Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Telecaster Thinline®NOS - Ron Thorn

Produced by Ron Thorn, Principle Masterbuilder at Corona, this combines amazing looks with a compelling specification. Don't mistake this for a Parallel Universe Magico - they're great, but this is something a lot more special.  

Complete with CoA and SFT, and with the serial number RT0190, the translucent Daphne Blue Thinline has the following specification:  

A 2-piece ash body with AA Flame 9.5" radius maple neck, nitro lacquered with bone 1.625" nut, Dunlop 6105 frets and Oval C 60's style profile. 1st and 12th dimensions are 0.810" and 0.975". So far, a familiar set of numbers but now it starts to depart from tradition. The translucent Daphne Blue high gloss finish shows just enough of the grain and the edges are bound with White Pearl. The tuners are American Standard with White Pearl buttons. The bridge is a "chopped Tele bridge" with Ron Thorn's Brass knuckle saddle. A Master Volume and Tone control accompanies a 5-way selector switch. 3 Lollar Goldfoil soapbar pick-ups, each with a White Pearl surround, complete the specification.

A few boutique and higher end pick-up winders are re-issuing a selection of Goldfoil units - Lollar have elected to remain faithful to the original mid-50's rubberized magnet construction and worked their magic on eliminating the microphonic characteristics and inherent low output nature of the originals.

Lining up this Thinline together with traditional Teles and less traditional spec Teles, these Goldfoils lend a very distinct character to the traditional Strat configuration. Lo-fi and Hi-fi at the same time - not as piercing as Filtertrons, but a very enticing clarity. The middle on its own is a treat.

Originally purchased by a prodigious collector, Tte guitar comes with a blue case and all of the candy.

Despite the lack of miles on the clock, this guitar has taken a frustrating knock - undoubtedly an errant cable jack. Just into the ample lacquer, not in any way visible unless you know it’s there. But it is there. Obviously having absolutely no effect on the performance of the guitar, and the way it makes you feel when you play it, but it is the sole flaw with this beautiful guitar.