While, you don't find many electric guitars hanging on our walls, the select ones that make their way in are always some undeniably choice pieces. This unique Telecaster built by Master Builder Chris Fleming is, if anything, undeniably fantastic in every way! Adam and I have falling in love with this darlin' Tele and its matching amp; to the point we had to make a pact not to play it more than necessary. I must say I've had trouble living up to my end of the deal. It is an exceptional example of the clear distinction between a standard American Fender and the top-notch work of a Master Builder like Chris Fleming. He only made an exclusive 100 sets, and is a must have for any Tele enthusiast such as myself!
Chris Fleming was one of the most esteemed Master Builders for the Fender Custom Shop. He quickly became the go-to builder for Telecasters - being a devoted fan for years. When Fleming began mapping out his Master Design Limited Edition Run, the decision was made right away ; he would create an exact replica of his personal and beloved 1955 Telecaster - down to the meticulous relicing process that perfectly recreates the look and feel of a well-loved, vintage Telecaster. Fleming no longer works at the Custom Shop, so finding Teles such as this will be more and more rare.
The 55 Telecaster Relic is built with a side seam ash body, with the weight and sustain of a vintage instrument. The one-piece maple neck has a matchless, rounded, and fat C-shaped profile. The shape of the neck fits perfectly in your left hand - one of the fastest necks we've played in far too long. While some are utterly opposed to the idea of relic'd guitars, there is a clear advantage to a neck that feels 50 years broken in right out of the box. Fleming has made a point to recreate the feel of his own Telecaster, and his personal commitment to authenticity is clearly shown in the minor details. The heavy neck wear in the first position, the worn fingerboard in higher "high-traffic" playing positions, and the vintage profile come together in a beautiful way.
The 1-ply white pickguard is wired in a modern way, but features two pickups that Fleming himself designed to impeccably mimic the tone and response of the originals. The result is classic Telecaster twang, spark, and sweetness. The knobs roll effortlessly, but still have enough resistance to smoothly operate with a pinky. The vertsatility of the pickup combination is countless.
Fleming has completed the vintage package by also including a relic'd Tweed Pro Junior amp and tweed hardshell case. In the tradition of early Fender amps such as the Champ, Princeton and Harvard, the Pro Junior is a small, pure and uncomplicated 10" all-tube amp. Crank it up for the natural tube overdrive we all search for. The tweed covering is worn to show years of on the road use, including a beer bottle ring on the top! The case is also covered in tweed, and has been worn and torn just like the amp. Inside the case is a ton of candy, including the ashtray cover, a set of strings, a polish cloth, a leather strap, and a letter of authenticity signed by C. Flemming himself. All of the case candy is still sealed and has never been opened!
While showing playing wear is the whole point of this set, it has hardly been played at all. The guitar so no fretwear what-so-ever. The left locking latch on the case is broken, but I feel like it completes the whole look. Don't miss out on the chance to play and own a small piece of Fender new generation history!
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This instrument has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar instrument. Tags: amp, chris fleming, fender, relic, telecaster
