The Fender Custom Shop is known for crafting some of the finest and most authentic instruments in the world, honoring the legacy of legendary artists and models. The Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Masterbuilt Waylon Jennings Telecaster Relic is a faithful reproduction of the iconic leather-clad 1954 Telecaster that belonged to the Outlaw Country pioneer.
Waylon Jennings was a musical trailblazer who influenced generations of artists with his distinctive style and sound. He played bass with Buddy Holly in the late-‘50s, formed The Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson in the ‘80s, and wrote and performed countless hits until his passing in 2002. Throughout his career, he was rarely seen without his beloved 1954 Telecaster, which he customized with a hand-tooled leather cover that featured his initials and a flying W logo.
Custom Shop Masterbuilder David Brown worked closely with the Jennings family to recreate Waylon’s Telecaster in every detail, capturing all the wear and tear from decades of use.The 2-piece select ash body is finished in period-correct Butterscotch Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer before being wrapped in the distinctive leather cover. The leather cover is hand-tooled with Waylon’s initials and a flying W logo, as well as floral patterns and western motifs.
The one-piece quartersawn maple neck has a 10/56 “V” back-shape and a 7.25” radius fingerboard with 21 vintage tall frets. The neck is also finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and relic’d to match the body with some tasty fret ghosting up the board. The Schaller M6 tuning machines with a low E banjo tuner ensure stable tuning and accurate intonation. The bone nut and single disc string tree enhance resonance and tuning stability.
The Custom Shop Hand-Wound ‘50/’51 Blackguard pickups deliver unmistakable early-‘50s Telecaster tones with clear, crisp highs and well-balanced midrange and low end. The modern Telecaster wiring with a 3-way switch allows for versatile tonal options. The ‘51-’54 Tele bridge with brass barrel saddles provides classic twang and sustain.
The Limited Edition Masterbuilt Waylon Jennings Telecaster Relic Electric Guitar is a rare opportunity to own a piece of music history, as well as a superb instrument that delivers exceptional playability and sound. This guitar is not only a tribute to Waylon Jennings, but also to the craftsmanship and innovation of the Fender Custom Shop.
- Leather-clad 1954 Telecaster replica
- Masterbuilt by David Brown
- 2-piece select ash body
- One-piece quartersawn maple neck
- Custom Shop Hand-Wound ‘50-’51 Blackguard pickups
- Modern Telecaster wiring with 3-way switch
- ‘51-’54 Tele bridge with brass barrel saddles
- Schaller M6 tuners with low E banjo tuner