R. C. Kelly Bowery Wood Telecaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (2010), made in New York, NY, serial # #29, amber varnish finish, pine body and neck.
This R.C. Kelly Telecaster was built for, owned and played by "The Titan of the Telecaster" Bill Kirchen. Bill's renown as an innovator on the Tele can be traced back to his stint 40+ years ago with Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. He has traveled the world twanging ever since, working with the likes of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Link Wray and on to his most recent release Stems & Seeds. Kirchen is commonly regarded as one of the founders of the Americana genre, a real American treasure and just about one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He recently dropped by enroute long enough to leave us this guitar, one of several similar instruments in his stash, up for sale.
The guitar was delivered to Bill several years ago, and is now outfitted with Joe Barden T-style pickups, likely the "Danny Gatton" model. R.C. Kelly Telecasters are made in Greenwich village of reclaimed wood salvaged from 18th and 19th century buildings in lower Manhattan and are much in demand here in NY and beyond for their unique twist on the classic "Tele" recipe. The body is light and very figured, with knots and sap holes and is finished in a thin amber varnish. The neck is VERY thick, with a deep C profile and no truss rod. The control panel is mounted backwards, with the switch to the rear to allow easier "violining" of the volume control. This is a unique Tele-style guitar with great provenance and very cool vibe!
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.). Quite a bit of play and finish wear, some dings to the body, all contributed by MR. Kirchen. The back of the neck finish was scraped down slightly to Bill's specifications by noted pickup builder Lindy Fralin. This instrument is very loud when played unplugged, due at least in part to the resonance of recycled Bowery Pine. A unique Tele with provenance from two uniqie artists Overall Excellent - Condition.
