Fender Custom Shop CuNiFe Blackguard Bigsby Telecaster Heavy Relic - Aged Nocaster Blonde

This Fender Custom Shop CuNiFe Blackguard Bigsby Telecaster Heavy Relic captures the spirit of an early Fender original that has lived a full musical life. Finished in Aged Nocaster Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer, the Heavy Relic treatment feels convincingly earned, with wear patterns that echo decades of stages, studios, and late nights. The two piece ash body resonates with classic Tele snap and openness, while the Bigsby B5 adds a smooth, expressive vibrato that expands the instrument’s vintage voice without losing its identity.

The quarter sawn maple neck features a 57 style soft V profile that sits naturally in the hand, offering a comfortable balance between vintage character and modern playability. A 9.5 inch fingerboard radius and narrow tall 6105 frets make bends effortless and precise, while the bone nut and vintage style slotted truss rod stay true to period correct details. The nitrocellulose lacquer neck finish feels broken in from the first chord, reinforcing the Custom Shop’s attention to tactile realism.

Tonally, this Telecaster stands apart thanks to its unique pickup pairing. The Custom Shop hand wound 50-51 Blackguard Tele bridge pickup delivers the unmistakable bite, twang, and harmonic sparkle that define the model. In the neck position, the Wide Range CuNiFe humbucker brings warmth, depth, and clarity, with a rich midrange that complements the bridge beautifully. Together, they offer a broad tonal palette that moves effortlessly from cutting vintage Tele tones to fuller, more expansive sounds. Simple volume and tone controls and a three position toggle keep everything intuitive and player focused.

Finished with a 51 Nocaster pickguard, knurled chrome knobs, barrel style switch tip, and vintage style tuning machines, every detail reinforces the guitar’s classic lineage. Weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz, this is a solid, resonant instrument that feels substantial without being cumbersome. This Custom Shop CuNiFe Blackguard Telecaster is a bold blend of early Fender tradition and thoughtful customization, built to inspire players who value feel, tone, and history in equal measure.

Other specifications include:

• Model Name: CuNiFe Black Guard Bigsby Telecaster Heavy Relic - Aged Nocaster Blonde
• Model Number: 9231016755
• Color: Aged Nocaster Blonde
• Body Shape: Telecaster®
• Body Material: 2-Piece Ash
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Material: Quarter Sawn Maple
• Neck Shape: 57 Style Soft "V"
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
• Number of Frets: 21
• Fret Size: Narrow Tall 6105
• String Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
• Truss Rod Nut: Vintage-Style Slotted
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Vintage
• Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Position Inlays: Micarta Black Dot
• Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound 50-51 Blackguard Telecaster
• Neck Pickup: Wide-Range CuNiFe Humbucking
• Controls: Volume, Tone
• Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
• Pickup Configuration: SH
• Bridge: Bigsby B5
• Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
• Orientation: Right-Hand
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Pickguard: 51 Nocaster
• Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome
• Switch Tips: Barrel Style
• Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
• 8 lbs 7 oz
• #R148897

For more information about this Fender Custom Shop Instrument, please contact us.