New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces the ’65 Telecaster Custom Heavy Relic Maple. With a two-piece select alder body featuring elegant double parchment binding and heavy Relic lacquer finishes in Faded Three-Color Sunburst, Aged Sherwood Metallic and Aged Lake Placid Blue, it imparts the extremely satisfying look, feel and vibe of a mid-’60s Telecaster Custom that’s been put through decades of heavy wear and tear.

The quartersawn maple neck has a Large “C” profile that’s thinner towards the nut and gradually thickens toward the 12th fret for comfortable, full feel; topped with a 9.5”-radius round-lam maple fingerboard with 21 narrow tall (6105) frets and a bone nut. The Custom Shop hand-wound Twisted Tele® neck pickup delivers extra bite with a hint of Stratocaster® punch, while the Custom Shop hand-wound Original Blackguard Tele® bridge pickup provides all the twang and clarity for which early-’50s models are celebrated. Modern Telecaster wiring with three-way pickup switching and the Greasebucket™ tone circuit (minimizes gain/mid loss when turned down) deliver remarkable tonal versatility.

Other premium features include a three-ply parchment pickguard, ’64-’66 Telecaster bridge with threaded steel saddles, vintage-style “F” tuners, wing string tree, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.