Fender LTD 52 Tele Aged Black SHRelic

Technical review: Fender LTD 52 Tele Aged Black SHRelic

The Fender LTD 52 Tele Aged Black SHRelic is a limited-edition Custom Shop electric guitar based on the 1952 Telecaster. Its listed specifications point to a traditional T-style design, with an ash body, a maple neck and fingerboard, two single-coil pickups, and a vintage-style bridge. The model is listed as a 2026 limited run, with availability beginning in May 2026. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is based only on the supplied product details.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is made from selected ash and finished in aged black. A single-ply black pickguard is specified, giving the listed appearance a consistent dark palette. The finish description identifies the color and aged treatment, but does not provide details about the relic work, its extent, or the finish material. Those points cannot be assessed from the specifications alone.

The neck is maple and quartersawn, with a '57 Soft V profile. That profile designation describes the neck's cross-sectional shape, while the quartersawn construction identifies the orientation of the wood grain. The supplied data does not state neck thickness measurements, so players comparing it with another Soft V neck should not assume the dimensions are identical.

The maple fingerboard has a 241 mm (9.5-inch) radius and 21 narrow tall frets, identified by the 6105 size designation. The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches. These measurements offer a useful basis for comparing the guitar with other instruments, though they do not establish how the neck will feel to a particular player. The product information does not specify nut width, string spacing, or fret material.

Pickups and controls

Fender lists two hand-wound Custom Shop '50, '51 Blackguard single-coil pickups in an SS configuration. The wiring is identified as '51 Nocaster wiring. This establishes the pickup type and wiring specification, but the supplied information does not include a control diagram, switching description, or pickup output measurements. It would be unwise to infer exact control behavior or tonal results without those details.

The guitar's two single-coil layout aligns with its early Telecaster reference. However, pickup names and winding descriptions alone cannot predict how the instrument will sound through a given amplifier or recording setup. No listening notes, measurements, or player reports have been provided for this product.

Bridge and hardware

The bridge is described as a vintage bridge with brass saddles, and the tremolo specification is listed as none. The hardware is nickel, and the tuning machines are identified as Kluson. Together, these details define the main hardware choices without specifying additional adjustment features, bridge dimensions, or tuner ratios.

For buyers comparing instruments, the combination of a fixed bridge and traditional six-string electric-guitar scale is straightforward to identify from the listing. The available data does not state the factory string gauge, setup measurements, or whether a setup is included at purchase. Those details are worth confirming with the retailer before ordering, particularly if a specific action or string gauge matters.

Included items, price, and availability

The listing says that a case and certificate are included. A bag is not included. The product is identified by item number 644675, sold as one piece, and priced at 5,899 in the provided data. No currency is specified, so the amount should be checked against the seller's listing. The instrument is made in the USA and is designated as a limited-edition Custom Shop model for 2026.

Who the specifications may suit

On paper, this model is aimed at players seeking a Telecaster built around an early-1950s specification, with a Soft V maple neck, ash body, hand-wound single-coil pickups, and period-referenced wiring. Its 21 frets and 648 mm scale are clearly stated, making the basic layout easy to compare with other guitars. The black finish and matching pickguard set it apart visually from more conventional blonde or butterscotch examples, though the listing does not document the finish process in detail.

The strongest buying case is the specific combination of Custom Shop construction and vintage-oriented components. The main limitation in evaluating it remotely is the lack of practical evidence: there are no customer reviews, sound samples, detailed measurements, or playability reports in the supplied information. Buyers should confirm the price currency, finish details, control operation, and setup with the seller. Based strictly on the listed specifications, the Fender LTD 52 Tele Aged Black SHRelic is a U.S.-made, limited-run Telecaster with clearly documented core materials and hardware, but its real-world feel and sound remain unverified here.