A Fabulous Fender Masterpiece with Kalamazoo Flair
Handcrafted by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Jason Smith, this exceptional Telecaster seamlessly blends California- and Kalamazoo-inspired stylings into a once-in-a-lifetime solidbody electric guitar. Constructed from premium ash, it boasts the iconic Tele silhouette with a stunning bound gold top, a transparent walnut back, and a glorious journeyman relic nitro finish. This show-stopping Masterbuilt model features a quarter-sawn roasted maple neck with a chunky ’52-style U shape, topped by an easy-playing 21-fret, modern-radius roasted maple fingerboard. Sonically speaking, this Tele delivers a wide range of authoritative tones, thanks to a hand-wound Josephina Tele single-coil bridge pickup and a Tim Shaw-designed P-90 at the neck. Additionally, it’s equipped with premium hardware, including an ashtray-style Tele bridge with brass saddles, vintage-style tuners, and knurled metal knobs. For Fender enthusiasts with a deep appreciation for the rich history of Kalamazoo-crafted guitars, the Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Gold Top Telecaster presents a rare, captivating blend of tradition and innovation.
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Tele meets Gold Top: a golden pairing
As a merger of a premium Fender Custom Shop Telecaster with Kalamazoo-inspired elements, this instrument offers adventurous players nothing short of a thrilling 6-string experience. Built upon an exquisite ash body, this Masterbuilt Telecaster features an attention-grabbing gold top with black binding and a back with black grain filler topped with transparent walnut. The entire body is finished with a striking journeyman relic nitrocellulose lacquer. Its comfortable quarter-sawn maple neck boasts a substantial ’52-style U profile, while the 21-fret, modern-radius maple fingerboard ensures easy playability that will keep you coming back for more. Additionally, both the neck and fingerboard have been roasted to optimal dryness, making them more resistant to humidity shifts and temperature changes than their non-roasted counterparts. Finally, the neck and fingerboard have received the same relic treatment as the body, giving this Telecaster the playing feel of a battle-hardened road warrior.
Hand-wound for success
Sweetwater’s dedicated Tele enthusiasts have found this Fender Custom Shop Gold Top Telecaster to be a veritable goldmine of tones. The hand-wound Josephina single-coil bridge pickup delivers lively, tangy Tele tones with plenty of twang and bite. Designed by pickup guru Tim Shaw, the P-90 neck pickup offers more mids and deeper lows than a traditional Tele single-coil, along with a hotter output that’s perfect for bluesy, overdriven leads. The P-90’s warm, full range complements the bridge pickup’s classic single-coil spank — together, they equip you with unlimited tonal versatility.
Meet the Master Builder: Jason Smith
Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Jason Smith, son of Fender R&D legend Dan Smith, grew up deeply immersed in the world of Fender guitars. Born in Rochester, NY, and raised in California, he met guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck, and Robben Ford through his father's work. Jason joined the Fender Custom Shop in 1995 and completed a 5-year apprenticeship under Senior Master Builder John English in 2006. During this time, he worked on a pair of double-neck Stratocaster guitars for Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo. Jason has since crafted instruments for the likes of John 5, Michael Landau, Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Reggie Hamilton, Linkin Park, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Neon Trees, among many others.
Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Gold Top Telecaster Features:
- Handcrafted by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Jason Smith
- Combines premium Telecaster construction with Kalamazoo-inspired elements
- Exquisite ash body with a stunning bound gold top, a transparent walnut back, and a glorious journeyman relic nitro finish
- Comfortable roasted maple neck with a substantial ’52-style U profile
- 21-fret, modern-radius roasted maple fingerboard feels like a well-seasoned road warrior
- Hand-wound Josephina single-coil bridge pickup delivers lively, tangy Tele tones with plenty of twang and bite
- Tim Shaw-designed neck P-90 offers a hot, mid-forward sound that’s great for bluesy, overdriven leads
- Ashtray-style Tele bridge with brass saddles, vintage-style tuners, and knurled metal knobs
