We're suckers for a great sparkle finish, and when bound in checkered binding? We don't stand a chance.
Why We Love This
Not into Butterscotch Teles? Blonde a little too pedestrian for you? We get it. They can't all be traditional looking, right? Truly, where's the fun in that? This 2014 Greg Fessler Masterbuilt '57 Tele wears its heart right on its sleeve. Think 50s hot rods: fun, dangerous, cool.
Under the gorgeous Red Sparkle finish lies a remarkably fun, musical, resonant ash-bodied (2 piece) Telecaster with a perfectly carved '57 Soft V quarter sawn maple neck (.85-.99"), OBG hand-wound bridge pickup, and TV Jones Classic neck pickup.
Plugged into our trusty Victoria Vicky Verb, we were immediately taken by the fatter, warmer Tele tones coming from the VV's 12" speaker. These pickups balance really well and if Frisell is your ideal Tele sound (I mean, who doesn't hold that ideal?), you'll love what this guitar has to offer. It's clear, articulate, and muscular sounding but doesn't dip into brash, twangy tones as readily as other Tele's we've played. There's a something a bit more refined about the feel and tone of this Masterbuilt Tele.
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Greg Fessler came to the Fender Custom Shop in 1990, working his way up through the ranks as an apprentice. He assisted with the Robben Ford signature line of guitars, eventually becoming the sole builder of those instruments and, later, Ford’s personal builder. Fessler has built one-off Stratocaster and Telecaster models for a host of players, including Joe Bonnamasa, Jeff Healey, Hank Marvin, John Mayer, Rhonda Smith, Neil Schon and Pete Wentz, to name only a few.
Fessler’s remarkable abilities as a Master Builder have earned him accolades from many Fender artists and from discerning customers worldwide. His meticulous attention to detail is exemplified in every instrument he creates, each of which is a perfect example of the intense commitment it takes to earn the title of Master Builder.
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