Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt ’68 Telecaster Relic – Pink Paisley – Used Fender Custom Shop

This guitar belonged to Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem. It was featured in Brian’s live touring guitar rig – most recently played at their three-night run at the Stone Pony Summer Stage celebrating the tenth anniversary of his band’s 2008 sophomore LP, The ’59 Sound.

Fender debuted the Paisley finish in 1968 and has been sought after by players and collectors alike for many years.  Paisley isn’t a “finish” in the typical sense – it is a printed paper with a polyurethane clear coat acting as a sealant.  As a Paisley finish ages, it takes on a patina that may bring to mind the old Polaroid photos in your parents’ attic, or Al and Peggy Bundy’s notorious living room couch.  This Paisley finish – on the other hand – is far from fade and yellowing, and instead boasts itself as a metallic counterpart.

This relic ’68 Telecaster was masterbuilt by Paul Waller of the Fender Custom Shop.  Among accolades, Waller’s work includes custom basses and guitars for Adam Clayton and Bono of U2, and – top tier Tele pedigree – Telecasters for Keith and Ronnie from the Rolling Stones.  The neck and fingerboard of this masterbuilt Telecaster are genuine solid Rosewood.  Steel saddles and ’70s-style “F” tuners add to this guitar’s vintage-inspired character and design.  Currently, the guitar is equipped with a 3-ply mint green pickguard, and the original clear pickguard is included in the case. This guitar is being presented as it was when last used live – with mint pickguard. Inside the case is an Abby Telecaster bridge single coil. For those not in the know, Abby is Abigail Ybarra, Fender’s longest employed factory worker, specializing in hand-winding pickups. This Tele bridge pickup is dated 2-27-12, and Ybarra retired from Fender in 2013. This is an incredibly comfortable Telecaster – and made to be played.  The profile of the solid Rosewood neck feels late ’60s/early ’70s inspired – not too thick or thin; fit for many different players’ hands.  It weighs in at 7 lbs, 7 oz – not too heavy or too light for a Telecaster. Double stops, tone swells, and unapologetic thrashing are all capable on this Tele.  Its relic package models a guitar that has been played out but well watched after; just in the right places.  Now, this guitar needs a new player and new inspiration.  

This is a one-of-a-kind Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, built for one of the prodigal sons of New Jersey – and one of our very good friends. Direct from Fallon’s rig to yours could be this Custom Shop Pink Paisley Telecaster.

Ships with: Certificate of Authenticity, CruzTools maintenance kit, Fender Custom Shop microfiber towel, bridge cover, picks, FCS Strap, original pickguard, orginal pickup