New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces the Limited Twisted Tele Custom Journeyman Relic, a real mind bender with special pickups, Bigsby® vibrato tailpiece, reverse control plate and more. Its striking Journeyman Relic lacquer finish in Two-Color Sunburst, Aged HLE Gold and Aged Ocean Turquoise 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 two-piece select ash body has an off-center seam with parchment binding, paired with a one-piece rift-sawn maple neck with a ’57-style Soft “V” profile. Its reverse control plate puts the volume control within easy pinky reach for volume swells. Dual Custom Shop hand-wound Twisted Tele pickups are each tailored to their position to achieve individual sonic character, delivering hot high-output Telecaster guitar tone with a dash of sparkling Stratocaster® character. The neck pickup's taller bobbin accommodates more windings, combined with a slightly shorter bridge pickup bobbin for dark full-bodied midrange. Fat ’50s wiring delivers stronger overall tone with more transparent bloom, with volume and tone controls that react more smoothly and evenly, with less of the typical treble loss that occurs when rolling back on volume. The Bigsby B5 vibrato tailpiece adds unparalleled pedal steel-like shimmer to the sound (and also looks so cool).

Other premium features include a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard with 21 narrow tall (6105) frets and a bone nut, three-way pickup switch, single-ply parchment pickguard, vintage-style tuners, wing string tree, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.