Fender Custom Shop Painters Choice 2 59 Telecaster NOS Transparent Crimson Burst

1959 is not just known as a magical year in the guitar world, it's also known as a transition year for Fender specifically.  This is when both the Stratocaster and Telecaster underwent serious changes, most significantly being when maple transitioned to rosewood for the fretboard.  Guitars made in this specific year are seen with both.  This Tele represents an all-time classic with features including a slimmer, fast playing neck, an ash body underneath a transparent finish, white pickguard, and some of the best Tele pickups ever made. With this guitar, the Fender Custom Shop has created a Tele that's not only amazing but also a one-of-a-kind.

This one is an NOS (New Old Stock), so there's no aging or wear whatsoever.  The Custom Shop is well-known for its Relics, but a lot of players want their guitar to be new & shiny - that's who this is for.  It looks like it just left the factory yesterday.  It's a lacquer finish, so of course it will age over time - but that's for the player to do naturally.

Now, about the Painter's Choice designation.  Here at Truetone, we're always trying to come up with something truly unique that you haven't seen before.  It's what we have the most fun with.  We have a very close partnership with the Fender Custom Shop, and presented an idea that hadn't been done before:  having the esteemed paint specialist Jay Nelson choose the color.  Our feeling is that he is super talented, creative and an unsung hero of the Custom Shop.  Thus, he should get the opportunity to do a guitar as he wished.  Our only instructions were that it had to be unique.  A run of guitars were put on order, and this is the second to arrive.  We were thrilled as soon as we saw it.  Per Jay Nelson, we're calling the color Transparent Crimson Burst.  It shows the wood grain of the ash body in a beautiful way, and is quite stunning.

Now, back to the guitar itself - after all, aesthetics are important, but it's really about what the feel and sound is like.  You may notice that it's light - just 6.9 lbs.  The ash body is super resonant, and the grain shows nicely.  We went with the most popular neck shape for Custom Shop guitars - the 60's Oval C (measuring .790 - .930").  It's slim, easy to grip, and allows for fast movement.  The more modern tweak is a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets for easy playing and bending - this is one of the most common and popular modifications to vintage-styled guitars out of the Custom Shop.  We also specified rolled fingerboard edges, and for the finish to be removed from the back of the neck - it's something we ask for often.  This is a nice addition to really make the guitar comfortable to play. 

For the pickups, we went for a classic combination.  This Telecaster is equipped with a Custom Shop hand-wound Original Blackguard bridge pickup, known for its throaty midrange and bite, and a Custom Shop hand-wound Twisted Tele neck pickup, known for its crystalline clarity. Together, these pickups offer astonishing versatility and deliver the classic Tele tone with a touch of Strat-like sparkle.  The tone that comes out of this guitar is simply incredible.

Almost everything else on this Tele is period correct, from the 58 - 63 bridge, classic tuners, and clay dots.  The guitar includes a special blonde Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity. 

Come to Truetone Music to check out this one-off Telecaster, or order here right now for it to be sent straight to your home.