Fender Masterbuilt Dale Wilson 52' Telecaster Heavy Relic - USA 2018

The Fender Custom Shop's Master Built program represents the highest level of production available from Fender, with each instrument built start to finish by a single master builder. Within the Fender Master Builder team, Dale Wilson has established himself as one of the most respected names, known for his remarkably authentic relic work and faithful recreations of Fender's most desirable vintage models. His guitars routinely command a premium over standard Custom Shop instruments and have become highly sought after by both players and collectors.

This particular guitar is a 2018 Master Built 1952 Telecaster Heavy Relic finished in Burnt Butterscotch Blonde. Built as Custom Shop #409 and accompanied by its original certificate, the guitar combines traditional early Telecaster styling with a number of player friendly refinements. The two-piece select ash body wears a Heavy Relic lacquer finish, while the one-piece plain grain maple neck features a comfortable '65 Strat "C" profile rather than the larger U-shaped neck commonly associated with original 1952 examples. The result is a guitar that retains the look and attitude of an early Blackguard while offering a more familiar feel for modern players.

Electronics consist of a set of Custom Shop Handwound '51 Nocaster pickups paired with modern Telecaster wiring and a three-way selector switch. These pickups capture the strong attack, dynamic response, and midrange punch that made the earliest Fender guitars famous, while the modern wiring configuration makes the instrument considerably more practical than the original 1952 circuit. Other appointments include a single-ply black pickguard, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, and a period-correct 1951-54 style Telecaster bridge.

As expected from a Dale Wilson build, the relic work is exceptionally convincing, with careful attention paid to the wear patterns, finish checking, hardware aging, and overall feel of a well played vintage instrument. Whether viewed as a collector-grade Master Built piece or simply as a professional player's Telecaster, this is a particularly desirable Custom Shop build from one of Fender's most respected craftsmen.

Supplied with its original Fender Custom Shop deluxe hard shell case, certificate of authenticity, shop traveller, and original case candy.

Specifications:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm
Action at 12th Fret: 1.5mm
Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 20.83mm / 0.820"
Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 24.6mm
Nut Width: 41.91mm / 1.650"
Width at 12th Fret: 51.63mm
Weight: 3.055kg / 6.74lb
Model: Fender Custom Shop Master Built 1952 Telecaster Heavy Relic
Master Builder: Dale Wilson
Year: 2018
Custom Shop Number: #409
Finish: Burnt Butterscotch Blonde Heavy Relic Lacquer
Body: 2-Piece Select Ash
Neck: 1-Piece Plain Grain Maple
Neck Profile: '65 Strat "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Pickups: Custom Shop Hand-Wound '51 Nocaster Set
Switching: 3-Way Selector
Wiring: Modern Telecaster Wiring
Bridge: 1951–54 Style Telecaster Bridge
Tuners: Vintage Style Fender
Nut: Bone
Pickguard: 1-Ply Black
Hardware: Chrome/Nickel
Case: Original Fender Custom Shop Deluxe Hardshell Case
Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity, Shop Traveller and Original Case Candy
Crafted In: Corona, California, USA by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Dale Wilson