Fender 57 Tele Relic ACT

Fender 57 Tele Relic ACT: specification review

The Fender 57 Tele Relic ACT is identified as a Custom Shop instrument based on the 1957 Telecaster. Its listed specifications describe a T-style guitar with an ash body, a one-piece maple neck, two single-coil pickups, and vintage-style hardware. The detailed finish name is Aged Candy Tangerine, while the general color field says red. That distinction is worth noting: the specific finish description is more precise, but the supplied data does not explain the listing's broader color label.

The product is listed at 4,444, with no currency specified in the supplied information. It has been available since April 2024, and its item number is 574714. The listing also labels the limited run "NAMM 2020." These dates and labels are recorded here as provided; the available information does not explain how the 2020 designation relates to the April 2024 availability date.

Body, neck, and playing dimensions

The body is made from ash and described as lightweight, although no weight figure is provided. Ash is a hardwood commonly used for electric-guitar bodies, but the material name alone cannot establish the instrument's actual weight, balance, or acoustic character. There is no separate top layer listed.

The one-piece neck and fingerboard are both maple. Fender specifies a '57 Soft V neck profile, which points to a V-shaped rear contour rather than a modern rounded profile. The neck dimensions include a 42 mm nut width and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius. Those figures help identify the layout, but they do not provide a complete account of the feel in hand. No neck thickness measurements are included.

The 648 mm scale length is the familiar 25.5-inch format used on many Telecaster-style guitars. The fretboard has 21 Dunlop 6105 narrow-jumbo frets. The listing spells out the fret type, but gives no fret-wire height or width measurements. As a result, the exact playing feel and setup cannot be determined from the specification sheet alone.

Pickups and bridge hardware

The pickup configuration is listed as SS, meaning two single-coil pickups, one in the bridge position and one in the neck position. The detailed description identifies them as hand-wound Custom Shop '50-'51 Blackguard single coils. That names their design and origin, but the supplied data does not include output readings, magnet type, wiring options, or switching details. No specific tonal result should be assumed from the pickup name alone.

A three-saddle, vintage-style Telecaster bridge carries threaded steel saddles. The listing also specifies vintage-style machine heads and chrome hardware. It names no tremolo system, which is consistent with the fixed bridge described. The three-saddle arrangement is a defining part of this style of bridge, though the product information does not state whether the saddles have been adjusted or compensated for intonation.

The pickguard is eggshell white, providing a contrasting detail against the named Aged Candy Tangerine finish. The finish is described as aged, but no specific wear pattern, treatment process, or relic level is given. The model name includes "Relic," yet the supplied specifications do not detail the appearance of any simulated wear.

What the package includes

A Custom Shop case is included, along with a strap and a certificate of authenticity. The general listing marks the instrument as including a case and no bag, which aligns with the more specific package description. The sales unit is one piece.

For buyers comparing instruments, the strongest verifiable points here are the maple neck and fingerboard, 9.5-inch radius, 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, hand-wound single-coil set, and three-saddle steel bridge. The listed finish and aged designation may also matter to buyers choosing by appearance, but there are no photographs or finish details in the supplied specifications to assess that treatment.

Assessment based on the available information

The specification sheet presents a Custom Shop Telecaster built around a specific late-1950s reference, with traditional materials and hardware alongside a clearly stated neck profile and fret type. Its key measurements make it easier to compare with other guitars, while several practical details remain undocumented, including weight, pickup output, switching, setup, and the precise relic treatment.

No customer reviews are available for this product. This assessment is therefore limited to the supplied product data, not owner reports or a hands-on evaluation. Before purchase, confirm the currency and current price, and ask the seller to clarify the finish description, the NAMM 2020 limited-run label, and any specifications that affect fit or setup.