Fender LTD Blackguard Cunife Tele AVB
The Fender LTD Blackguard Cunife Tele AVB pairs a hand-wound Blackguard-style bridge pickup with a CuNiFe Wide Range neck humbucker in a limited Custom Shop build. Its Bigsby vibrato and Heavy Relic finish make it a distinctive, premium take on the Tele format.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender LTD Blackguard Cunife Tele AVB: Technical Review
The Fender LTD Blackguard Cunife Tele AVB is a limited-edition Custom Shop Tele-style electric guitar made in the USA. Its listed specifications combine a selected two-piece ash body, a quartersawn maple neck and fingerboard, two contrasting pickups, and a Bigsby B-5 vibrato. The finish is described as Heavy Relic in Aged Violin Burst. This review is based on the supplied product information, not a hands-on test. No customer reviews are available, so there is no independent user feedback to report.
Body, neck, and playing dimensions
The body uses two pieces of selected ash, with a spruce top also listed in the specifications. The instrument's amber category color is refined in the detailed finish description as Aged Violin Burst. A single-ply black pickguard and nickel hardware complete the stated visual and hardware details. The Heavy Relic finish indicates an aged appearance, but the supplied information does not describe the specific wear pattern or how the finish feels in use.
The neck and fingerboard are both maple. Fender specifies a quartersawn maple neck with a 1957-style Soft V profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 narrow-tall 6105 frets. The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches, and the nut is bone. These measurements give a useful outline of the neck's construction, but they do not establish the guitar's weight, setup, fret condition, or individual neck feel. Those details would require inspection of the actual instrument.
Pickup configuration and controls
The SH pickup arrangement pairs a hand-wound 1950/1951 Blackguard single-coil in the bridge position with a CuNiFe Widerange humbucker at the neck. The CuNiFe name refers to the copper, nickel, and iron magnet material specified for that pickup. This pairing places two distinct pickup designs in one instrument. The provided data does not include output readings, pickup resistance, or frequency response, so claims about relative loudness or exact tonal character would go beyond the available evidence.
Fender lists Dual Stack HS Tele wiring, along with volume and tone controls. The description does not provide a switching diagram or explain how the dual-stack arrangement affects the available settings. Buyers who need particular pickup combinations or control behavior should confirm the wiring details with Fender or the seller before purchase. The listed pickup layout and controls are clear, while the precise circuit operation is not documented here.
Bigsby hardware and included items
A Bigsby B-5 tremolo is fitted, and the general specification identifies the tremolo as Bigsby-style. The information confirms the unit's model but does not state the bridge design, string spacing, or setup details. As with any instrument equipped with a vibrato, those specifics matter when assessing compatibility with a preferred string gauge or deciding how the guitar should be adjusted. They cannot be determined from the supplied list alone.
The package includes a case, cable, and certificate. A separate field says no bag is included, which is consistent with the case being the stated protective option. The sales unit is one piece. These are useful package details, although the case type and cable length are not specified.
Price, availability, and buying considerations
The listed price is 5666, with no currency provided in the product data. The model is identified as a 2026 limited run and available from April 2026. Its item number is 643160. Since the date and run designation do not establish current inventory, availability should be checked with the retailer. The supplied information also does not state the production quantity.
On paper, the strongest defining choices are the combination of a Blackguard-style bridge single-coil and CuNiFe neck humbucker, the 1957-style Soft V maple neck, and the Bigsby B-5. The ash body, spruce top, Heavy Relic finish, and included case round out the specification. At the stated price, buyers should verify the currency, the exact wiring and bridge setup, and the condition of the individual instrument. There are no customer reviews available, and without a physical inspection this remains a specification-based assessment rather than a report on sound, comfort, or build quality.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Limited-run U.S.-made Custom Shop build with a two-piece selected ash body and quartersawn maple neck.
- Combines a hand-wound Blackguard-style bridge single-coil with a CuNiFe Wide Range neck humbucker.
- Includes a Bigsby B-5 vibrato, 21 narrow-tall frets, a bone nut, a case, a cable, and a certificate.
What bugged me
- The Heavy Relic finish and aged burst look are highly specific aesthetic choices.
- The dual-pickup configuration and Bigsby vibrato may not suit players seeking a traditional fixed-bridge Tele setup.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for players seeking a limited Custom Shop Tele with both single-coil and humbucker pickups. Also suited to buyers who want a Bigsby vibrato and an aged burst finish.Look elsewhere if
Not a good match for players who prefer a fixed bridge or a more conventional Tele pickup layout. The Heavy Relic styling may also put off buyers seeking a clean, understated finish.Suggested level: Professional
Specifications
- Color
- Amber
- Pickups
- SH
- Fretboard
- Maple
- Tremolo
- Bigsby-Style
- Body
- Ash
- Top
- Spruce
- Neck
- Maple
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Including case
- Yes
- Incl. bag
- No
- Limited run
- 2026
- Model
- Tele
- Shape
- T-Style
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups does this guitar have?
It has a hand-wound '50/'51 Blackguard-style single-coil in the bridge and a CuNiFe Wide Range humbucker in the neck position.
Does it have a vibrato system?
Yes. It is fitted with a Bigsby B-5 vibrato.
What is included with the guitar?
The listed package includes a case, cable, and certificate. No gig bag is included.
What are the neck and fingerboard specifications?
The neck and maple fingerboard are maple, with a 1957-style soft V neck profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 narrow-tall frets.
Is this a standard-production model?
No. It is described as a limited-edition Custom Shop model, with a limited run listed for 2026.
The last word from the bench
This limited-run Tele combines selected ash, a quartersawn maple neck, and a 1957-style soft V profile with a two-pickup setup that spans single-coil and humbucker designs. The Bigsby B-5 adds vibrato functionality, while the 9.5-inch fingerboard radius and narrow-tall frets define the playing specification. The aged finish is a deliberate visual choice, and the listed price places this model in a premium tier. It is best suited to players specifically drawn to this combination of features and styling.
Hanging next to it
Fender LTD Blackguard Cunife Tele AVB
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






