The 1954 Telecaster recreates a transition year. Early 1954 was the last run of the single-ply black phenolic pickguard on a Nocaster Blonde body before the white guard came in with the Stratocaster, and this model keeps the black guard over two-piece select ash with the offset seam on the treble side.
The one-piece rift sawn maple neck has a 1954 "U" carve and a 7.25" to 9.5" vintage compound radius, with Jescar Medium Vintage frets and a 1.625" nut. Two Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster pickups give the early-fifties sound with a little more output, wired the conventional way: bridge, both, neck, with master volume and tone. The bridge is a three-saddle strings-through-body Tele with brass saddles.
It comes in six treatments, from the Nocaster Blonde Time Capsule through DLX Closet Classic, Journeyman Relic, Relic and Heavy Relic to the Super Faded Aged Nocaster Blonde Super Heavy Relic. For the original three-position blend wiring, look at the 1951 Nocaster, and for a mid-fifties Tele with a rounder neck, the 1955 Telecaster Journeyman Relic with Closet Classic Hardware.
The photos show one example. Wood grain and aging vary from guitar to guitar, so the one built for you will differ in the details.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Ash with Offset Seam
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer or Flash Coat Lacquer (by finish)
Body Shape: Telecaster
Pickguard: 1-Ply Black Phenolic
Aging: By finish, as shown
NECK
Neck Material: 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer or Flash Coat Lacquer (by finish)
Neck Shape: 1954 "U"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" to 9.5" Vintage Compound Radius (184 mm to 241 mm)
Fingerboard Material: 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple Neck
Position Inlays: Black Micarta Dot - 0.25"
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Jescar Medium Vintage (47095)
Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Heel Adjust
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.625" (41.3 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster
Pickup Configuration: SS
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
HARDWARE
Bridge: 3-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Tele with Brass Saddles
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome
Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
CASE
Case: Deluxe Hardshell