Up for sale, a 1958 Fender Telecaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order. One of the last Whiteguard Teles of the '50s to feature a string-through body bridge (predating the top-loader design used in 1958-59), this Telecaster also boasts a highly figured one-piece maple neck with a deep V profile carve, retaining its 12-57 pencil date. A complete vintage example with original pickups, hardware, and electronics, this Tele features a body-only refinish courtesy of former Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilder J.W. Black in vintage-correct transparent white Blonde nitro lacquer, with the original 1-58 grease pencil date in the bridge pickup cavity.

With a solid ash body and one-piece maple neck, these classic Fender tonewood ingredients deliver incredible clarity and dynamic snap, with a bold, rich sonic profile faithfully translated through the pickups. The original black bobbin bridge pickup positively shines with a dynamic, sparkling twang and a rich, textured sound. The pickup has the distinctive character of naturally aged magnets, and there's a sweetness and "squish" that exists alongside the chewy snap inherent in this pickup design. The original neck pickup compliments the bridge perfectly with warmth, bell-like chime, and enough breadth to excel for lead work. The instrument is well-balanced and lightweight at 7lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

The maple neck has a full V profile carve with rolled fretboard edges, maintaining the V shape all the way up the neck and featuring prominent flame figuring that extends the length of the profile and across the headstock. The profile measures .870" deep at the 1st fret and .915" at the 12th. The fretboard has been refretted with vintage-spec 6230 fretwire, currently showing just a touch of wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-2. The guitar plays effortlessly up the straight neck which retains its original 7 1/4" fretboard radius. The neck is straight and the truss rod is optimally adjusted, necessitating little adjustment in the last 60+ years with a truss rod nut still flush with the heel. A new bone nut has been carved, measuring 1 5/8" in width. The headstock retains the original Kluson Deluxe single line tuning machines which have uniform surface patina, turning smoothly and holding pitch well. The neck heel retains its original 12-57 pencil date, and the heel exhibits a short, professionally addressed split across one of the mounting holes.

The electronics include both original black bobbin pickups which have been professionally rewound in the past, currently metering at 6.65k in the bridge position and 6.63k at the neck. The pickups are soldered to the original pair of Stackpole pots which date to the 4th week of 1957, and the tone caps are exacting reproductions of the originals, hand-made and aged in appearance. All of the hardware is original including the Pat. Pending bridge plate, spiral saddles, control plate, and pair of flat top knurled knobs. The original one-ply white pickguard is also intact.

The body finish was done by J.W. Black, one of the founding members of Fender's Custom Shop and a Masterbuilder who still crafts his own exclusive line of Fender-inspired instruments. The finish is exquisitely well-executed, with a proper tan line under the guard and control plate, broad lacquer checking, and tasteful simulated wear to match the original playwear on the neck profile. The 1-58 grease pencil date has also been retained in the bridge pickup cavity. The neck profile retains its original deeply ambered nitro lacquer gloss, highlighting the deep and dimensional ripples of flame figuring that extend along the profile length. Most of the fretboard gloss has been worn away by natural playwear, and there are some scattered small marks and light wear through the gloss central to the V shape. It's a very inviting neck with no wear that’s deep or distracting to the palm.

A modern tweed Fender G&G "Thermometer" hardshell case with gold crushed velvet interior is included.

A note on shipping: Shipping in the continental USA will be $250, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Two-Day Air. Overnight shipping is available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We happily ship Worldwide.