Fender Telecaster Custom

Fender Telecaster Custom
ManufacturerFender
Period1959-1981 (original production)
Construction
Body typeSolid
Neck jointBolt-on neck
Scale25.5"
Woods
BodyAlder
NeckMaple
FretboardMaple/Rosewood
Hardware
BridgeFixed
Pickup(s)Two Single-coils (1959-1972)
One single-coil (bridge) and one Fender Wide Range humbucker (neck) (1972-1981)
Colors available
Black, 3-Color Sunburst

The Fender Telecaster Custom is a model of electric guitar made by Fender. The Custom debuted at the 1959 NAMM Convention as a more ornate alternative to the standard Telecaster, with binding, a sunburst finish, and a rosewood fretboard option. Following the introduction of Fender's Wide Range humbucker pickup, the Custom was redesigned to feature that new humbucker, rather than the single-coil, in the neck position, and new tone and volume controls for each pickup. This new version was launched alongside the similar Telecaster Deluxe in 1972 and found notable players including Keith Richards and Peter Buck, but neither guitar was popular and both were discontinued in 1981. Fender has since reissued the two models multiple times to take advantage of renewed interest in them that began in the 1990s.