This Fender Custom Shop ’52 Telecaster Relic is a pre-owned example built around Blackguard-era specs, and it’s in very good condition with minimal wear beyond the factory aging. The 2-piece select ash body is finished in thin nitrocellulose lacquer, which lets the wood breathe and respond more directly than a thick poly finish would. At 6 lb 14.6 oz, it sits on the lighter end for an ash-body Tele, which makes a real difference over a long set. The 1-piece rift-sawn maple neck runs a 1957 Soft “V” profile on a 7.25″-9.5″ compound radius, giving you a vintage chord feel in the lower positions and a flatter surface for cleaner bends up the neck.
Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’50/’51 Blackguard single-coils deliver a punchy, treble-forward voice with a gritty edge that stays articulate under gain. The 3-saddle vintage Tele bridge with barrel brass saddles and bone nut round out a hardware package that matches the period intent of the build. This guitar suits a player who wants a working instrument built to early-’50s Telecaster spec rather than a modern interpretation-and at this price point, the Custom Shop construction makes a strong case against buying vintage.
