The Fender Custom Shop 1961 Telecaster Heavy Relic is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic workhorse guitars in history, aged to perfection with authentic character and detail. Built from a 2-piece roasted alder body finished in a beautifully Faded/Aged 3-Tone Sunburst, its nitrocellulose lacquer Heavy Relic treatment captures decades of honest playwear for a road-worn vibe that feels instantly familiar.
A plain grain maple neck carved to a comfortable 1960 Oval “C” profile offers a smooth, broken-in feel, complemented by a AAA rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5" radius and vintage clay dot inlays. With narrow tall 6105 frets and early ’60s truss rod construction, playability is effortless while retaining vintage authenticity.
Electronics are powered by a pair of hand-wound ’63 Tele pickups, delivering the punch, clarity, and twang that made the Telecaster legendary. Traditional master volume and tone controls with a 3-way blade switch provide classic tonal versatility.
Vintage-style threaded steel saddles, Tele 58–63 bridge, and aged chrome/nickel hardware complete the historically accurate package, while the relic’d pickguard, top hat switch tip, and knurled chrome knobs add period-correct style.
Each instrument ships with a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity.
General
Series: 1961 Telecaster Heavy Relic
Orientation: Right-Hand
Color: Faded/Aged 3-Tone Sunburst (Bleached)
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Heavy Relic
Country Of Origin: US
Neck
Headstock: Telecaster®
Neck Material: Maple Plain Grain
Neck Finish: Dark Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1960 Style Oval "C"
Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .790"
Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .930"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" Radius
Fingerboard Material: AAA 9 mm Rosewood (Flat Lam)
Position Inlays: Vintage Clay
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Tall / 6105
Truss Rod: Early 60's
String Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Nut Material: Bone
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Body
Body: 2-Piece Roasted Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Heavy Relic
Body Shape: Telecaster®
Body Style: Solid Body
Body Notes: Off-center seam, treble side
Hardware
Bridge: Tele 58–63 W/O P/O Relic
Bridge Saddles: Vintage-Style Threaded Steel, Relic
Pickguard: 60 Tele Nitrocellulose Relic
Hardware Finish: Chrome/Nickel, Relic
Tuning Machines: Vintage Tele Relic
Strings: .010–.046
Neck Plate: Vintage V Logo Relic
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Hand-Wound ’63 Tele Bridge, Relic
Neck Pickup: Hand-Wound ’63 Tele Neck, Relic
Pickup Configuration: SS
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Position Blade
Switch Tip: Vintage Top Hat, Relic
Knobs: Knurled Chrome Relic
Accessories
Included Accessories: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity
A plain grain maple neck carved to a comfortable 1960 Oval “C” profile offers a smooth, broken-in feel, complemented by a AAA rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5" radius and vintage clay dot inlays. With narrow tall 6105 frets and early ’60s truss rod construction, playability is effortless while retaining vintage authenticity.
Electronics are powered by a pair of hand-wound ’63 Tele pickups, delivering the punch, clarity, and twang that made the Telecaster legendary. Traditional master volume and tone controls with a 3-way blade switch provide classic tonal versatility.
Vintage-style threaded steel saddles, Tele 58–63 bridge, and aged chrome/nickel hardware complete the historically accurate package, while the relic’d pickguard, top hat switch tip, and knurled chrome knobs add period-correct style.
Each instrument ships with a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity.
General
Series: 1961 Telecaster Heavy Relic
Orientation: Right-Hand
Color: Faded/Aged 3-Tone Sunburst (Bleached)
Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Heavy Relic
Country Of Origin: US
Neck
Headstock: Telecaster®
Neck Material: Maple Plain Grain
Neck Finish: Dark Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1960 Style Oval "C"
Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .790"
Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .930"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" Radius
Fingerboard Material: AAA 9 mm Rosewood (Flat Lam)
Position Inlays: Vintage Clay
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Tall / 6105
Truss Rod: Early 60's
String Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Nut Material: Bone
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Body
Body: 2-Piece Roasted Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Heavy Relic
Body Shape: Telecaster®
Body Style: Solid Body
Body Notes: Off-center seam, treble side
Hardware
Bridge: Tele 58–63 W/O P/O Relic
Bridge Saddles: Vintage-Style Threaded Steel, Relic
Pickguard: 60 Tele Nitrocellulose Relic
Hardware Finish: Chrome/Nickel, Relic
Tuning Machines: Vintage Tele Relic
Strings: .010–.046
Neck Plate: Vintage V Logo Relic
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Hand-Wound ’63 Tele Bridge, Relic
Neck Pickup: Hand-Wound ’63 Tele Neck, Relic
Pickup Configuration: SS
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Position Blade
Switch Tip: Vintage Top Hat, Relic
Knobs: Knurled Chrome Relic
Accessories
Included Accessories: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity
