To tell the truth, I was looking for a Tele two years ago. I tried everyone I could get my hands on and the only one that was even close was a 2000 dollar 52 reissue and it had a 7.5 radius. I thought the Custom was just the best one I had tried up until now. The maple board just MAKES it a tele. I never really tried the blonde one, because I was holding out for a Butterscotch. The difference from the White Bonde one is that this one has the Alnico 5s instead of the A3s. A little more punch.