Do not adjust your sets, its a 1970 fender Rosewood Telecaster and an original one to boot..!

Prior to having one in about 6 months ago the last time we saw one of these was over 5 years ago, and we do not think you will find very many for sale in the UK (or Europe) right now.

More popular than you know who, the Rickenbacker/Gretsch toting boys from Liverpool had eluded the advances of Fender and Don Randall who was clearly keen to sign up the fab four to the big F. Following failed attempts, Don setup a meeting with them at Apple HQ during the summer of 1968 and sealled a deal to supply them with a raft of Fender equipment, including a certain all Rosewood Telecaster for George. 

Two prototypes were designed and built by Roger Rossmeisl (who’s fertile mind also gave us the Thinline Telecaster) and Philip Kubicki, the best one being shipped to Harrison. The original run of production guitars were constructed from a sandwich of solid rosewood and maple and was used by George for the Get Back sessions as well as the Let it Be film and famous rooftop performance. An iconic instrument was born

This guitar is in good shape. The clear poly finish has cracked and aged beautifully, and showcases superbly the grain of the rosewood underneath. Although it shows some signs of knocks around the edges, this doesn’t detract from the overall look. 

The one piece neck is in good shape but has been fettled with, as it appears that some point someone has had the fingerboard re-radiused with a compound radius. This retains the original 7.5” radius at the nut end of the neck and slowly transitions to something closer to a 12.5” radius up the dusty end. This has been done really well and if anything elevates the playability of the guitar. It has also had a really nice re-fret with larger fret wire. The dot markers appear to have been replaced with abalone ones and do look quite nice.

The plastics and hardware are in good shape, some signs of wear but nothing too extensive. Electrically everything seems to be correct too. Other tuners have been fitted at some stage and you can see feint evidence of that on the headstock.

The guitar comes with its correct black Tolex hardshell case. 

Sonically we are definitely in tele-country. Rosewood seems to have quite a maple quality to it and the neck feels very solid. This yields a bright acoustic tone. Plugged in, the fun really starts. The bridge pickup twangs without being too harsh, undoubtedly helped by the lower value pots. The neck pickup has that warmth that helps balance the instrument. The middle position is just the icing on the cake. The weight relieving helps make the guitar more manageable.

This is a must for any Harrison fans or anyone looking for their favourite instrument in a different flavour. Don’t let it slip away.