The Most EXPENSIVE Telecaster I've Ever Played - Fender '53 Custom Shop

[@ChanceCooper125]

Best tone I’ve ever heard on this channel. Some of the best I’ve heard on KZbin in a long time. This is a special one!

[@SEGREDOSPROIBIDOS1]

That intro song could be in a Mark Knopfler album. Just beautiful 👏🏻

[@daveanderson5136]

Yeah - this is one your best intro playing sessions. Well done sir!

[@CharfishDesign]

Amazing playing on this one, JC. I don't know if it's the guitar or Helix but the clarity here is pristine.

[@skeletor2000]

The K line signature definitely needs to be a thing

[@ksharpe10]

He sells more K lines most likely than any other Artist out there.

[@angrybuzzy]

You need to keep that one, JNC. The tone in the opening jam was amazing.

[@johncrace911]

Fantastic Sounds and Great Playing !

[@DominicHudson79]

Custom shop strat was a game changer for me. Finally found a fat, usable bridge pickup sound, so satisfying.

[@sledgehammer80sband37]

Interesting - I've been struggling with that for years. I've liked the texas specials in the past, but since having a great custom shop tele (with a great bridge pickup) I've found my strats very lacking in a good bridge tone.

[@DominicHudson79]

@@sledgehammer80sband37 yeah, I think a really good tele bridge pup will always outdo a strat for that beefy tone but I’ve persevered because I’ve always been a strat man. My CS has fat 60’s in and very usable tone and volume controls that have great range. It’s the fattest bridge tone I’ve had and that’s comparing it my others which are partscaster with lollars, a Suhr classic S and a American pro 1 with V mods.

[@SimonGaiser]

I have to say this is your best tone yet! The frequency range and beauty in my eardrums is blowing me away!

[@ksharpe10]

It is Just astounding is it not?? Just the right guitar on the right preset? Or Just his well Honed talented playing, or combination of them all?? UNREAL. Think I have watched this like 10 times now. It is like that greeny les Paul he had for such a short time, that had this special sauce too.

[@mike_aiton]

Mmmm one of the nicest sounds I’ve heard you make. Superb playing. As ever I am here for the music and the chat is a bonus

[@ksharpe10]

The Sound of this Guitar is so GOOD. The player helps for sure!!!!

[@stefanodelstef7988]

I tried to hate custom shops but I can't... My biggest mistake was trying one!

[@chrisgmurray3622]

The once great Roy Buchanan reportedly played a '53 Tele on his "Second album", and upon hearing the first three volume-swelling notes of track one side one-"Filthy Teddy", I was struck in the heart with his awesome playing. Years later I wondered if there was some subconscious recognition, due to the fact that I was born also in 53!

[@mikefromusa6902]

I have a partscaster that’s got a fender roadworn neck and a fender highway one body and a suhr bridge pickup and 62 avri neck pickup. It’s like a makeshift custom shop and it’s phenomenal.

[@r0bophonic]

Wow. Those pickups sound super articulate and touch sensitive.

[@stephonwilliams8890]

Love the jam on this particular. More of this please!

[@ChrisPanagopulos]

Beautiful intro on this one John.

[@neilevans6229]

The clarity is just sublime great playing lovely guitar

[@ksharpe10]

Bell like SWEETNESS, I have watched it 4 times now.

[@richardelson3261]

John this is beautiful music tone and playing. Tele's nice too!

[@christopherjbutler]

Good morning! Watching with rapt attention on this one. Intro sounds gorgeous so far

[@ksharpe10]

It's Fabulous!!

[@happygolukky]

Might be one of the first guitars you’ve played that to me definitively sounded different - very nice!

[@danielrose3172]

Now thats guitar tone!

[@Deep_Jimpact]

Lovely stuff John.

[@McBoggler]

I recently got my first Fender custom shop, a 1960 strat relic, and I love it. It just feels special to play, pickups sound great, neck feels great. The only thing I wasn’t keen on was the vintage string spacing so I changed that to modern spacing which also led to a lower action. Very happy and would definitely consider another custom shop guitar if the price is right. I paid £1900 for the strat which was the cheapest one in the country at the time.

[@mariodriessen9740]

There’s a beautiful second hand Custom Shop Telecaster hanging at one of the local guitar shops here in my hometown and I’m planning on buying it because it looks killer and it plays really well and it sounds great. But I heard you say something about the earliest roadworn Telecasters. I remember playing one of those when they just came out and I was pleasantly surprised. However, you don’t need to search for the old ones necessarily. Last year I saw a Mexican made Vintera 50’s telecaster in a limited edition run with the roadworn treatment, nitrocellulose finish, light as a feather, a beautiful, chunky, yet smooth neck, CTS pots, good sounding pickups (although I did swap the bridge pickup) in a gorgeous looking Sonic Blue finish. I fell in love immediately. I did change the saddles for a better intonation, but man…, it’s hard to beat that thing. I actually think the relicing job is so much more convincing than a lot of these custom shop guitars. Anyway…, I just wanted to point out that you don’t necessarily need the most expensive guitars to make ‘em work for you. 😊

[@BelchevKalin]

Beautiful playing and thought!

[@MakesBadNoise]

Gotta be honest, I feel like that guitar brought out some grade-a playing from you

[@billydelacruz1500]

Used a 95 Fender EC Strat for a decade, had a Les Paul Classic and then Standard and thought for years the Custom Shop and Historic price and hype were ridiculous! Then played a R8 from 01 and a CS 2010 Strat………Game Changer for me! There is a difference in tone, build and quality imho! It paired down collection to Core 4 guitars and absolutely worth it for my circumstances! Cheers

[@martoneill]

Lovely tone

[@ksharpe10]

What a Sound!!!!! THIS VIDEO sound wise is just over the TOP GREAT!!! Ah Eric lead HX SToMP!!! for whole video. Thanks JOHN.

[@r0bophonic]

Regarding cheaper options, I recently bought a 2016 Road Worn Tele on impulse based on the light weight (6.6 lbs), acoustic resonance and fantastic worn in chunky neck. The 7.5 radius takes some getting used to but it’s super comfortable.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

I have a couple Road Worns and feel every bit as capable and comfortable as with any Custom Shop guitars I've picked up🤙🏼

[@christopherduvall7094]

I will say - this is probably some of the best tone and playing I’ve seen on your channel. The guitar has an edge about the sound for sure. What helix preset is this?

[@joejohnson8966]

To me the thing with all custom shop guitars I hear is that there is always something in the mids. It's like it's more forward in the mix.

[@majorpentatonic2310]

Fabulous 👌

[@kengoodman7719]

Your opening tune is awesome! Sounds intelligent, like an Allen Hinds cut. Tone is incredible. Great work! God Bless!

[@elbib2446]

i was thinking allen hinds too

[@andrewsun4385]

Awesome!!!❤❤💯💯

[@zenrun2913]

Was the shop floor traveler document not included? It list all the specifications.

[@deaconddd]

Fender custom shops are amazing. They aren’t for everyone but once you play them it’s hard to go back to a more affordable option. I own one and they are just more aesthetically pleasing, intimate, and for my money more tonally correct. If you can imagine buying a new quality baseball glove and doing the myriad of things people do to break them in so they can play with them often before taken them out to the field. Everyone is a little different and that’s what make’s them special.

[@darineller6768]

Ash wood isn’t used much anymore because of availability, not the weight. Swamp ash is a lighter type of ash wood. The emerald ash borer insect has killed most of the ash trees in the US.

[@rogerwhatley232]

the telecaster suits you mate......

[@flashingit]

I have AVII ‘51 and I love the neck and the 7.25 radius. I also have a CS LTD ‘63 with CuNiFe neck pickup and 50s hand wired bridge pickup. Both Teles are amazing to play. BTW, on the AVII ‘51 I sanded off some of the Nitro finish on the neck and fretboard to get rid of the sticky feel.

[@johnbriggs3916]

I was put off by the distinctly orange colour of the butterscotch blonde on the AVII tele. This guitar looks to be nocaster blonde. Faded nocaster blonde is even better 😉

[@lazvt8469]

Simply love the pickups on my '61 CS Tele....Suhr, Lollar and Fralin are quite excellent...but the body/tonality of my Chicago Specials on the CS have just abit extra depth...not even my LSL's TBone or MFDs can quite get there.

[@davidmusselwhite547]

Just got mine. And. Yes. It’s a great guitar.

[@Darylbarker]

Have an early roadworn which is really light and plays awesome but the bridge pick-up just doesn’t have that bite a Tele should have… Intrigued to learn how close it would sound with something these pickups in it.

[@cathybatson7781]

Really enjoy your channel. I have almost the same, 53 custom shop tele with heavy relic, 2017 which was 30th anniversary of the custom shop. It plays like magic and relic says it can go anywhere and there is no stress about damage. The twisted tele and broadcaster pick up set are the best combo. Can comp hendrix on the neck and Zep in the bridge. I will never understand how the first solid body made by Leo was it. As confusing as the double slit experiment.

[@partriotsfight5039]

My Tele’s are my favorite guitars of my collection easily. My Richie Kotzen signature is friggen amazing

[@Incacal71]

What is the OBG pick up?

[@ksharpe10]

Your gettin really good with that Harp Harmonics, really nice sound on this video, Nice guitar. But Great Player really brings it out !!!! On a 2nd listening, that guitar has that GREENIE something that you got when you had the Gibson greeny. ONE SWEET Son of a Gun. This goes into my favorites list. Talkin about 5300.00 usd, for this instrument. Gosh I can remember in the 70's when you could buy an original for LESS. Gosh am I OLD.

[@tonedowne]

I can vouch for the old Roadworn Mexican Teles. Other than issues with string alignment (ended up replacing the saddles), mine has been an absolute beast. Totally looks the part, is incredibly resonant and loud acoustically, lightweight, and the pickups are bang on . The neck is creamy and the bridge screams like a good tele should.

[@maxpeck4154]

String alignment is one of the most frustrating things about some guitars, and replacing saddles doesn't always fix it. If the bridge itself is in the wrong spot (or the neck pocket isn't straight) they'll always be off.

[@tonedowne]

@@maxpeck4154 This one was straight, but the spacing was too wide for the fretboard, especially with the vintage radius. Any kind of vibrato on either E string would push the string off the fretboard. Changing the saddles allowed me to pinch the E strings in a touch. I still have to be conscious of it, but I can actually avoid doing it now, whereas before it always happened at least once in the set.

[@maxpeck4154]

@@tonedowne Aaahhh I have that issue with my Nash T63 but it's not the spacing it's how the frets are gradually rolled off toward the ends on the bass side. Makes them super comfortable, one of the best fret jobs I've seen, but if/when I have it refretted I'll request that they be filed at a slightly steeper angle to increase the playable area on the bass side. Mostly I'm used to it, not a huge issue.

[@tonedowne]

@@maxpeck4154 yeah ok. The whole thing is very rounded, but the strings are definitely closer to the edge than my other guitars. But replacing the saddles really did make a big difference. Having intonation compensated saddles means that they can be straight and not slanted out, which ends up with the E string’s sliding right over to the edge. Best $28 I ever spent.

[@Mr.D34]

Sounds great. I'm not into relic'd guitars, this one looks great though. I personally wouldn't order a custom shop guitar from Fender or any other similar brand. Not because it's not worth it, it's simply because Fender makes great guitars in their regular lineup that are close to that quality (minus the relic job obviously) you can always modify it to your liking, there are many great pickup makers out there, including Fender. When it comes to custom shop guitars i think it's best to see a luthier (or a boutique guitar builder as the youtube guitar community refers to them 🙂) who will make you a unique guitar to your liking and specifications that will be totally your own thing. Which is what i did and never regretted it. Btw it would be amazing if you could you make a video where you play that guitar through an analog gig and compare it to modelers after that? 🙂

[@electrickid101]

I want one that’s relic’d from being on the road with david Allen Coe

[@dejct]

Super nice guitar and sweet tone! Which preset was this? Apologies if its been said and I missed it

[@jonbuckley]

Is my Fender Custom Shop better than my American Pro II? No not at all. But it just feels better, and plays better to me. Like very expensive well worn in shoes lol.

[@lazvt8469]

My CS (got it used last week, lefty) is noticeably "better" than my Pro II...in every way...especially tone. In fact...got my Tele Pro II on sale as of last night...as it will not see much play now that I have this CS and about another half dozen upgraded budget-conscience Tele's with hand wound/boutique pups that sound amazing in their own right. .

[@southpaw335]

Sounded great. If i’m honest the relic job is a little overdone for my tastes, i don’t hate it, it’s just not my thing. That said if it plays well and sounds that good you could learn to love the looks.

[@ericjenks9596]

They moved away from Ash to Alder in the 50’s for expediency. Alder has a closer grain, so it requires less grain filling than ash. It’s quicker to apply the finish, so that’s why Fender changed. Recently, ash has been decimated by the Emerald Ash borer here in the states, an invasive species. That’s why they’re charging a premium now. Harder to get due to the trees dying

[@ericjenks9596]

My personal tele is an avri 52 reissue from 2001. 6.9 lbs, loaded with custom made voodoocaster nocaster pickups from Peter Florance. I’ve never felt the need for a custom shop after getting that. I have a ‘59 heavy relic strat though, and it’s amazing. When you find the right custom shop, they’re the best.

[@ferox965]

I think it's not so much the instrument as the player here. That was some seriously tasty playing.

[@Lorneplumber]

There are fender custom shop that I’m drawn to and some that aren’t that great as with all guitars. I love mine. Certainly all of mine are better than my k line

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

i like vos style releases of instruments , none look like they are 50 or 60yrs old imo , not even a cigarette burn on them and ive owned les paul customs from the 70s and strats from the 60s , id like to see fender make fewer but better guitars and go back to making handwired amps , would rather spend 6k on a new boiler

[@joemiller9856]

Sounded great! I’m not into relics myself. I also don’t buy blue jeans with holes in them either. Odd that people pay more for them IMHO.

[@liamtahaney713]

I bought a relic'd guitar I really liked in spite of not because of the relic. I sold it. Couldn't get over how stupid the relic was (as well as the awful 7.25 inch radius). Shame, it was otherwise an incredible instrument.

[@Jon-j1m]

Poor guy has to play that old beat up guitar. I feel sorry for him.

[@lazvt8469]

....the guitar made him poor.

[@GuitarJawn]

Who the hell bit the guitar?

[@Brixiomendoza]

The ground noise it's to anoying for me jajajajaj i hate Fender guitars jajajajajaja 😂😂 john s playing and sounds are amazing ❤

[@ivan_emege]

Fender Custom Shop is ahead from Gibson Custom Shop in terms of variety, feel, playability and somethings like quality of frets and hand wound pickups, in my experience (have guitars from both divisions) Every season Fender Custom Shop features cool limited edition models, and for sure you can order your dream guitar with plenty options on woods, neck profile, fretboard radius, electronics, pickups, and a variety of finishes and relics… As I said, is ahead from Gibson Custom by far… I have a wonderful Tele from the custom shop, It’s my best guitar, confortable, well balanced, amazing pickups, delicious soft v neck, perfect weight… but like all Teles, ugly as hell.

[@sfstoltenberg]

Teles rule!

[@darenanderson1960]

I loathe the look of heavy relics, but it sure sounds nice.

[@johnbriggs3916]

The Nocaster is 1951, not 1952.

[@johnbriggs3916]

1953 was the year that they changed from slotted head screws to Phillips head screws. (In reality it wasn't quite as simple as that.)

[@brunocalannirindina6269]

telecaster is the fuckin best guitar

[@chrispage2782]

5-6k??? uh….yeah, no. Pass on that one…..

[@jakeah1175]

Be great if body carve and compensated saddles were standard on all decent teles

[@paulngardner]

Definitely some subliminal messaging going on there!! 😂

[@Johnherold121]

When buying a custom shop relic you don't actually pay for the quality, you pay for the ability to throw the guitar down a flight of stairs for banter and not needing to fear scratching it

[@joemiller9856]

lol!

[@None-lh5mx]

I just took delivery of this same guitar in NOS. The '53 RI NOS. and it is DEAD! Like, hopefully a setup can fix it. It is the least inspiring guitar I've ever played. So stiff!!!!

[@ksharpe10]

That does not say much for the Custom Shop.

[@David01.d]

If it is dead then no

[@ianbarnes1406]

Interesting how everyone is sahing how great the tone is, your best yet. To me, its too harsh/jangly and I much prefer your 'normal' sound. Not sure it's anything to do with the guitar though, might just be the fx settings

[@ToneDeth.]

Comment

[@AmericanNationalist852]

Sounds great, but no matter what way I look at a tele, my first impression seeing one is always "eww" 😅

[@danielrose3172]

Who says a tele isnt versatile? Ha.

[@jesuspm2282]

too harsh clean tone imo

[@zenmonkey99]

Little Known Fact: All Relic'd guitars achieve their look by leaving them in truck stop bathroom for a year.

[@picksalot1]

Looks like a dumpster guitar. Sounds like many other guitars you've played. With decent pickups and a good Modeler, faffing over expensive guitars is not very interesting.

[@ferrousmcgarrus3431]

"Relic'ed" new guitars are a joke. If it looks like that new, imagine after 30 years. Let them wear in naturally.. so phony.