The Nameless Fender Legend Rides Again
Back in the early 1950s, Fender was in-between names for what would soon become their flagship Telecaster. A legal dispute over the guitar’s original name led to several hundred units that just said “Fender” on the headstock. But while the the name was up in the air, but this guitar’s features were only getting better and more refined. This Limited-edition '51 Nocaster Super Heavy Relic from Fender Custom Shop re-creates the much-beloved Nocaster in immaculate detail. From tonewoods used to hardware and pickup wiring, every nook and cranny of the ’51 Nocaster Super Heavy Relic is a period-accurate re-creation of this powerful Fender original. A stout but light ash body delivers authentic ‘50s tone paired with a rift-sawn maple neck and fingerboard for speedy fretting done in style. Powering this Nocaster’s tone are two smoking-hot single-coil pickups handwound by Fender — a '51 Blackguard and a '51 Nocaster. If you’re looking to own a piece of history without dishing out a fortune on the vintage market, now’s your chance! But quantities are limited, so act fast before this limited edition at Sweetwater runs out!
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Authentic tonewoods crafted to perfection
A thick but relatively light body captures the essence of the early '50s Fender feel. Expect bright and airy sound like with most classic Fender guitars, but with powerful sustain and a sensitive response to your dynamics. The ash body comes paired with a rift-sawn neck cut from premium maple sculpted into a versatile compound radius neck carve. The radius shifts from 7.25-inches to 9.5-inches across the length of the neck. This modern but practically invisible feature yields incredibly comfortable playability with just the right amount of anchor wood beneath your palm at either end of the neck.
Attitude-packed pickups
The Limited-edition '51 Nocaster Heavy Relic sports two beloved Fender pickups: a ’51 Nocaster in the bridge and a ’51 Blackguard in the neck. The bridge pickup captures the magic of the original Nocaster design, with twang and shimmer courtesy of tight low end and crystal-clear midrange. The neck Blackguard was first featured on early '50s Fenders such as the original Broadcaster and offers hot output with distinct midrange growl that outperforms most vintage single-coils. Paired with a 3-way selector and onboard controls, these pickups offer a wide spread of tones ranging from biting Telecaster twang to raunchy depth with big sustain.
Super Heavy Relic wear with stories to share
Relic’d guitar finishes are super common these days, but it was the Fender Custom Shop that first took the industry by storm with its groundbreaking synthetic aging process for guitars. Fender does Relic finishes better than all the rest, and the original Relic finish is still a smash hit. This Limited-edition '51 Nocaster Super Heavy Relic has an authentic nitrocellulose lacquer finish — thinner than today’s polyurethane finishes — which allows the wood to breathe and the tone to bloom. You get a look and feel that feels like it has seen its fair share of front-line action with a played-in feel and perfect fretwork. And like every fine instrument in Sweetwater’s Guitar Gallery, it’s been through our 55-point Inspection for guaranteed splendid playability right out of the box.
The Fender Custom Shop: where dreams are made
Since its founding in 1987, the Fender Custom Shop has been home to some of the finest luthiers in the world. Whether you’re picking up a unique creation like this Limited-edition '51 Nocaster Super Heavy Relic or having them build-to-order the Fender of your dreams, the Custom Shop earns its nickname — The Dream Factory — with every masterpiece they create. Custom Shop instruments are made from only the highest-grade, hand-selected materials, including impeccable tonewoods, high-end electronics, and premium hardware. And to protect your investment for many decades of playing enjoyment, your Fender Custom Shop instrument comes in a deluxe hardshell case, complete with a certificate of authenticity.
Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition '51 Nocaster Super Heavy Relic Electric Guitar Features:
- A faithful re-creation of a 1951 Fender Nocaster
- Stout, resonant ash body carved for period-accurate tone and response
- Rift-sawn maple neck with a compound radius fingerboard for ideal anchor space in every playing position
- Hot handwound single-coil pickups including a ’51 NoCaster bridge and ’51 Blackguard in the neck, both signatures of early Fender electric guitars
- Maple fingerboard with 21 frets for glassy smooth fretting up and down the neck
- Period-accurate hardware included a 3-barrel vintage-style bridge and vintage closed-back tuners
- Bone nut for improved resonance and string response
- Premium Super Heavy Relic nitro finish enhances tone and gives the feel of a well-loved instrument
- Made in the USA
