Description
Description
Designed as a love letter to Fender's transitional era of 1954–1956, the Fender Custom Shop '56 Esquire "Chicago Special" models—an instrument that nods to each year’s unique contributions. Starting in 1954, we included the 1/4" smooth saddles, single-ply white pickguard, and top hat switch tip that made their debut that year. From 1955, we borrowed the hotter, staggered pole piece bridge pickup for better string-to-string volume balance. And to capture the feel of its namesake year, 1956, we chose an exceptionally comfortable off-center “V” neck profile, flat-top knobs, and a butterfly string tree with a period-correct decal placement.
To make this Esquire truly stage-ready, a thoughtfully selected wiring scheme popularized by Fender Custom Shop’s Mike Eldred was chosen instead of the traditional “neck” position. Instead, it's been swapped out for a fixed-value capacitor which produces a subtle cocked-wah effect—perfect for pushing a solo forward or taming even the brightest amp tones.
Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster Stagger
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Position Blade
- Position 1. Bridge Pickup w/No Tone Control
- Position 2. Bridge Pickup w/Tone Control
- Position 3. Bridge Pickup w/"Fixed Wah" Capacitor
Specs
Specs
General
| Series: | Fender Custom Shop |
| Country of Manufacture: | Made in the USA |
| Serial Number: | R142168 |
| Product Color: | Aged Black |
| Relic/Aging Level: | NOS (New Old Stock) |
| Case Type: | Hardshell Case Included |
| Factory Setup: | E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E) |
Body
| Body Shape: | Esquire |
| Body Material: | 2-Piece Ash (Sort for Light Weight) |
| Body Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Neck
| Neck Material: | 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple |
| Neck Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Tint/Color: | Medium Tint |
| Neck Shape: | 11/56 Off Center "V" (.880-.980) |
| Fingerboard Material: | 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple |
| Nut Material: | Bone |
| Nut Width: | 1.65" |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 7.25" |
| Scale Length: | 25.5" |
| Number of Frets: | 21 Frets |
| Neck Joint: | 4 Bolt |
| Fingerboard Inlay: | Micarta Black .250 |
| Inlay Shape: | Dots |
| Side Marker Inlay: | Micarta Black 3/32" |
| Headstock Inlay/Decal: | '50-62 Esquire |
Electronics
| Bridge Pickup: | Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster Stagger |
| Controls and Switching: | Master Volume, Master Tone; 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup w/No Tone Control, Position 2. Bridge Pickup w/Tone Control, Position 3. Bridge Pickup w/"Fixed Wah" Capacitor |
Hardware
| Hardware Color: | Nickel/Chrome |
| Bridge: | Telecaster '55-57 |
| Tuning Machines: | Vintage w/Fender Logo |
| String Tree: | American Vintage '56-58 |
| Fret Wire: | Medium Vintage / 47095 |
| Saddle: | Metal |
| Pickguard: | 1-Ply Parchment |
| Knobs: | Knurled Aluminum |
| Switch Cap: | Black Top Hat |