Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $3,626

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Fender Custom Shop Telecaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Get ready to experience the iconic sound and craftsmanship of the Fender Custom Shop Telecaster. This electric guitar is a modern masterpiece, combining the classic Tele twang with player-centric enhancements that cater to today’s discerning musicians. Crafted from a 2-piece select ash body, it offers a resonant base for your sonic adventures. The contoured neck heel ensures comfortable access to higher frets, making it perfect for those intricate solos.

The guitar boasts a stunning 3A bird's-eye maple neck and fingerboard, featuring a 9.5"–12" compound-radius for that perfect blend of comfort and precision. Whether you're strumming chords or bending notes, the 22 medium-jumbo frets provide a smooth playing experience. The hand-wound Loaded Nocaster pickups are at the heart of this Telecaster, delivering a rich, vintage sound that’s both powerful and transparent. The addition of Fat '50s wiring ensures a tone that blooms naturally, with a clarity that will make your music shine.

Wrapped in a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, this Telecaster not only sounds great but is built to age beautifully, adding character over time. With a deluxe hardshell case, strap locks, and a certificate of authenticity included, every detail of the Fender Custom Shop Telecaster speaks to its premium quality and attention to detail.

Key Features:

  • 2-piece select ash body with contoured neck heel
  • 3A bird's-eye maple neck and fingerboard
  • 22 medium-jumbo frets, with abalone dot inlays
  • Hand-wound Loaded Nocaster neck and bridge pickups
  • Fat '50s wiring for powerful, transparent tone
  • Bi-flex truss rod and nitrocellulose lacquer finish
Fender

Fender

Limited Edition 1963 Heavy Relic® Telecaster® | Fender Custom Shop | Fender

Video thumbnail for Limited Edition 1963 Heavy Relic® Telecaster® | Fender Custom Shop | Fender by Fender

Limited Edition 1963 Heavy Relic® Telecaster® | Fender Custom Shop | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for The Limited Edition Master Built Joe Strummer Telecaster | Fender Custom Shop | Fender by Fender

The Limited Edition Master Built Joe Strummer Telecaster | Fender Custom Shop | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for How Does A Fender 1951 Telecaster Compare To A Fender Custom Shop? by The Studio Rats

How Does A Fender 1951 Telecaster Compare To A Fender Custom Shop?

The Studio Rats

The Studio Rats

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Wildwood 1962 Telecaster | Guitar of the Day - Angela Petrilli by Normans Rare Guitars

Fender Custom Shop Wildwood 1962 Telecaster | Guitar of the Day - Angela Petrilli

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for What a Fender Telecaster is Supposed to Sound Like | Custom Shop 50's vs. 60's Tele by Alamo Music Center

What a Fender Telecaster is Supposed to Sound Like | Custom Shop 50's vs. 60's Tele

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for Fender Custom Shop Wildwood 10 1962 Telecaster Custom  •  SN: R102047 by Wildwood Guitars

Fender Custom Shop Wildwood 10 1962 Telecaster Custom • SN: R102047

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for The Most EXPENSIVE Telecaster I've Ever Played - Fender '53 Custom Shop by John Nathan Cordy

The Most EXPENSIVE Telecaster I've Ever Played - Fender '53 Custom Shop

John Nathan Cordy

John Nathan Cordy

Video thumbnail for No Talking...Just Tones | Fender Custom Shop LTD '60 Tele Custom Relic Black over Chocolate 3TSB by Peach Guitars

No Talking...Just Tones | Fender Custom Shop LTD '60 Tele Custom Relic Black over Chocolate 3TSB

Peach Guitars

Peach Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • Fender Custom Shop's maple fretboards simulate wear with sanded spots, though this aesthetic choice is divisive among owners.

    Source
  • Fender Custom Shop guitars are likened to luxury vehicles, with hand-selected woods, hand-carved necks, and other meticulous detailing that distinguish them from mass-produced models.

    Source
  • Custom Shop guitars often utilize a maximum of two-piece bodies and hand-wound pickups, which are claimed to contribute to their superior stability and craftsmanship.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners frequently mention checking neck specs, as many Custom Shop Teles are made with vintage specifications that may not suit every player’s preferences.

    Source
  • Owners report that boutique guitars like Xotic and Nash sometimes rival or surpass Custom Shop models in terms of neck comfort and overall playability.

    Source
  • Custom Shop guitars are noted for feeling like an "old friend" and playing effortlessly, with vibrant sound even unplugged.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Purchasing used Custom Shop models is recommended for those seeking to minimize financial risk, as they tend to retain a significant portion of their value.

    Source
  • The resale value of Fender Custom Shop guitars is generally higher than boutique brands, making them a safer investment for future liquidation.

    Source
  • Custom Shop guitars are not easily recommended due to high cost; better value may lie in less expensive, modifiable guitars.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • It's suggested to replace stock pickups in American models with Fralin Blues Specials for enhanced tonal quality, coupled with a professional setup to maximize playability.

    Source
  • Owners have replaced CS Nocaster pickups with Cavalier Nashville Lion (bridge) and Lion King (neck) for improved sound.

    Source
  • A 4-way switch for series/parallel options is considered for those seeking versatility in pickup configurations on a Custom Shop Telecaster.

    Source

Comparisons

  • G&L guitars are noted for providing Custom Shop quality at a more affordable price, though the poly shell finish differs significantly from Fender's custom finishes.

    Source
  • Some owners find Nash guitars to have comparable playability to Fender Custom Shop models but suggest avoiding heavy relic finishes due to inconsistent quality.

    Source
  • Xotic guitars are noted for having a slightly darker and warmer tone compared to Fender Custom Shop models, attributed to pickup differences and exceptional wood quality.

    Source
  • Some users find Nash guitars to offer similar playability and aesthetics to Fender Custom Shop models but at a significantly lower price point.

    Source
  • American Professional II series is favored by some over Custom Shop for feel, despite less impressive V-Mod pickups.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some players criticize Fender Custom Shop's neck relicing process as it involves only sanding down the back, lacking the authentic feel of a vintage neck.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Acoustic resonance and feel are highlighted as key strengths for gigging musicians, offering dependable performance.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tomoyasu Hotei uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Tomoyasu Hotei

Singer, Guitarist

BOØWY

...
Verified via Photo

Here's a video of Hotei explaining why he chose this guitar

https://youtu.be/kL1aMvztqfk

See how Ronnie Montrose uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Ronnie Montrose

Guitarist

The Edgar Winter Group

...
Verified via Photo

Auctioned via Julien's in 2013.

Ronnie Montrose's 1992 Telecaster known as "Trigger" with a Parsons B Bender in sunburst, serial number RDM 1013, with a maple cap fingerboard. The guitar was modified by Gene Baker. This guitar was used any time Montrose needed a B Bender in the studio and onstage. Comes with a hardshell case.

PROVENANCE From the Collection of Ronnie Montrose

See how Eric Burton uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Eric Burton

Singer, Guitarist

Black Pumas

...
Verified via Photo

Featured in this October 27, 2019 Instagram post by Black Pumas.

We’re loving these @fender custom shop telecasters! Thanks to the amazing @javirelics @leediaz24 and the whole fender team.

See how Paco Huidobro uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Paco Huidobro

Guitarist, Composer

Fobia

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see Paco using this awesome custom shop telecaster with a bridge tele pickuyp, a mid strat pickup and a neck humbucker. Great sounding guitar :)

See how Kevin Bivona uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Kevin Bivona

Guitarist

Rancid

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 5:35 Kevin talks about his Custom Shop Telecaster which he uses on tour. Kevin first shared this guitar in this instagram post from 2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/BucjsYAA3Ta/ with a chrome covered pickup which has since been replaced. He also uses this guitar in the video for the cover of 'Get Down Moses'

The guitar has one humbucking bridge pickup and seems to have 1 volume knob, 1 tone knob and an on/off switch (unsure if this can be used for coil splitting as well).

See how Duke Erikson uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Duke Erikson

Guitarist, Music Producer

Garbage

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In this profile from Premier Guitar magazine, the sidebar lists a Custom Shop Tele among Erikson's gear.

D

Dave Nassie

Guitarist

No Use for a Name

...
Verified via Photo

Listening to tons of #dannygatton #jimmybryant and #speedywest makes you seek out new toys. Loosing sleep over this one. #fender #customshop #telecaster @fenderguitar #illcastashadow #blacktoothgrin #thankful

See how Luke McQueary uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Luke McQueary

Guitarist

Don Kelley Band

...
Verified via Photo

In this post, McQueary posts a photo of his Fender Custom Shop Sparkle Telecaster, which has B-bender.

See how Ronnie Dunn uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Ronnie Dunn

Singer

Brooks & Dunn

...
Verified via YouTube

Ronnie Dunn is consistently seen with what looks like a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster based off the Nashville model. 3 pickups with white binding in a tuxedo finish. Could also be the “Buckaroo” Tele made in the ‘90s.

See how Larry Campbell uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Larry Campbell

Guitarist

Phil Lesh and Friends

...
Verified via Vintageguitar

Per a June 2016 interview in Vintage Guitar, this is his main guitar. It is a custom shop guitar which Larry quotes Matt Umanov as saying was originally made for Bob Dylan. Larry toured and recorded with Dylan for several years so it fulfilled its mission in a way.

"My main guitar. I got it at Umanov’s in the ’90s. Matt said that the Custom Shop had made it for Dylan, and if you take the neck off, it says 'Dylan' in there. It came with a B-bender, which I use sparingly; I try to emulate that stuff with my fingers instead. I found that once I started using it, I was using it too much."

See how Ray Benson uses Fender Custom Shop Telecaster

Ray Benson

Guitarist

Asleep at the Wheel

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

The guitar was featured in 2021 Premier Guitar rig rundown.

Ray Benson’s big body Texas Telecaster from the Fender Nashville Custom Shop features an ebony fretboard and a push-push coil tap for neck pickup in the tone control. The volume control is a stacked control with a 500k pot in the neck humbucker and a 250k pot for Tele pickup. About this Tele one-off, famed Fender guru Tim Shaw says: “To accommodate Ray’s wish for a larger guitar without totally changing the Tele’s geometry, Josh Hurst drew up a body that’s the same in the neck joint/cutaway area but is larger in the lower bout. The body is ash, and it’s not chambered. This body shape was the basis for the Acoustasonic Tele. “Ray wanted an ebony fingerboard, so we had our colleagues in the Corona R&D model shop make him a custom neck,” Shaw continues. “He also wanted a neck humbucking pickup but didn’t want to overwind the bridge pickup to match the higher output of the humbucker. I wound a set matching a mid-’60s spec Tele bridge pickup with a custom neck pickup (that also has a coil split on an S-1 switch.)” Like all of Benson’s electrics, this Tele is strung with John Pearse Strings (.012, .014, .017, .036, .040, .052).

K

Kevin Kadish

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Sound On Sound

Kevin Kadish used a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster during the original recording of Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass," as confirmed by Sound On Sound's article "Inside Track: All About That Bass."

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Strymon Zuma
Strymon Zuma Effects Pedal Accessories
2
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster 1969
Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster 1969 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve
Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve Guitar Amplifier Stacks
1
Devi Ever bit mangler
Devi Ever bit mangler Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
RADIAL Bigshot I/O
RADIAL Bigshot I/O Switch Effects Pedals
1
1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

More Fender Custom Shop Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides