Fender USA Custom Shop '53 Reissue Ltd Telecaster Relic "Irish Pub Green + Maple" (2022)
Specifications
Model: '53 Reissue Ltd Telecaster Relic
Year: 2022
Finish: Irish Pub Green (Relic Nitrocellulose)
Body: Lightweight Sorted Ash
Neck: Quartersawn 1-Piece AA Flame Maple
Neck Profile: Large C (.875 - .960)
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
Frets: Jescar 47095
Pickups:
Neck: Josefina Handwound Original Blackguard
Bridge: Josefina Handwound '50-'51 Blackguard
Electronics: Vintage Tele Wiring (Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Selector)
Bridge: Vintage-Style Telecaster Bridge with Brass Saddles
Tuners: Vintage-Style Fender
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut: Bone
Hardware: Nickel
Personal Thoughts
This '53 Reissue Ltd Telecaster in Irish Pub Green is a proper showstopper—one of those rare Custom Shop finishes that instantly makes a guitar stand out. The lightweight ash body gives it that signature Tele resonance while keeping it comfortable for long playing sessions.
The quartersawn AA flame maple neck is an absolute stunner and feels incredibly solid in the hands. The Large C profile has some substance without being a baseball bat—just the right amount of chunk for that classic early '50s Tele feel. The 9.5" radius and Jescar frets make it play like a dream, handling both cowboy chords and lead work effortlessly.
Tone-wise, it’s all vintage Tele magic. The Josefina handwound pickups are some of the best Fender winds out there, with the Original Blackguard in the neck offering that warm, articulate clarity, and the '50-'51 Blackguard bridge pickup delivering twang, bite, and just the right amount of grit when you dig in.
Condition Report
This guitar is in mint condition, with the factory relic treatment giving it that well-loved vintage aesthetic. The frets, hardware, and electronics are all flawless, and the setup is spot on.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the coolest Custom Shop Teles around, and the Irish Pub Green finish makes it an absolute head-turner. If you're into early Blackguard Teles but want something with modern playability and a unique finish, this one's got everything you’d want. It’s got that raw, vintage Tele tone, but with the kind of smooth playability that only a Custom Shop build can offer. Proper special piece!