1959 Fender Telecaster Custom 1st Batch! – True Vintage Guitar

I’m excited to show off a rare vintage guitar find which came through the shop last week: 1959 Fender Telecaster Custom from the first batch of production! This exceptionally clean example exhibits rare features including the standard “Telecaster” decal with no “Custom”, top loader bridge configuration, 5 screw three layer nitrate pickguard, and an interesting thick red band original Sunburst finish. 

We love vintage Fender Telecaster guitars made during the 1950s and 1960s. You can contact us here if you’re looking to sell one: Sell a Fender. 

Or if you’re looking for help with an appraisal, you can contact us here: Appraisal.

What year did the Telecaster Custom come out?

Fender’s Telecaster Custom model debuted in June 1959 as the fancy upgrade to the austere Telecaster model. Fender selected the new three tone Sunburst finish as the standard color for the model over an Alder body instead of the typical Ash. The most unique new feature for the model was the edge binding (thin strips of plastic on the top and back) which gave it a distinctly fancier look. The three layer nitrate (commonly called the “mint green”) pickguard was new for Fender guitars in the Spring of 1959 as well. 

What makes this 1959 Telecaster Custom quite special are the features which weren’t extended to the rest of the production of the model. Most notably to me, the peghead decal predates the “Custom Telecaster” decal used from 1959 until about 1967. The decal on this guitar is the standard “Telecaster” decal with no mention of the new model.

 

Since this Telecaster Custom was produced in late spring/early summer 1959, it has the short lived 5 hole pickguard pattern instead of the typical 8 hole pattern of later guitars. The single layer pickguards Fender was using in the 1950s didn’t shrink much, so 5 screws was all that was required to keep the guard in place. Fender began using a fancier new material in the Spring of ’59 that we call the “mint green” guard because of the greenish look of the top white layer. Fender began to notice that the material would shrink and warp rather quickly, so a few additional screws were added to these guards.

 

I’m also surprised at interesting thicker red band in the Sunburst finish that Fender applied to the first batch of the Telecaster Custom. The red band extends nearly all the way to the bass side of the bridge in the forearm area. On later guitars, this red band was much smaller and didn’t get close to the bridge area. Consider the 1960 Custom Telecaster Sunburst with small red band.

Selling a Vintage Fender Telecaster Custom?

I was delighted to be able to have this incredible 1959 Fender Telecaster Custom in the shop if only for a short while. If you’re considering selling a high end vintage collectible Fender guitar, let me know: Sell a Fender. I’d like to be your highest offer to sell your guitar, or if I can’t, I may be able to connect you with someone who can be.

Or if you’re not ready to sell, consider getting a professional appraisal. We’re passionate about your vintage guitar as both a playable tool and a high end collectible asset. We would be happy to help determine its value.