Fender 50s Tele Custom C3CS Relic

Fender 50s Tele Custom C3CS Relic review

The Fender 50s Tele Custom C3CS Relic is a 2022 limited edition from Fender's Custom Shop, based on the 1950 Telecaster model. Its specification combines a light ash body, a one-piece maple neck, two handwound pickups, and a bound body. The listed price is 5899, with no currency specified in the supplied information. The guitar has been available since July 2022, and its item number is 532043.

This is a specification-based assessment. No customer reviews or playing impressions are available, so claims about tone, comfort, setup, or finish quality cannot be verified here. The published details do, however, identify the main construction choices and hardware clearly enough to explain what this model offers on paper.

Body, finish, and neck construction

The body is made from light ash and has a T-style shape with binding along its top edge. The finish is described in the detailed specifications as Chocolate three-color Sunburst. A shorter listing calls the color Sunburst, so the more specific description appears to identify the intended finish. No separate top wood is listed.

The neck and fingerboard are both maple, with AA flame veneer specified for each. The neck is a one-piece construction and uses a '57 soft V profile. That profile description indicates a V-shaped carve, but it does not provide measurements for neck depth or width. Players comparing neck shapes should avoid assuming that the label alone predicts how it will feel in hand.

The fingerboard has a compensated radius that transitions from 7.25 inches to 9.5 inches. It is fitted with 21 frets, identified as 6105. These details distinguish the instrument from a design with a single fixed-radius fingerboard or a higher fret count. The specification does not state the nut width, fret material, or factory setup, so those points remain unknown.

Pickups and controls

The guitar has an SS pickup configuration, meaning two single-coil pickups. More specifically, the pair consists of Custom Shop handwound Twisted Tele pickups. A three-way switch selects between pickup combinations, while Fat '50s wiring describes the stated wiring scheme. The available data does not list control values, capacitor specifications, or individual pickup output measurements.

Those details establish the intended layout, but they cannot confirm how the guitar sounds in practice. Pickup response depends on factors such as amplifier settings, playing technique, and setup, and there are no recorded listening tests or owner reports to draw on. Buyers should treat the pickup names and wiring description as component information rather than a guarantee of a particular sound.

Bridge, tuners, and included items

The bridge is a Reverse Angle Nocaster design with RSD tabs. The specifications list vintage-style machine heads and no tremolo system. Together, these details describe a fixed-bridge setup with traditional-style tuning hardware. No information is provided about the bridge's adjustment range, tuner ratio, or hardware finish.

A black Tolex case and certificate of authenticity are included. The general listing also confirms that a case is included and that no separate gig bag is supplied. The instrument was made in the United States. Its sales unit is one piece, and the limited run is identified as a 2022 edition.

Key specifications

• Model: 1950 Telecaster, T-style body
• Body: Light ash with top binding
• Neck and fingerboard: One-piece maple neck and maple fingerboard with AA flame veneer
• Neck profile: '57 soft V
• Fingerboard radius: Compensated 7.25-inch to 9.5-inch radius
• Frets: 21, type 6105
• Pickups: Two Custom Shop handwound Twisted Tele single-coil pickups
• Controls: Fat '50s wiring and a three-way switch
• Bridge: Reverse Angle Nocaster with RSD tabs
• Finish: Chocolate three-color Sunburst
• Included: Black Tolex case and certificate of authenticity

Technical assessment

The Fender 50s Tele Custom C3CS Relic is defined by its specific neck carve, graduated fingerboard radius, bound light ash body, and Custom Shop pickup set. Its published specifications give prospective buyers useful details for comparing construction and hardware, while leaving several practical questions unanswered, including weight, setup measurements, and measured electrical values. With no customer feedback available, the most reliable assessment is that this is a U.S.-made, 2022 limited-edition Custom Shop guitar with a clearly documented traditional-style layout. An in-person inspection or additional verified product documentation would be needed to judge its individual finish, setup, and playing feel.