Fender Telecaster 1969 Rosewood/Ash R&D Factory Prototype

Now available on consignment, a very unusual 1969 Fender Telecaster made in the Fender factory to emulate the design of the original Rosewood Telecaster!

This guitar was most likely from Fender's R&D department, probably as an experiment with different woods due to the issues Fender experienced making those first Rosewood Telecasters in 1968.

Unique to this guitar is that it has a factory ash body and NECK. From my research it appears there are no documented Fender guitars from the 1960s with an ash neck, making this a real anomaly.

As you can see both the body and neck have been finished to appear similar to Rosewood, which gives a strong indication as to why ash was used on the neck.

Work to the guitar includes:

• The fingerboard was replaced by Sydney luthier Frank Grubisa a few years ago, and graphite inserts were inserted into the truss rod cavity. This work was performed due to extreme warping of the ash neck, as this timber is not as stable as maple or rosewood.

• The neck pickup has been replaced with an unknown unit (sounds great!)

• The bridge saddles have been replaced, and there are 2 small holes under the bridge plate.

• At some point schaller tuners have been installed, the original 'F' tuners are back on.

Otherwise the guitar retains most of its original parts including its original grey bottom bridge pickup, bridge plate, 3ply black pickguard, knobs, switch tip, and pots dating to the 34th week of 1966.

The guitar plays very well with plenty of life in the frets, having a low and easy playing action.

A chance to own a unique piece of CBS Fender history! Includes an era correct case.