Description
The Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Masterbuilt Mike Campbell 1972 "Red Dog" Telecaster in Red Dog Red is not just a signature instrument; it is a road-worn piece of rock history brought back to life with obsessive attention to detail. Built for players who connect with character, grit, and storytelling in their gear, this guitar captures the spirit of Mike Campbell's trusted workhorse; the very instrument behind the driving force of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Masterbuilt by Senior Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka, this recreation honors every scar, modification, and sonic nuance of the original "Red Dog," offering a deeply personal connection to one of rock's most tasteful and enduring players.
At its core is a two-piece select alder body, delivering a balanced tonal foundation with warmth and clarity that suits everything from jangly cleans to gritty, punchy overdrive. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish, aged to reflect decades of use, gives the Red Dog Red color a naturally faded, broken-in look that feels alive in your hands. What sets this Tele apart is its unique pickup configuration; a custom-voiced Arcane Tele bridge pickup paired with Arcane humbuckers in the middle and neck positions. This setup opens up a wide tonal landscape, from classic Tele bite to thicker, more aggressive textures. The addition of the Analogman-wired "Destruct" button injects an instant boost, pushing your signal into rich saturation for leads that cut through any mix.
The one-piece maple neck features a custom Oval C profile that feels comfortably substantial without slowing you down. Its 7.25 inch radius and vintage upgrade frets provide a familiar, broken-in playing surface that encourages expressive phrasing and dynamic control. The Bigsby B5 tailpiece paired with a vintage-style Jazzmaster bridge introduces a smooth, responsive vibrato feel, while maintaining solid tuning stability with the help of vintage-style F-stamped tuners and a bone nut. This is a guitar that feels as seasoned as it sounds.
Visually, the Red Dog Telecaster tells its story before you even plug in. Every nick, worn edge, and hardware detail has been carefully recreated to match the original, giving it the unmistakable look of a guitar that has lived on stages for decades. The bold red finish, parchment pickguard, and three-pickup layout create a striking presence that reflects both rebellion and refinement.
At Cream City Music, we see this Masterbuilt Red Dog as something truly special. It is a guitar for players who value history, individuality, and tone shaped by experience. Plug it in and you are not just playing notes; you are stepping into a legacy that still resonates today.
Specifications:
- Body: 2-Piece Select Alder
- Body Shape: Telecaster
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Aged Relic
- Color: Red Dog Red
- Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
- Neck Shape: Custom Oval C
- Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Number of Frets: 21
- Fret Size: Vintage Upgrade (45085)
- Inlays: Black Dot
- Nut Material: Bone
- Bridge: Vintage-Style Jazzmaster Bridge with Bigsby B5 Tailpiece
- Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style F-Stamped
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
- String Trees: American Vintage '65+ with Nylon Spacers
- Bridge Pickup: Custom-Voiced Arcane Telecaster
- Middle Pickup: Custom-Voiced Arcane Humbucker
- Neck Pickup: Custom-Voiced Arcane Humbucker
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Destruct Button
- Switching: 5-Way
- Wiring: Custom Telecaster Wiring with Analogman Boost Circuit
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case
Sku: 9215700031
