Description

1959 – 1960 Fender Telecaster Slab Board Daphne Blue

This is a transitional Fender Telecaster built right between late 1959 and early 1960, with the massive slab board of dark Brazilian rosewood that Fender used only for that brief window of ’59 – ’62.

It’s offered as a player grade instrument, the body and neck were professionally refinished long ago in Daphne Blue with a new decal applied, and it’s in excellent condition with what appears to be its original and period correct brown tolex case with gold interior, all latches working and springs still strong.

Aside from the finish, decal, new 1-ply repro White pickguard, and a refret (medium jumbo) the guitar is highly original, including the tuners, bridge, strap buttons, string tree, nut, control plate, knobs, and the neck plate itself, which carries its serial in the lower placement typical of this transition, 52XXX. The original pots date to late ’59, and pencil dates on the neck heel, 12-59, and under the bridge pickup, 1-60, line up cleanly with everything else here. There are no re-routes and no modifications in the wood anywhere, body and neck are structurally untouched.

The original pots, switch, and bridge pickup are all in place, the neck pickup had failed at some point and was replaced with a Tom Brantley pickup built to exact original spec under the original pickup cover, so it stays true visually and tonally.

Worth mentioning, there’s a signature on the top that appears to be that of blues great Robert Cray, and was added when owned by a previous owner, a professional blues guitarist, although there’s no documentation or provenance behind it, so it’s offered purely as an unverified piece of the guitar’s personal history rather than anything adding value. We chose not to attempt removal since the ink sits fairly deep and taking it off risked damaging the original refinish, though it may soften or fade naturally over time with normal play. Either way, it gives the guitar some character.

The neck has beautiful flame visible through the finish, and the ash body raises the strong possibility this guitar started out blonde before the Daphne Blue refinish. It weighs 7.4 pounds, which is average for the era. The newer frets feel great and they have almost no play wear at all. The guitar plays effortlessly great all the way throughout the neck.

This is an incredible player grade example of an incredible Pre-CBS Telecaster with Slab board fretboard at a competitive price.

It ships out professionally packed and insured to Continental US and select International destinations.