The Telecaster Thinline debuted in 1968, and now the Fender Custom Shop introduces the lavishly appointed ’68 Tele Custom Journeyman Relic. From the body woods to the finishes and from the pickups to the hardware, it’s a beautiful and exciting evocation of the guitar’s very first model year.

The Aged Natural Mahogany model features a select Fiji mahogany chambered body; the Aged Vintage Blonde and Three-Color Sunburst models feature a chambered ash body. Either way, players will delight in a comfortably lighter weight, classic single f-hole and warm, open sound. All three wear a lacquer Journeyman Relic treatment that imparts a “used but not abused” vibe, as if it has been well cared for while changing hands or being handed down over many years of play at home and at the occasional jam session or gig. We’re talking long life but only moderate playing wear—a very lucky find with a touch of spidery finish checking, a few “friendly” down-to-the-wood nicks and dings and some slight hardware aging.

The Custom Shop hand-wound Texas Special™ Telecaster 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. A three-way pickup switch and modern Telecaster wiring help send the signal right through the ceiling.

The quartersawn maple neck has a ’60-style Oval “C” profile that starts out thinner at the nut and gradually thickens toward the 12th fret for comfortably full feel, capped by a round-lam maple fingerboard with a 9.5” radius, 21 narrow tall (6105) frets, bone nut and period-correct polyurethane finish. Other premium features include a single-ply white Pearloid pickguard, ’67 Telecaster bridge with slotted steel saddles, Schaller® “F” tuners, wing string tree with nylon spacer, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.