The Fender Custom Shop digs deep into Telecaster history to deliver a striking tribute to a pivotal moment in the model’s evolution.

The 1954 Telecaster marks the end of an era—when black phenolic pickguards still adorned Blonde-finished ash bodies, just before Fender transitioned to the white ABS guards that defined the dawn of the Strat.

This Custom Shop recreation nails those final pre-Strat details with precision: a two-piece select ash body (with an offset seam on the treble side, just like the originals), and a one-piece rift sawn maple neck carved to a substantial-yet-comfortable ‘54 “U” profile. A vintage compound radius fingerboard (7.25"–9.5") makes for comfortable playability, ideal for players who want vintage-correct looks without sacrificing modern comfort (ie, bends up the fingerboard are a bit easier to do on the flatter 9.5" radius).

Sonically, this Tele doesn’t disappoint. A set of Custom Shop hand-wound Loaded ’51 Nocaster pickups deliver everything we love about early-’50s Fenders—articulate highs, crisp twang, and a dry, woody midrange—with just a bit more muscle under the hood.

Additional appointments include medium vintage 47095 frets, period-correct ’Fat 50s’ Tele wiring, a 3-way switch, and a classic ’51-’54 bridge with brass saddles.

Whether you’re after a historically-informed addition to your collection or a stage-ready player’s piece with serious vintage mojo, this guitar is a masterclass in Custom Shop craftsmanship—and an inspiring tribute to one of the most iconic guitars ever made.