Fender 53 TELE Relic AN Blonde

Fender 53 TELE Relic AN Blonde review

The Fender 53 TELE Relic AN Blonde is a limited Custom Built Telecaster made in the USA. Its specification combines an ash body, a one-piece maple neck, and two single-coil pickups. The finish is listed as Relic, with the color described in the detailed specifications as Aged Nocaster Blonde. The general color field says Blonde, so the aged shade is the more specific description available.

This review is based only on the supplied product data. No customer feedback is available, and the specifications do not establish how the guitar sounds, feels, or performs in use. The listed price is 5666, with no currency specified. The item has been available since September 2023, while its limited run is identified as Winter 2022. Those dates describe separate product details, not a confirmed production schedule.

Body, neck, and playing geometry

The body is made from ash, with no separate top listed. Fender specifies a bolt-on, one-piece maple neck and a '54 U neck profile. That profile name identifies the stated neck shape, but the data provides no neck measurements, so its depth and shoulder dimensions cannot be assessed here.

The scale length is 648 mm, also given as 25.5 inches. The maple fingerboard has a compound radius that changes from 7.25 inches to 9.5 inches. Fender lists 21 narrow tall frets and a bone nut. Taken together, these are precise construction details, but they do not by themselves demonstrate fretwork quality, setup accuracy, or comfort. Those points require an inspection of the individual instrument.

The guitar has no tremolo system. Its T-style body and fixed specification keep the hardware description straightforward, with vintage-style tuners and nickel hardware. No additional bridge details are provided, so the specific bridge design and its adjustment features should not be inferred from the model category alone.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration is SS, meaning two single-coil pickups. Fender identifies the bridge pickup as a Custom Shop hand-wound OBG, short for Original Blackguard Tele, and the neck pickup as a Twisted Tele single coil. The provided information names the models and winding description, but gives no output readings, magnet type, or measured frequency response. There is therefore no basis here for claims about output level or tonal balance.

Controls consist of master volume and master tone, with a three-way switch. The specification does not describe the switch positions in detail or list any additional circuitry. Players comparing this instrument with other Telecaster-style guitars can confirm the basic control layout, but should consult Fender or a dealer for wiring details not included in the supplied data.

Finish, accessories, and limited status

The finish is described as Relic, and the pickguard is a single-layer black phenolic part. The data does not document the amount or placement of finish wear, so the appearance of a particular example cannot be predicted from the finish label. Product photos or an in-person inspection would be needed to judge those details.

A deluxe hardshell case, strap, and Certificate of Authenticity are included. A separate bag is not included. The run is marked Limited Run, Winter 2022, and the model is labeled Limited Custom Built. These are useful identifiers for a buyer checking the instrument's provenance, though the available details do not state the number made or provide a serial-number range.

What the specifications establish

• Construction: Ash body with a bolt-on, one-piece maple neck.
• Fingerboard: Maple, compound 7.25-inch to 9.5-inch radius, 21 narrow tall frets, and a bone nut.
• Electronics: Hand-wound OBG bridge and Twisted Tele neck single-coil pickups, master volume, master tone, and a three-way switch.
• Included items: Deluxe hardshell case, strap, and Certificate of Authenticity.

The documented specification gives a clear picture of the materials, neck geometry, pickup models, and included accessories. It does not verify setup, weight, condition, or individual sound, all of which matter when evaluating a high-priced instrument. Buyers should confirm those points directly with the seller and check that the case and listed documents accompany the guitar. With no customer reviews available, the fairest assessment is limited to the stated features rather than unverified performance claims.