Fender Custom Shop 30th Anniversary ’51 Nocaster NOS – USA 2017

PRICE DROP -

The '51 Nocaster is one of the coolest, and perhaps most important models in the history of Fender guitars. Once known as the Broadcaster, this "no-name" transitional guitar was a result of threatened legal action from the Gretsch company. Gretsch had a drum kit named "Broadkaster" and to avoid the confrontation, Fender simply cut off their headstock decals so that they read only "Fender". These prized collectables are some of the rarest Fenders in existence numbered at around 475 total.

From Fender -

"This ’51 Custom Shop Nocaster has been appointed with hand-wound Custom Shop pickups, delivering that classic Tele twang with some beautiful top-end sparkle. The Texas Special neck pickup provides creamy blues tones with a punchy and bold push in the mid-range. The Nocaster bridge pickup stays true to the original sound, with Alnico 3 magnets delivering a bright tone with plenty of bite and character.

A master volume and tone gives you great control of your sound. The “greasebucket” tone circuit provides a more natural roll-off, removing top-end frequencies without emphasising the low-end. This means your tone remains clear and pronounced without getting woolly when rolling down the tone control.

This Custom-built instrument has been crafted by only the best luthiers employed by Fender. Their vast knowledge and expertise means that you get only the highest quality guitar, made from the best tonewoods and components available. This is a guitar that will last a lifetime and will be passed on for many generations to come.

The gorgeous Lightweight Ash body provides a balanced tone covering the full frequency spectrum, with the 1-piece maple neck re-capturing that vintage vibe. A bolt-on construction ensures plenty of snap and clarity, combining well with the bright pickups to give a tone that will cut through any mix – on stage or in the studio.

The use of Nitrocellulose lacquer on the body and neck recaptures old-school 50’s production techniques, wearing more naturally over time. This finish is also more “breathable” for the wood, giving a more resonant and open tone.

A thick vintage-inspired ‘U’ neck profile provides plenty of comfort and offers a more substantial feel, with great playability whilst retaining that classic look and feel."

Specifications from Fender -

• Body Material:  Lightweight Ash
• Body Finish:  Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Material:  1-Piece Maple
• Neck Shape:  “U” Shape
• Fingerboard Radius:  9.5″ (241 mm)
• Number of Frets:  21
• Fret Size:  6100 Jumbo
• String Nut:  Bone
• Nut Width:  1.650″ (42 mm)
• Neck Finish:  Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Pickup: Hand-Wound Texas Special
• Bridge Pickup:  Hand-Wound Single-Coil Nocaster
• Controls:  Master Volume, Master Tone
• Pickup Switching:  3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
• Special Electronics:  Modern Tele Wiring
• Bridge:  ’51 Nocaster Bridge with Reverse angle Center Saddle
• Tuning Machines:  Vintage-Style
• Other: Limited Edition Engraved Neckplate, Limited Edition Certificate of Authenticity and Fender Custom Shop 30th Anniversary Decal.

Weight is 7.39 lbs

This is a ’51 NOS (New Old Stock) Custom Shop Nocaster in great condition. With a killer lightweight ash body, a quarter sawn maple neck with big, fat Nocaster "U" profile, these Nocasters have all the details and vintage vibe that make them a staple in the history of the electric guitar.

This one was created in 2017 which is the 30^th anniversary of the Fender Custom Shop which commenced in 1987. The 30^th Anniversary decal on the rear of the headstock celebrates this milestone.

This is one of those special guitars with amazing tone and resonance. It features a particularly lightweight one piece body in the custom colour of black, and a special order of 6100 jumbo frets rather than the standard 6105 "narrow tall" wire, and a 9.5" fingerboard radius rather than the traditional 7.25".

This ’51 Nocaster Reissue has lots of character, it plays brilliantly, it is light and resonant, and sounds fantastic courtesy of the killer Custom Shop Nocaster pickups which in our opinion are the best Fender Tele pickups you can buy. It is in super clean condition with no fret wear.

And this one offers a split personality with 2 pickguards - the original black single ply and another single ply parchment white guard. So you can have the traditional “Tuxedo” black & white look, or a rather tougher presence in all black. Both pickguards are 5 hole and easily interchangeable, lining up with the original screw holes in the body.

The sale includes its “ashtray” bridge guard, a Fender CS leather strap, Fender polishing cloth in unopened bag and its Certificate of Authenticity.

Comes in its original tweed Fender Custom Shop case in new condition.

Video demo of same model – https://youtu.be/TdPJoB6zLEE