Description
The Fender Custom Shop 1956 Esquire Relic with Closet Classic Hardware proves that one pickup can be all you need. Stripped down to its essentials, the Esquire was Fender's original electric workhorse, delivering uncompromising tone, remarkable responsiveness, and a direct connection between player and amplifier. This Custom Shop recreation embraces that philosophy while adding the feel and visual character of a treasured vintage instrument that has spent decades making music.
Built around a lightweight two-piece select ash body, this Esquire resonates with the lively attack and acoustic liveliness that made Fender's earliest designs so revolutionary. The Super Aged Charcoal Frost Metallic finish gives this guitar a distinctly custom look while maintaining the authenticity of a well-played vintage instrument. The heavy aging reveals years of imagined road wear and stage history, while Closet Classic hardware adds just the right amount of patina to complete the illusion.
At the center of the guitar is a Custom Shop Hand-Wound '55-'56 Esquire bridge pickup. Delivering everything from cutting country twang to snarling blues growl and aggressive rock-and-roll bite, this pickup showcases why so many players still gravitate toward the simplicity of the Esquire design. The traditional three-position Esquire wiring expands its tonal range far beyond what most expect from a single-pickup instrument. Position one sends the pickup directly to the output for maximum output and attack, position two engages the volume control, and position three adds the tone circuit for warmer, smoother textures.
The one-piece quartersawn maple neck features an authentic 11/56 Off-Center "V" profile that feels substantial and comfortable in the hand. A vintage compound radius transitions from 7.25" to 9.5", blending classic Fender feel with improved playability for bends and modern techniques. Narrow tall frets and a bone nut further enhance the playing experience, while the vintage-style heel-adjust truss rod preserves period-correct construction.
Visually, the contrast between the aged Charcoal Frost Metallic finish, parchment pickguard, and amber-tinted maple neck creates a striking appearance that feels both vintage and unique. The minimalist Esquire layout allows every detail to stand out, reinforcing the purposeful simplicity that has made this design a cult favorite for generations.
For players who appreciate pure Fender tone and direct, unfiltered responsiveness, the Fender Custom Shop 1956 Esquire Relic with Closet Classic Hardware delivers an unforgettable experience. Equal parts vintage tool and Custom Shop masterpiece, it captures the essence of Leo Fender's earliest vision while offering the craftsmanship and playability modern musicians demand.
Specifications:
- Body Material: 2-Piece Select Ash
- Body Shape: Telecaster
- Body Style: Solid Body
- Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer Relic
- Color: Super Aged Charcoal Frost Metallic
- Neck Material: 1-Piece Quartersawn Maple
- Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Neck Shape: 11/56 Off Center "V"
- Fingerboard Material: 1-Piece Quartersawn Maple
- Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" to 9.5" Vintage Compound Radius
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1.650"
- Nut Material: Bone
- Number of Frets: 21
- Frets: Narrow Tall (6105)
- Inlays: Black Micarta Dot
- Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Heel Adjust
- Tuners: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
- Bridge: 3-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Tele with Brass Saddles
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
- Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome
- Switch Tip: Black Top Hat Style
- String Tree: American Vintage '56-'58
- Neck Plate: 4-Bolt with Custom Shop "V" Logo
- Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound '55-'56 Single-Coil Tele
- Pickup Configuration: S
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
- Switching: 3-Position Blade; Position 1. Pickup Straight to Output Jack, Position 2. Pickup with Volume Control, Position 3. Pickup with Volume and Tone Control
- Case Included: Deluxe Hardshell Case
Sku: 9235700212
