Fender Telecaster 1953 'Blackguard' Blonde

Now available on consignment, a 1953 Fender 'Blackguard' Telecaster in its butterscotch blonde finish over an ash body.

This particular example I found a few years ago from its long term owner in New Zealand, having been purchased in the 1970s directly from its original owner in Fullerton, California near the Fender factory.

Upon inspection this guitar has '52 neck and pot dates, and 'D' stamps on both the body and neck indicating these parts are from 1952. However the body and tape date are from later in 1953, indicating the guitar returned to the factory early in its life. This is further supported by the matching serial number stamping under the bridge plate, and on the base of neck heel '3207', as well as the presence of 'RPKD' in the neck pocket suggesting a factory refinish or repair in 1953.

Post this the guitar had further work over the years, including a neck refinish and re-fret performed by the previous owner in 1975 (this is notated on the neck heel). At the time the fingerboard radius was sanded to 9.5", and a set of Schaller tuners installed. Since then the guitar has been restored including:

• A professional neck refinish with ageing to match performed by Carson Hess, including a repair from an oversized nut and a replacement decal. The original no-line tuners were reinstalled at the time.
• A professional re-fret performed by Piers Crocker in Sydney
• The bridge pickup was rewound by Slider Pickups, the bobbin, magnets, and lead wires remain original.

Otherwise the guitar has the typical '52-'53 features including a mix of flat and phillips head screws, and body (8-26-53) and neck (6-5-52) dates both signed by Tadeo Gomez. The body remains in good shape overall, and the finish matches the typical specifications of this era with some stunning checking and wear from the last 70+ years.

Both original pickups remain and sound fantastic, as does the wiring harness, converted to standard wiring, with both Clarostat pots dating to the 46th week of 1952. All of the hardware remains original including the bridge plate, brass saddles, milled knobs, switch tip, control plate, jack-cup, no-line Kluson deluxe tuners, and all screws. The original lacquered phenolic single ply pickguard is in good shape as well with no cracks.

To play this is a very resonant example, and the lightest 'Blackguard' telecaster we have ever had in the shop, weighing in at 6.5lbs. Thanks to the recent re-fret it plays effortlessly, with a comfortable chunky V shaped neck that tapers to a U shape in the upper frets.

Overall a fantastic playing example of a 'Blackguard' telecaster that is the perfect mix of utility and originality. Includes a reissue hardcase and the original bridge cover.