GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1999 Fender Custom Telecaster '61 reissue

All images and text copyrighted and property of Greg Gagliano.

FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Custom Telecaster was introduced in mid-1959 as a fancy version of the Telecaster. The main differences between the Custom Tele and regular model include an alder body instead of ash and body binding. The Custom Tele also introduced the rosewood fingerboard to the Telecaster. The Custom Telecaster sported a slab rosewood fingerboard from its introduction until mid-1962 when it was fitted with a veneer board. The standard finish for the Custom Tele was 3-color sunburst rather than the traditional "blonde" found on the regular Telecaster. Custom colors were available and these are visually striking due to the contrast with the body binding. The Custom Telecaster was discontinued around 1971, but the Fender Custom Shop still makes them. The guitar shown here is a special order Custom Shop model made to exact specifications for a 1961 Custom Telecaster. The pickups were hand wound by the Custom Shop's Abigail Ybarra on an original type winding machine using original materials and specifications. Ms. Ybarra wound pickups at Fender since the late 1950s!

FENDER CUSTOM TELECASTER '61 Reissue (February 1999)

Body: Solid, 2-piece alder