Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Dennis Galuszka Santa Cruz Boardwalk 1959 Telecaster NOS Natural

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Telecaster

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of amazing guitars.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  No matter what, they always knock it out of the park!

This very special Telecaster is a result of this partnership.  In a meeting with Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka, we mentioned a Jazzmaster that we had previously, which he built out of reclaimed Redwood that was originally part of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  We thought that was a one-time occurrence.  Dennis surprised us by saying he had a bit more of that wood - so of course we jumped right on it.  
Redwood is rarely used on a Telecaster, but after hearing this one, we think it should be!  More likely to be used on acoustics, Redwood's stiffness to weight ratio, similar to spruce, makes it an excellent option for guitar tops. Possessing a soundboard of Redwood allows for unparalleled responsiveness across the tonal spectrum.  By putting it to use on a Tele, the result is a warm, rich sound - which evens out the typical twang.

For this reason, we went with Josefina Handwound '58 Tele pickups, to bring back a little bit of that classic Tele sound.  The vintage stagger, enamel wiring and Alnico 5 magnets provide a pure vintage tone.  This can give you all of the Tele twang you could ask for, but with the ability to sound smooth & serene, making it a versatile set. 
The Roasted Quartersawn Maple neck perfectly matches the body.  The '59 C is a bit thicker than the slim 60's Oval C, but not too fat - especially in the first position.  It runs .800" at the 1st fret to .980" at the 12th fret.  This creates a super comfortable neck.  Topped by a AAA rosewood fretboard, it also has the modern touch of a 9.5" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets.   
The guitar is rounded out with period vintage tuners, bridge (with RSD compensated saddles), string tree, neck plate and other hardware.  Dennis picked a tortoise shell pickguard that perfectly matches the guitar.  It comes with a Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  Dennis is one of our favorite builders, especially for exotic wood builds - we feel that it's part of his specialty.  Come to Truetone Music to see it yourself, or order it right here right now.  

About the builder: 

Dennis Galuszka began building high-end acoustic guitars during his 13 years as a cabinetmaker, combining his passions for music and woodworking. As a self-taught drummer, it was a fateful audition with one of the Fender master builders that led to a job interview (and a steady gig). Hired as an apprentice, he was promoted to master builder in 1999. Galuszka has since built instruments for many influential players, including country legend Buck Owens and jazz master Robben Ford.

Specs:

• Part # 9216088301
• Serial # R136282
• Weight: 7.4 lbs
• Finish Package: NOS
• Color: Natural
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer; No Buffing
• Body: Reclaimed Redwood (Santa Cruz Boardwalk)
• Neck: Roasted Quartersawn Maple
• Fretboard: AAA Rosewood (slab)
• Neck Shape: ' 59 C
• Depth at 1st Fret: .800"
• Depth at 12th Fret: .980"
  
• 1.650" Nut Width; 2.200" Butt Width
• 9.50" radius
• Frets: Narrow Tall (6105)
• Micarta White Dots; Wide Spacing
  
• Tuners: Vintage
• Bridge: Vintage 58 - 63 Tele with RSD saddles (compensated)
• Pickups: Custom Shop Josefina Handwound '58 Tele
• 3-way Switch
• Master Volume 
• Master Tone 
• Knobs: Knurled Chrome
• Pickguard: Nitro Tortoise Shell
• Custom Shop Hardshell case with Certificate of Authenticity and Strap