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View Full Version : Custom Shop '51 Noblaster



riverrick
October 26th, 2010, 08:17 PM
Got an email from ProGuitarShop.com with an ad for a '51 Fender Custom Shop noblaster Tele. In candy tangerine. Man what a beautiful guitar. But can't find it anywhere else. Has anyone out there ever seen or heard about this guitar???

Katastrophe
October 26th, 2010, 08:49 PM
Haven't heard anything about this particular model. Are you sure that the guitar wasn't labeled "Nocaster?"

Back when Leo Fender created what would become the Telecaster (and the world heard angels singing shortly thereafter), the model was called the "Broadcaster." There was conflict with the model name with Gretsch, who used the name "Broadkaster" (I think it was for their drum line, but not sure). Leo issued the guitar for a little while without a model name, and they became known as "Nocasters," because of the lack of model name. They are highly prized by vintage Tele collectors. Kind of ironic that FMIC owns Gretsch these days.

While I'm not a fan of the relicing that the Custom Shop does (saw them taking a Dremel tool to a Clapton "Blackie" Strat neck to age it - WHY?), their stuff is absolutely hand crafted and not a part of the regular Fender production line. Custom Shop guitars also command extremely high prices.

Does this help?