Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $4,130

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Step into the golden era of electric guitar with the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster. This instrument is a tribute to the iconic design and sound of the early '50s Telecasters, boasting a meticulously distressed nitrocellulose lacquer Relic finish that captures the essence of a well-loved vintage instrument. The 2-piece select ash body resonates with rich, balanced tones, ensuring every note sings with clarity.

This Telecaster features a 1-piece rift-sawn maple neck, known for its incredible stability and resilience against environmental changes, making it ideal for touring musicians. The neck is shaped into a classic 1952 "U" profile, offering a chunky feel that fills your hand for an authentic playing experience. Combined with a 9.5-inch radius fingerboard and 21 medium-jumbo frets, this guitar blends vintage style with modern playability, allowing for smooth chording and effortless string bends without fretting out.

At the heart of this gem are two Custom Shop Hand-wound Loaded ’51 Nocaster pickups. These slightly overwound pickups bring a powerful twist to the traditional Tele sound, delivering a vibrant, twangy tone with a gritty edge that cuts through any mix. The vintage-inspired features continue with an uncompensated 3-saddle bridge, a 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, and classic slot-in tuners, ensuring this Telecaster not only sounds the part but looks it too.

With its blend of vintage aesthetics and modern performance, the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster is a must-have for any serious guitarist.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight 2-piece select ash body for balanced, resonant tone
  • Exceptionally stable 1-piece rift-sawn maple neck with a 1952 “U” profile
  • 9.5-inch fingerboard radius and 21 medium-jumbo frets for high-performance playability
  • Custom Shop Hand-wound Loaded ’51 Nocaster pickups for a classic, overwound Tele sound
  • Nitrocellulose lacquer Relic finish for an authentic vintage look and feel
  • Period-correct features: 3-saddle bridge, 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, vintage-style tuners

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Custom Shop '52 Reissue Telecaster Relic
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Finish Features Relic
Model Family Fender Telecaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Fender Custom Shop

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster?

The Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster features a rift-sawn maple neck with a '57-style soft V shape, offering a comfortable grip for both chord playing and lead work.

What kind of pickups does the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster have?

This guitar is equipped with dual Custom Shop handwound ’50-’51 Blackguard single-coil pickups, providing classic Telecaster tones with a vintage character.

Is the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster suitable for gigging musicians?

Yes, the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster is built with high-quality components and craftsmanship, making it an excellent choice for professional musicians seeking reliable performance and iconic Telecaster tones.

How does the heavy relic finish affect the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster?

The heavy relic finish gives the guitar a vintage, well-worn appearance and feel, while also allowing the wood to resonate more freely, enhancing its tonal qualities.

What is the body wood of the Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster?

The Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster features a two-piece select ash body, known for its bright, resonant tonal qualities and lightweight feel.

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Fender Custom Shop Relic 52 Telecaster, Blonde #R105960 | Gear4music demo

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Fender Custom Shop Relic 52 Telecaster, Blonde #R105960 | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster.

User experience

  • Heavy relic finishes may appeal more to players who want a guitar they don't have to be overly cautious with, reducing stress over cosmetic damage.

    Source
  • The Journeyman Relic finish is appreciated for providing a "played but not annihilated" appearance, appealing to those who prefer a moderate relic look without excessive wear.

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  • The neck is described as a "baseball bat," appealing to those who prefer a thicker neck profile for comfort and playability.

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  • An owner who also possesses a Nashville Tele notes a stark difference in feel and playability due to the neck and fretboard design.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Relics are favored by those who don't have the budget for vintage models and appreciate the pre-aged aesthetic that allows for stress-free usage.

    Source
  • Relic guitars can add to a musician's stage aesthetic, offering a vintage look without the need to gig with valuable vintage instruments.

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  • Owners appreciate the relic finish but express a desire to earn additional wear through regular play, indicating a commitment to long-term use.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Users plan to switch to 11-gauge strings and assess intonation with compensated saddles for improved performance while maintaining a vintage look.

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Features and functionality

  • The slightly hotter loaded '51 Nocaster pickups are noted for their balanced and tactile response, enhancing the guitar's playability and tone.

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  • The guitar features a bridge-blend control instead of a traditional tone knob, offering a unique tonal adjustment option.

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  • Relic finishes can make the neck feel more comfortable, akin to a well-worn, broken-in pair of jeans, enhancing playability.

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  • The guitar is equipped with hand-wound '51 pickups, contributing to its distinctive sound profile.

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  • The compound fretboard radius ranges from 7.25 to 9.5, providing a versatile playing experience that differs from standard Telecasters.

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Value and pricing

  • Some users feel the relicing process unnecessarily increases the guitar's cost, likening it to paying for artificial damage.

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Comparisons

  • Fender's relic finishes are sometimes preferred over Gibson's, with owners noting a more natural appearance on Fender models.

    Source
  • The neck profile of this Custom Shop Tele has a soft V shape tapering to a C shape, contrasting with the deep U shape of the AV2 '51 Tele.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some owners criticize the relicing process for creating unrealistic wear patterns, questioning its authenticity compared to genuine aged guitars.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gerard Way uses Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster

Gerard Way

Singer, Guitarist

My Chemical Romance

...
Verified via Photo

"Playing on a Fender Custom Shop Relic ’52 Telecaster nicknamed “Black Devil” by the either the builder or Fender. It has an Ash Body, which, in folklore, is commonly used to make wooden stakes to kill vampires with, and according to Roman writer Pliny The Elder, all evil things fear ash wood. It’s a beast."

See how Peter Honoré uses Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster

Peter Honoré

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this post Pete can be seen playing his custom shop purple tele. This guitar was bought for him as a birthday gift from his wife. The guitar has a fender nocaster and twisted tele pickup set, which his signature pickup are based on. This guitar and it’s purple color have become synonymous with Pete

See how Josh Rand uses Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster

Josh Rand

Guitarist, Bassist

Roadrunner United

...
Verified via Photo

I though I would pull this beast out today. It’s a Fender Custom Shop 1952 heavy relic telecaster that I’ve named “Keef” for obvious reasons.

See how Brad Tursi uses Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster

Brad Tursi

Guitarist

Old Dominion

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Black

In the provided image, Brad Tursi can be seen playing a Fender Custom Shop Relic '52 Telecaster, which features a humbucker in the neck position.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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