Fender Custom Shop 1956 Esquire "Chicago Special" Heavy Relic Super Aged 1955 Desert Tan (Serial #R138244)

Designed as a love letter to Fender's transitional era of 1954–1956, the Fender Custom Shop '56 Esquire "Chicago Special" models—an instrument that nods to each year’s unique contributions. Starting in 1954, we included the 1/4" smooth saddles, single-ply white pickguard, and top hat switch tip that made their debut that year. From 1955, we borrowed the hotter, staggered pole piece bridge pickup for better string-to-string volume balance. And to capture the feel of its namesake year, 1956, we chose an exceptionally comfortable off-center “V” neck profile, flat-top knobs, and a butterfly string tree with a period-correct decal placement.

To make this Esquire truly stage-ready, a thoughtfully selected wiring scheme popularized by Fender Custom Shop’s Mike Eldred was chosen instead of the traditional “neck” position. Instead, it's been swapped out for a fixed-value capacitor which produces a subtle cocked-wah effect—perfect for pushing a solo forward or taming even the brightest amp tones.

Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster Stagger

• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Position Blade
• Position 1. Bridge Pickup w/No Tone Control
• Position 2. Bridge Pickup w/Tone Control
• Position 3. Bridge Pickup w/"Fixed Wah" Capacitor

General:
Brand Name: Fender
Case Type: Hardshell Case
Hardware Color: Nickel/Chrome
Made in: Made in the USA
Product Color: Super Aged 1955 Desert Tan
Relic or Aging Level: Heavy Relic
Serial Number: R138244
Series: Fender Custom Shop
Weight: 6lbs 7oz

Body:
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material: 2-Piece Ash (Sort for Light Weight)
Body Shape: Esquire

Neck:
Fingerboard Inlay: Micarta Black .250
Fingerboard Material: 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple
Headstock Inlay or Decal: '50-62 Esquire
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Joint: 4 Bolt
Neck Material: 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple
Neck Shape: 11/56 Off Center "V" (.880-.980)
Neck Thickness (in): .880"@1st, .980"@12th
Neck Tint or Color: Medium Tint
Number of Frets: 21 Frets
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.65"
Side Marker Inlay: Micarta Black 3/32"
Truss Rod: '50s

Electronics:
Bridge Pickup: Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster Stagger
Controls and Switching: Master Volume, Master Tone; 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup w/No Tone Control, Position 2. Bridge Pickup w/Tone Control, Position 3. Bridge Pickup w/"Fixed Wah" Capacitor

Hardware:
Bridge: Telecaster '55-57
Fret Wire: Medium Vintage / 47095
Knobs: Knurled Aluminum
Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
Saddle Material: Metal
String Tree: American Vintage '56-58
Switch Cap: Black Top Hat
Tuning Machines: Vintage w/Fender Logo