This listing is for a Fender Custom Shop Jim Campilongo 59 Top-Loader Signature Model. There were only 50 of these beautiful instruments made and they are quite coveted Tele's, that don't come up for sale very often. After spending years studying with Jim as a student, I personally know how particular of a guitarist Jim is, down to fret size, neck shape and pickups. A lot of attention was put into these Custom Shop Fenders to make them not only look like a new 59 (top-loading bridge) Telecaster, but they truly feel and sound very much like Jim's original Vintage 59 Tele. The Top-Loading Bridge feature gives these guitars a more slinky feel to the strings, for ease of bending and getting that plunky chicken-pick'n tone. Plunky, twangy and lively is the name of the game. The tone is all Tele while never sounding harsh in the slightest. There are a few small dings and finish chips on the body, due to the very thin nitro finish. Also some slight yellowing on the back as well. In our honest opinion this only adds to the charm and character of the guitar. Jim purposely wanted these guitars to wear out naturally like a true vintage Telecaster. The original Hard Shell Case, paperwork, COA and case-candy come with this gorgeous one-owner/rare Fender Custom Shop guitar.
Here is what Jim Campilongo had to say about this model on his website:
"My Custom shop Signature Top-Loader Telecaster was introduced by Fender at the winter NAMM show in January, 2010. There was a limited run of 50 - one pops up on Reverb or eBay every now and then and they've held their value..
The Campilongo Signature Tele featured pickups custom wound to my specs (see "pick ups"). They sound fantastic. My goal was to have a woody, full bodied sound while retaining the character of a great Telecaster.
Jumbo frets, a tall "top hat" toggle for easy switching, and a "T" string tree for easy behind the nut bending are all part of the personality of this guitar - not to mention the easy playability and warm sounds the top-loader bridge brings to the Telecaster table.
Additionally, the bridge plate is flat, without the "lips" originally there for holding the "ash tray" metal cover on older Teles. Personally, I find those lips problematic and a hindrance when trying to pick the low "E" string. I compensate for this on my '59 with a high string altitude at the pickup plate. However, the trade off is high action from the 12th fret up. This "lip-less" plate should make my plectrum life easier.
The Campy model is a standard "white-ish blond" nitrocellulose finish, the exact color of my original guitar, with a white pick guard. Custom color Orange was only available on two guitars. I have one, and a lucky winner of a drawing hosted by Fender Custom Shop won a free orange model All finishes were applied conservatively since I feel most of the great guitars I've played featured "very light" to nonexistent finishes. I believe this allows the true resonant charachter of the wood to shine through. The neck was lightly finished for a "fast" playability.
Pick Ups
As far as pickups go, I'm really happy with what I came up with for my Campy model. I went through dozens of pick ups and tried to combine the best features of what I liked and requested modifications for what I needed. I think the Campy pick ups are powerful, full-bodied and warm, but retain a classic vintage voice. They came standard and exclusively on the Campilongo Signature Tele and were not offered separately."
Specs:
Serial Number: R56489
Brand: Fender Custom Shop
Model: Jim Campilongo 59 Top Loader Telecaster
Finish Color: Vintage White Blonde Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Weight: 7lbs 4.3oz
Limited Series: Limited to 50 Pieces Worldwide
Body: Ash
Neck: Quarter-Sawn Maple
Neck Shape: .80" 1st Fret - .97" 12th Fret
Fingerboard: Maple
Fingerboard
Radius: 7.25"
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut: Width 1.650" Material: Bone
Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Pickups: 2 Custom Shop Wound Single-Coil Tele Pickups
Output: 6.93 Ohms Bridge and 7.57 Ohms Neck
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Exclusive Custom Shop Foil Capacitor,
3-Position Blade Switch
Hardware : Vintage Nickel
Bridge: Top Loader
Tuners: Fender/Gotoh Vintage Style Machine Heads
Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
Case: Hardshell Case W/ Case Candy and COA
(This item is on consignment and cannot be returned, please ask all and any questions)
