There’s just something about Thinline Telecasters that gets us every time. Lightweight, ultra-responsive, and brimming with punchy warmth that sets them apart from their solid-body cousins.

This LTD Custom Shop '50s Telecaster, finished in a striking Sherwood Green, takes things up a notch with a few tweaks to the classic Tele 'recipe'. The Journeyman level relic gives it a realistic / "played-in" look without overdoing it, and the hollow, two-piece ash body paired with a rosewood neck adds a unique twist in terms of looks, feel, and tone. You usually see these guitars with maple necks or a maple-and-rosewood fingerboard combo, but this all-rosewood neck works really well.

Speaking of the neck, the '57 Soft V carve is one of those shapes that feels like coming home—it’s got just the right amount of chunk and comfort. For the spec-conscious, it measures .88"-.99", with a 9.5" fingerboard radius and 6105 Narrow/Tall frets.

We plugged into a Victoria Vicky Verb and were immediately floored by its throaty, punchy growl paired with a shimmering top end. It’s the kind of sound that feels like a cross between a P90-equipped solid-body and a classic Tele. Clean, it’s beautiful with lots of dynamic range to explore, but when we pushed the amp just a little, we got a sweet breakup that had us grinning like a kid with a new toy. It’s one of those tones that might just make you forget your set-neck, mahogany guitars for a bit. Fun, dynamic, and seriously impressive.