The Merle Haggard Telecaster is a heavily reworked Thinline. A maple centre block with select alder wings and tone chambers sits under a laminated figured maple top with ivoroid binding, in 2-Color Sunburst with gold hardware, a custom-shaped ivoroid pickguard and an abalone Tuff Dog inlay on the headstock. Unlike a standard Tele, the figured maple neck is set into the body with a deep-carved heel, which opens access to the top of its 22 medium jumbo frets.
Two Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil Teles run through a four-way switch. Beyond the usual bridge, both and neck, the fourth position puts the two pickups in series for a fuller, louder sound. The six-saddle strings-through-body bridge has block steel saddles, and the tuners are sealed with pearl buttons.
It suits a country player after a semi-hollow Tele with more control than a vintage instrument. For a more traditional chambered Thinline, compare the American Custom Telecaster Thinline NOS.
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: Maple Center Block, Select Alder Wings with Tone Chambers, Laminated Figured Maple Top
Body Finish: Urethane
Body Shape: Telecaster
Body Binding: Ivoroid
Pickguard: Custom-Shaped 1-Ply Ivoroid Shell
Aging: NOS
NECK
Neck Material: Figured Maple
Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
Neck Shape: "C" Shape
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Texas Special Single-Coil Tele
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Texas Special Single-Coil Tele
Pickup Configuration: SS
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching: 4-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups (In Parallel), Position 3. Neck Pickup, Position 4. Neck and Bridge Pickups (In Series)
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Tele with Block Steel Saddles
Hardware Finish: Gold
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Cast/Sealed with Pearl Buttons
Control Knobs: Knurled Dome
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Deluxe Brown Hardshell (Gold Interior)