Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Levi Perry 1967 Telecaster Closet Classic Ghost Finish

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of amazing guitars.  This out of this world Telecaster is a result of this partnership.  Here's the story, which starts in the Summer of Love in 1967....

In a meeting with Masterbuilder Levi Perry, we presented an idea: a recreation of a prototype guitar made in the late 1960's.  It was a unique time period, full of creativity and psychedelia.  Fender jumped in with both feet, at least in this case.  For the 1968 NAMM show, Fender presented two guitars that look completely normal in regular light - but under UV light, a special "ghost finish" appeared.  One was a Floral pattern, and the other was a Swirl pattern.  The UV-reactive paint created a trippy effect, only to be seen under special lights.  These were the only two ever made, only one of which is in circulation today.

Being fans of Fender history and music from this time period (and perhaps psychedelic styles as well) we saw an opportunity to have some fun and create something crazy.  Thankfully, Levi Perry jumped at the chance and his enthusiasm for the project showed us that we made the right call.  He experimented until he found the right technique - the end result was mind-blowing.  Here we have the only new Ghost Tele out there.  At first glance, it's a Blonde Tele.  Hit the lights - and then it comes alive.

We chose to do this one as a tribute, not a full-on recreation.  This is partly out of respect for the original creation, and partly to allow Levi creative freedom.  His design on the body utilizes several different colors, and carries onto the pickguard - but it also goes underneath (a clear pickguard is included, so it can be swapped out).  As you travel the course of the neck, more designs appear, culminating in an explosive headstock.  Small flourishes can also be found on the knobs, switch tip and elsewhere.

We'll pause here, so you can take a moment to reexamine the photos.  This was a hard one to shoot - hats off to our team for finding a way to showcase the amazing finish.

Of course, this is a Masterbuilt Telecaster, so it's not just about looks - it also plays and sounds amazing.  The maple neck is super comfortable.  We chose the '60 Oval C neck shape, as it's the most popular neck shape, but also went a bit thicker (.840 - .940) to give it a more vintage feel.  We did add the modern playability touch of a 9.5" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets, both of which are the most popular customizations.  The alder body is super light and noticeably resonant, even when unplugged.

At Levi's suggestion we went with Handwound '67 Tele pickups.  Partly to keep it true to the vintage spec, but also because these pickups sound amazing.  They give you the original tone that plays love, thanks in part to a vintage stagger, alnico 5 magnets and enamel wire.  These are lower output pickups, period correct with grey bobbins and copper baseplates.  If you like the warmth of the late 60's along with crystal clear Tele twang, this is the set.

  

The guitar is rounded out with period correct vintage tuners, bridge, string tree, neck plate and other hardware.  It comes with a Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.  Levi also included the UV flashlight he bought for the building of this guitar.  We suggest getting strong black lights to really display the guitar the right way.

A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind - there's nothing else out there like it.  Turn on, tune in, drop out - but first come to Truetone Music to see it yourself, or order it right here right now.  

 

About the Masterbuilder:
Levi Perry started at Fender’s U.S. production final assembly department in 2012 fresh out of high school in Riverside, Calif., where he was born and raised. He moved to the Custom Shop three years later in 2015 as a Relic artisan and tune tester and soon moved to service repair. After another three years he was promoted to Masterbuilder Apprentice in 2018.

While an apprentice Perry served as a “floater”, which meant that he worked with and learned from each Masterbuilder individually. He worked on many prestigious builds during this period, including the Game of Thrones series, the Limited Edition Phil Lynott Precision Bass, the Limited Edition George Harrison Rocky Strat, the Limited Edition El Mocambo Heavy Relic Stratocaster and Telecaster models, and many other collections and artist instruments.

• Part # 9211003313
• Serial # R126060
• Weight: 7.2 lbs
• Base Model: 1967 Telecaster
• Finish Package: Closet Classic
• Color: Blonde / Ghost
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Shape: 60 Style Oval C 
• Depth at 1st Fret: .840"
• Depth at 12th Fret: .940"
  
• 1.650" Nut Width; 2.200" Butt Width
• 9.50" radius
• Frets: 6105 narrow Tall
• Black Micarta Dots
• Bone Nut
• Decal: 67 - 76 Tele
• Tuners: Vintage Schaller F
• Bridge: V67 Tele
• Chrome/Nickel Hardware
• Pickups: Custom Shop Handwound 67 Tele
• 3-way Switch
  
• Modern Wiring
• Knurled Chrome Knobs
• Pickguard: 3-ply Black (Clear pickguard included)
  
• Neck Plate: Vintage with F Logo
  
• Custom Shop Hardshell case with Certificate of Authenticity and Strap