[SN RT0101] USED FENDER CUSTOM SHOP / MBS 1959 Telecaster Relic by Ron Thorn, Aged White Blonde [06]

Ishibashi Music Corporation. Verified independent store

→

A used 1959 Telecaster with a relic finish by former Principal Master Builder Ron Thorn has arrived! Ron Thorn spent just five years—from 2018 to 2023—at the Fender Custom Shop, wh ere he served as the first "Principal Master Builder," crafting guitars and mentoring other builders. Since he now builds under his own brand, genuine Fender-style guitars from his Master Builder era are relatively rare on the market. This newly arrived model features an exquisite relic finish, with dense weather checking running across the body and a sun-bleached aged white blonde tone. It features a two-piece ash body with an offset seam on the G-string side and a straight-grained maple neck, selected for its vintage-inspired specifications. The neck shape is a "60s-Style Oval 'C'," which is thinner at the nut and gradually thickens toward the heel. The slab-jointed rosewood fingerboard combines a 7.25"–9.5" compound radius with "Medium Vintage / 47095" frets, offering a playing feel that accommodates modern playing styles without being overly contemporary. The guitar is equipped with a set of "Hand Wound 63 Telecaster" pickups, hand-wound by Ms. Josefa Campos. Within the wide-ranging sound characteristic of an ash body, you can still feel a solid midrange presence. The relic finish is specified as "Fine Cross Grain Check." The relic finish has also been applied to the hardware, including the spiral-saddle bridge and the Kluson-style tuners bearing the Fender logo. The single-ply pickguard also has a relic finish, but there is a crack next to the screw hole that likely predates the relic treatment. It appears to have been repaired and is not chipped. There is a darkened area at the base of the headstock that appears to be discoloration from a stand. While recent relic finishes often involve stripping the paint from the entire back of the neck, this instrument retains most of its original finish. However, there is some paint peeling on the neck side near the 1st to 3rd frets, which is believed to be part of the relic finish. As for other scratches and dents, it is difficult to determine whether they are original to the instrument or the result of the relic finish; however, overall, there is little sign of wear, and it remains in excellent condition. It has been cleaned, fully adjusted, and had its frets dressed since arrival. A rare instrument crafted by Ron Thorn, the retired "Principal Master Builder" of the Custom Shop—a gem that’s equally delightful to play and to display. If you’ve been searching for one, please consider this opportunity. * We sincerely apologize, but we are unable to offer this item for sale at any other Ishibashi Music stores or through transfer within the company. Condition Grade: B+: Some minor scratches, but no issues for normal use Serial Number: RT0101 Year of Manufacture: 2020 Country of Manufacture: USA Case: Hard Case Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity, Spec Sheet, Manual, Bridge Cover, Cleaning Cloth, Strap Weight: 3.29 kg Truss Rod: No issues; checked up to 60 degrees left and right with no problems Fret Wear: Within normal range; fret height is sufficient for playing String height (low string side): 2.0 mm at the 12th fret String height (treble side): 1.5 mm at the 12th fret Nut width: 1.650" Neck thickness near the 1st fret: 0.790" Neck thickness near the 12th fret: 0.930" Scale: 648mm (25.5") Radius: 184mm (7.25")–241mm (9.5") Strings at Setup: ERNIE BALL 2221 / .010-.046 set Repairs and Maintenance: Cleaning, string replacement, truss rod adjustment, octave adjustment, string height adjustment, fret leveling * As this is a used item, there may be scratches, dents, and other imperfections that are not visible in the photos or not listed here. Please be aware of this in advance. * Any measurements listed for the truss rod, remaining fret life, or string height were taken by our staff during setup. These values are subject to change due to environmental factors such as climate and humidity. These measurements are intended as a reference at the time of purchase; we cannot guarantee that the measurements will be the same when the item arrives. * This item is a one-of-a-kind product currently listed simultaneously on multiple marketplaces, including our in-store display. While we strive to promptly remove product listings upon sale, updates are not always made in real time. We sincerely apologize if the item happens to be sold out after you place your order, and we ask for your understanding. Show more