3 TELECASTER CUSTOM

While the original dual-single-coil/sunburst Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1972, that same year a radically overhauled design appeared. Advertised as the Telecaster Custom (though often referred to as the “Custom Telecaster”), the new model sported the unique configuration of a regular Tele-style single-coil bridge pickup along with a Wide Range humbucker in the neck position. Featuring Les Paul-style controls, including independent pickup volume and tone pots and a three-way switch on the upper bass bout, the newly designed ‘version two’Telecaster Custom offered players a unique combination of sounds that covered both Gibson and Fender territory.

From 1973, with the introduction of the dual-’bucker Telecaster Deluxe, three out of four of Fender’s Tele designs carried the new Wide Range pickup; only the standard Tele retained its existing dual single coils. This latter version of the Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1981 (along with the Telecaster Deluxe).