Up for sale, a 1955 Fender Telecaster in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. An early "Whiteguard" example, this Telecaster has been faithfully restored to vintage spec with a combination of original components and modern equivalents. Refinished and lightly relic'd by Riggio Custom Guitars, the burst gradient and tint of the Blonde lacquer finish represents a narrow window between late 1954-early '55 where the finish retained a more yellowed hue with subtle bursting on the body edges, prior to the stark white "Blonde" finishes of subsequent years.

The guitar weighs 7lbs 6oz, and the ash body features very tight, straight grain on the bass side, with broader, more dynamic grain on the treble side. Acoustically, the guitar has plenty of sonic breadth and a woody, percussive quality, yielding both midrange oomph and treble-centric cut. The bridge pickup is a genuine vintage Fender pickup circa 1955 with flat alnico pole pieces, converted from a Champ lap steel and metering 6.3k ohms. A copper baseplate has been installed to accommodate the Telecaster's three-point mount, and the pickup is bold and gusty with plenty of chewy twang. Via the modern three-way wiring scheme (no dark cap), toggling to the neck pickup, a modern Fender '52 Tele replacement, delivers a more reserved sound that's smooth, chiming and clear. We've had this Telecaster professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple

-Shape: Substantial soft V, measuring .915" 1st fret, .999” 12th fret

-Fretboard: Maple, 7 1/4" radius, dot inlay

-Frets: Slender, light wear beneath plain strings on frets 1-5

-Scale Length: 25 1/2"

-Nut: 1 5/8", bone (modern)

-Headstock: Modern waterslide decal

-Tuners: Kluson-style (modern)

-Factory Markings: Faint "5" on neck heel, 3/55 grease pencil body date

Body Specs:

-Wood: Ash

-Pickups: Circa '55 Champ lap steel Tele bridge pickup conversion (6.3k ohms), modern black bobbin Fender neck pickup

-Harness: Stackpole pots date to 14th week of '55, three-way pickup selector + tone cap (all original)

-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector (wired Bridge, Bridge+Neck, Neck)

-Hardware: Pat Pending bridge with steel saddles + knurled knobs (original), aged control plate (modern)

-Plastics: One-ply eggshell pickguard (modern), "top hat" switch tip (original)

-Serialization: four-digit on neck plate

The nitro lacquer Blonde refinish via Riggio Custom Guitars was expertly executed, and the body retains its full original 1 3/4" depth and unaltered contours. Riggio's tasteful relic treatment comprises horizontal lacquer checking and some light marks of simulated wear. The nitro gloss on the neck profile (also reshot by Riggio) is silky smooth.

A modern tweed center pocket (1954-55 spec) hardshell case is included.