2023 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Terry Kath Telecaster Pignose w/ Case, Tags, CoAitle

Up for sale, a 2023 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Terry Kath Telecaster, like-new and complete with the tweed hardshell case, CoA, hangtags, and all case candy. The highest tier of Fender's Custom Shop, the Masterbuilt models are made by a singular master craftsman, in contrast to other "team built" Custom Shop tiers.

Dealer sourced and never privately owned, this Telecaster was handcrafted by Dennis Galuska: after joining the Fender Shop in 1999, Galuska was promoted to master builder in just eight months, and has since crafted instruments for the likes of Paul McCartney, Andy Summers, Johnny Marr, Sting, and more. This particular Telecaster is one of a heavily-limited run of 50 guitars Galuska made to the exact specs of Chicago guitarist Terry Kath’s heavily-modded ‘66 Tele, affectionately dubbed ‘Pignose.’

Weighing 7lbs 15oz, tonewoods include a two-piece ash body, a maple neck, and a rift sawn maple fretboard. The Curtis Novak Custom Terry Kath humbucker at the neck is thick, warm and mid-heavy, serving as a perfect tonal complement to the wide, fiery twang of the hand-wound ‘67 single-coil at the bridge. Billed as a ‘scratch-for-scratch’ recreation of Kath’s instrument, this Telecaster has received Fender’s heavy relic treatment alongside a bevy of artist-specific modifications, from the decal-covered body to the sawn-off Tele bridge plate and gaff tape-covered trem cavity. This Custom Shop Terry Kath Telecaster benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: Custom neck shape, measuring .830” 1st fret, .920” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rift sawn maple, 7 1/4” radius, 22-fret, dot inlays
• Frets: Vintage Upgrade 45085
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Nut: 1.650”, synthetic bone
• Tuners: Terry Kath M6 180
• Serialization: R-prefix, neck plate
• Factory markings: Neck heel signed/dated by Galuska, Custom Shop chevron logo with Galuska signature on headstock

Body Specs:

• Wood: Ash (2pc)
• Pickups: Curtis Novak Custom Terry Kath humbucker, Hand-Wound ‘67 single coil
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
• Hardware: Vintage Strat tremolo with block saddles, sawn-off Tele bridge plate, string tree x3, dome-top knurled knobs, control plate (reversed)
• Plastics: Black pickup ring, “top hat” switch tip

The tweed hardshell case, CoA, hangtags, and case candy are included.