickguard was another "custom" appointment; the standard Telecasters kept the single-layer white 'guard for several more years. The Custom models were not sold in large numbers�while more striking-looking, they offered no practical advantage over the regular Telecasters and were somewhat more expensive.
This is one of the earliest dated Telecaster Customs we are aware of, and a very rare and historically interesting guitar.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.).
Well-played but not abused�noticeable wear to the back of the neck and buckling to the back of the body. All original except for custom (vintage style) pickup array as detailed above with miniature boost circuitry�very slight routing under the control plate.
A fabulous-playing and sounding guitar with a supremely powerful twang.
Includes a letter of authenticity from Pete Anderson and a picture of him with the guitar. Very Good + Condition.
