I have owned 7 Fender Custom Shop Tele Jr’s in the past 24 years, always been smitten with this chambered set neck model with two P90s. You know it’s a good one when it sounds great acoustically, and this has that thing. I’d say the condition is very good, with a few honest playing dings/chips – as it is a 24 yr old glossy lacquer ( NOT poly) finish, this is typical wear.
OK, let’s discuss the history of Fender Custom Shop Tele Jr’s, from my personal research and experience. A prototype I have seen stated it was originally a test guitar for the Custom Amp Shop at Fender around 1992. Obviously, it pays homage to Gibson Les Paul Special, but different for several good reasons. It’s 25.5″ scale, and it’s chambered, has a non-tremolo American Standard bridge (string thru) and non-locking tuners (thankfully). Earlier models, such as this one, as first appearing in Fender Frontline (which I have scans of) in 1994 had 11 ‘tone chambers’, which not only lightened the mahogany body, but gave it more acoustic resonance. The fingerboard is Pao Ferro btw. It’s no secret that in the mid 90’s, then contemporary producer of heavy guitar tones, Jerry Finn, was a fan and had many of these instruments – you know the tones on Blink-182, Sum 41, and many others. His stuff was for sale on this and other sites over past couple years, take a look. Not making claims on which guitars played on what tracks, but this is easily research-able. The stock pickups are super-hot Duncan’s. The pickups included here are those high outputs. If you are looking for that sound, maybe in drop D tuning, these pickups are the way to go. I have also had a lot of success installing lower wind pickups in these guitars if you desire more chime / less heavy tones. I would also point out that originally Fender built these with the control plate in reverse order from traditional Telecasters. The volume knob is closest to neck, switch closer to jack, making it less of a stretch to do volume swells.
There were a series of initial runs by the Custom shop in 1994. Blonde and Sunburst had 100 and 150 respectively. This Shoreline Gold series was a special run for Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center in MD. I know because I bought one new from them (#9) and still have it and have played in front of thousands with it. It’s a very special guitar to me. This one is 5 numbers before and is slightly lighter actually. Inside pickup cavity dated 10/94. There is case candy, but not the COA on this one. Comes with a original hard shell Brown tolex case, which has a few stains on exterior, but protects the guitar just fine.
There are two other Tele Jr is the same color currently listed at much too high a price…that’s not how we operate. This is a real guitar by a serious Tele Jr aficionado who knows more about this model than most. I really think you will enjoy this overlooked gem.
Weight is 7lbs 5oz.
