Fender Masterbuilt Jason Smith Esquire - USA 2018

Here is a Fender Master Built Jason Smith Esquire, a limited-edition Custom Shop instrument that pays tribute to Fender’s very first solid-body electric guitar. Originally introduced as a single-pickup, no-frills design, the Esquire laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Telecaster, and this 2018 Master Built version reimagines that simplicity with exceptional craftsmanship and precision.

This example features a single custom-wound single-coil pickup designed by Jason Smith to deliver a rich, vintage-inspired tonal character with strong clarity, dynamic response, and classic Fender bite. The unique three-position Esquire switching system expands its versatility, offering preset tonal shaping in the forward position with added bass, a standard tone-controlled middle position, and a bypass mode in the rear position for a hotter, more direct lead tone.

Built with a lightweight ash body finished in Butterscotch Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer, this guitar captures the essence of early Fender aesthetics while allowing the wood to resonate freely. The quartersawn maple neck with a comfortable “U” profile provides stability and a substantial yet smooth playing feel, complemented by a 9.5" radius maple fingerboard and 21 frets for modern playability within a vintage framework.

Sonically, the Esquire delivers everything from warm, rounded rhythm tones to cutting, expressive lead sounds with excellent touch sensitivity. Despite its single-pickup simplicity, the switching system makes it remarkably versatile, capable of covering a wide range of classic Fender tones with surprising depth and character.

Condition is excellent with only light signs of use, and everything functions as it should. A highly refined and collectible Custom Shop Esquire that blends historic design with modern Master Built craftsmanship. Comes with the original Fender Custom Shop hard case.

Specifications: 

Year: 2018
Country: USA
Model: Fender Custom Shop Esquire
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body: Ash
Neck: Quartersawn Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Scale: 25.5" (648 mm)
Pickups: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Single-Coil
Bridge: 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele with Brass Barrel Saddles
Tuners: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
Case: Custom Shop Fender case with all candy