Fender LTD CuNife Tele HR Aged Black
This limited-edition Fender Custom Shop Tele pairs a hand-wound bridge single coil with a CuNiFe neck humbucker for a distinctive two-pickup setup. Confirm the finish with the seller before buying, since the listing gives conflicting color details.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender LTD CuNife Tele HR Aged Black review
The Fender LTD CuNife Tele HR Aged Black is listed as a limited-edition Custom Shop Tele-style guitar made in the USA. Its specification sheet pairs a single-coil bridge pickup with a CuNiFe humbucker in the neck position, a maple neck and fingerboard, and a Bigsby-style vibrato. The supplied information gives a listed price of 5666, but does not identify a currency, so that figure cannot be compared directly with prices in a particular market.
There is an important inconsistency in the product data. The product name identifies an Aged Black finish, while the detailed specification lists the color as Aged Crimson Transparent. The general color field says Black, and the finish is described as Heavy Relic. These entries do not establish which finish is on the specific guitar for sale. Buyers should confirm the finish with the seller before ordering.
Pickup layout and controls
The HS arrangement combines a hand-wound Custom Shop '50, '51 Blackguard bridge single coil with a wide-range CuNiFe humbucker at the neck. This gives the instrument two distinct pickup formats, rather than a matched pair of single coils or humbuckers. The supplied details identify the pickup types and positions, but do not provide output measurements, magnet specifications beyond CuNiFe, or a description of the tonal balance. Those characteristics should not be treated as confirmed from the available data alone.
Fender specifies a Dual Stack HS Tele control and a three-way pickup selector. The listing does not explain the control's exact functions or switching combinations. The three-way selector indicates three pickup-selection positions, but the documentation here does not detail the wiring. Anyone needing a specific control layout for a performance setup should ask for a wiring diagram or confirm the configuration with Fender or the seller.
Body, neck, and playing dimensions
The body is ash, with no separate top listed. The one-piece maple neck bolts onto the body and uses a 1950 Esquire U profile. That profile name describes the specified neck shape, but no measurements for neck depth or width are provided. The maple fingerboard has a 241 mm (9.5-inch) radius, with 21 narrow-tall frets. These details establish the basic feel and fret count, though they do not indicate the condition or fretwork quality of an individual instrument.
The scale length is 648 mm (25.51 inches), a full-length scale suited to the Tele format. Fender lists vintage-style tuning machines and nickel hardware. No nut width, string gauge, factory setup, or tuning-machine ratio appears in the supplied specifications. Those omissions matter to players comparing neck fit or planning a setup, so they should be checked separately rather than inferred from the model description.
Bridge, finish, and included items
The bridge specification names an RSD Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridge, while the general feature list also describes a Bigsby-style vibrato. Together, these entries suggest a vibrato-equipped bridge arrangement, but the listing does not explain the exact mounting or component configuration. The single-ply black plastic pickguard is specified. With the bridge details and finish records inconsistent or incomplete, a clear photograph of the actual instrument would be useful before purchase.
The finish is identified as Heavy Relic, but no further information explains the degree or placement of the aged treatment. The guitar includes a case and certificate, and does not include a separate bag. The item is listed as available since August 2025, while its limited-run designation reads LTD 2024. These dates may refer to different product or release records; the available information does not resolve that distinction.
What the specifications establish
This model's documented appeal rests on its Custom Shop designation, ash body, one-piece bolt-on maple neck, CuNiFe neck humbucker, and Blackguard-style bridge single coil. Its 21 narrow-tall frets and 9.5-inch fingerboard radius are useful reference points for players assessing the neck and fret layout. The listed bridge and vibrato components also set it apart from a basic fixed-bridge Tele-style configuration, although the precise arrangement needs confirmation.
No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis here for claims about comfort, sound in practice, tuning stability, build quality, or value after use. This assessment is limited to the supplied product specifications. Before committing to the listed price, confirm the actual finish, bridge setup, control functions, release designation, and currency with the retailer. Those checks address the largest gaps in the listing and help ensure the instrument matches the buyer's expectations.
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-edition Custom Shop build, made in the USA
- Combines a hand-wound Blackguard bridge single-coil pickup with a wide-range CuNiFe neck humbucker
- Includes a case and certificate
What bugged me
- The listed finish is inconsistent: the product name says Aged Black, while the detailed specifications say Aged Crimson Transparent
- The premium price may be difficult to justify without trying the guitar in person
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for players seeking a USA-made limited edition, a vintage-style U neck, and contrasting single-coil and humbucker tones. Also worth considering for players who want a case-included instrument with a tremolo-equipped Tele layout.Look elsewhere if
Not a clear fit for buyers who need a confirmed finish before ordering, given the conflicting color details. Those seeking a lower-cost or conventional Tele setup may prefer another model.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Pickups
- HS
- Fretboard
- Maple
- Tremolo
- Bigsby-Style
- Body
- Ash
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Including case
- Yes
- Incl. bag
- No
- Limited run
- LTD 2024
- Model
- Tele
- Shape
- T-Style
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups are fitted?
It has a hand-wound Custom Shop Blackguard bridge single coil and a wide-range CuNiFe humbucker in the neck position.
What finish does this guitar have?
The listing is inconsistent: the product name says Aged Black, while the detailed specifications state Aged Crimson Transparent. Confirm the actual finish with the seller.
Does it include a case?
Yes. The specifications say a case and certificate are included; no gig bag is listed.
What is the neck profile and scale length?
It has a 1950 Esquire U neck profile and a 648 mm, or 25.51-inch, scale length.
Is this a standard production model?
No. It is described as a limited-edition Custom Shop model, listed as part of the LTD 2024 run.
The last word from the bench
The ash body, one-piece maple neck, 1950 Esquire U profile, and 21 narrow-tall frets define a vintage-oriented specification. Its single-coil and CuNiFe humbucker pairing offers more tonal range than a standard single-pickup Tele layout. A Jaguar/Jazzmaster-style bridge and Bigsby-style tremolo add a different hardware configuration. At this price, verify the exact finish and make sure the neck shape and hardware suit your playing before committing.
Hanging next to it
Fender LTD CuNife Tele HR Aged Black
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






