Humbucker Warmth Paired with Single-coil Bite
A neck-position humbucker with a traditional Tele bridge pickup — perhaps the most common non-standard Telecaster configuration, and a favorite mod of Sweetwater’s countless Tele devotees. The Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition ’53 HS Telecaster Heavy Relic pairs that time-tested setup with all the classic accouterments of a real-deal early ’50s Tele, including a resonant 2-piece ash body, vintage-style tuners and a classic ’50s Tele bridge. Next, the robust Large “C” quarter-sawn 2A flame maple neck gives you a full-fledged grip when dishing out your favorite licks. At the same time, the maple fingerboard’s highly playable 9.5-inch radius and jumbo nickel frets serve as the ideal platform for wide, fret-out-free bends. A vintage-inspired neck-position Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Humbucker and Custom Shop Hand-wound ’50/’51 Blackguard bridge pickup complete the package with an exceptionally flexible tonal edge, capable of covering everything from twangy country leads to ripping rock riffage to pristine jazz cleans without batting an eye.
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A time-tested modding tradition
The HS Tele pickup configuration — a humbucker in the neck with a traditional Tele single-coil in the bridge — is perhaps the oldest Tele pickup mod in the book, made famous by legendary players such as Keith Richards and Albert Collins. This particular Tele boasts an endlessly articulate Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Humbucker in the neck slot, giving you a spot-on recreation of the world’s most iconic humbucker. Flip over to the bridge to be rewarded by the Hand-wound ’50/’51 Blackguard bridge pickup — a classic Tele bridge pickup that complements the neck’s richness with all the cut and twang you’d expect from a T-style single-coil.
Substantial large “C” maple neck
Here’s one for the baseball-bat neck fanatics — the Limited-edition ’53 HS Telecaster Heavy Relic’ gorgeous quarter-sawn 2A flame maple neck comes comfortably carved into a Large “C” profile to provide a full and robust feel. Substantial but never obtrusive, this profile is a favorite among Sweetwater’s old-school Fender fanatics, with many believing a fuller neck directly leads to increased sustain. Moreover, this neck’s maple fingerboard is studded with a set of 21 jumbo frets in a 9.5-inch radius to take this ’50s-style Tele’s performance straight into the world of modern playability.
The Dream Factory
Since its founding in 1987, the Fender Custom Shop has been home to some of the finest luthiers in the world. Whether you’re investing in a unique, limited-edition, or one-off guitar like the Limited-edition ’53 HS Telecaster 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 ’53 HS Telecaster Heavy Relic Electric Guitar Features:
- Lightweight 2-piece ash body in a well-worn Heavy Relic nitrocellulose finish
- Quarter-sawn 2A flame maple neck in a substantial Large “C” profile is sure to please fans of a chunky neck
- Maple fingerboard studded with 21 jumbo frets in a modernized 9.5-inch radius
- Neck-position Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Humbucker packs all the warmth and articulation of a true PAF humbucker
- Bridge-position Hand-wound ’50/’51 Blackguard bridge pickup captures the twangy magic of the earliest Tele-style instruments
- ’51-’54 Telecaster bridge with brass barrel saddles imparts a wonderful warmth and sustain to your notes
- Dual-stack HS Tele wiring utilizes custom-spec components to maximize the tone of your HS configuration
- Reliable vintage-style Fender tuners
