1963 Fender Telecaster Custom Sunburst

OK, purists, I know...it's a Custom Tele and not a Tele Custom. These were never big sellers but they are my favorite Telecasters. Not only that but 63 is a great year for all things Fender. The necks got a little fatter and the quality was still top notch (the workload hadn't gone nuts yet...by 65, they were working multiple shifts to fill the huge number of orders). It has had the wiring upgraded to the modern circuit so the neck pickup is actually usable. Easy to reverse if you like mud with your tone. This guitar has had a body only refinish. It is done beautifully-perhaps better than factory). If the previous owner hadn't told me, I'm not sure I would have known by simply looking at it. The neck finish is original. It has probably been re-fretted but, again, the work is superb. There is a chip out of the guard by the bridge. There appears to be a splice in the neck pickup lead. It could have been rewound or replaced. I can't see any sign that it has been rewound. The ash tray is a repro. Everything else is original. It's a great player and a good looker. If you always wanted one of these and the price has kept going up past your budget, then consider this one. The refinish won't change anything but the collector value. Buy it and play it.