Mike Campbell bought his 1972 "Red Dog" Telecaster from a former guitar student in Florida, already fitted with a Bigsby and a powerful onboard boost he calls the "Destruct" circuit. It is the guitar on "Refugee" from Damn the Torpedoes, and this Stories Collection model recreates it in Red Dog Red Heirloom nitrocellulose lacquer, with Heirloom finished hardware to match.
The layout is unusual for a Telecaster. Two custom humbuckers sit in the neck and middle positions alongside a Telecaster single-coil at the bridge, all on a five-way blade. A push-push button on the control plate brings in the Destruct boost, rated at 34dB of gain, so it hits the amp hard. The Bigsby B5 replaces the usual bridge for gentle vibrato.
The one-piece maple neck has a '70s "C" carve, a 7.25" radius and 21 vintage frets, with a bone nut at 1.60". That round radius feels good for chords, though very wide bends can fret out. It comes with a custom vintage-style case, neck plate, strap, picks and a certificate of authenticity.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Heirloom Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Telecaster
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
NECK
Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
Neck Construction: 4-Bolt Standard
Neck Finish: Heirloom Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: '70s "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Fingerboard Material: 1-Piece Maple Neck
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Side Dots: Black
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Vintage
Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.60” (40.6 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Mike Campbell Red Dog Telecaster
Middle Pickup: Mike Campbell Red Dog Middle Humbucker
Neck Pickup: Mike Campbell Red Dog Neck Humbucker
Pickup Configuration: SHH
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, "Destruct" Button
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Auxiliary Switching: Push-Push Button on Control Plate activates "Destruct" Boost Circuit
Special Electronics: "Destruct" Boost Circuit Provides 34dB of Gain
HARDWARE
Bridge: Fender/Bigsby B5 Bridge and Tailpiece
Hardware Finish: Heirloom Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Fender Vintage "F" Stamped
Pickup Covers: Bridge: Black; Middle: Chrome; Neck: Chrome
Control Knobs: Knurled Flat-Top
Strap Buttons: Vintage-Style
Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
CASE
Case: Custom Vintage-Style
