2020 SC Relics T Style
A 2020 shell pink nitro cellulose finished Telecaster style guitar made by SC Relics in Northern Ireland. Scott Cameron is the guy behind the company and he specialises in nitro finishes and relic work. He put together this full build for sale as he does now and again and I couldn't resist.
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Shell pink is one of the rare finishes from Fender and originally was a Cadillac colour. Not too many players in the '60's chose to pay extra for it and this is why it's one of the most seldom seen custom colours on vintage guitars.
This was put up for sale recently and looking at it, I was impressed immediately by the spec: A set of Monty's '53 Telecaster pickups ( a set out of 4 made at present) and a 2 piece alder body with that superb finish with a subtle relic job involving finish checking and light wear, Gotoh hardware and CTS TVT pots. It is fretted with medium jumbo frets and the neck feels like a '60's Jaguar - a 'C' but not skinny. It runs from 21.5mm to 24mm at the 12th fret, so a medium C. Very comfortable though. I can get along with huge necks but not skinny.
It's really resonant and has a full fat but sparkling sound. Thicker sounding than my other Telecaster but it still has a Telecaster heart!
Note the vintage correct shelf on the treble side of the neck pocket. Before the introduction of the shaped neck pocket, Fender made a perfectly rectangular neck pocket and then fitted a tapered neck into it, so if you examine photographs of early Telecasters, you can see this feature. A 'hump' in the body routing near the pocket where the router has to take a second bite at it and the overhang. It's even reproduced by the Fender custom shop! This body features it too, so is a pre 1953 neck pocket design.
I thoroughly recommend SC Relics and you can see them on Facebook or their website.