A truly exceptional example from the blackguard's final year, this 1954 Fender Telecaster is beautifully preserved and makes for a stunning investment grade example that plays and sounds as good as it looks!

A slightly paler see-thru blonde finish is often seen during '53/'54 compared to the darker/wheaty shades of earlier models. The nicely figured Ash body, classic one-piece maple neck with black dot markers and black Bakelite pickguard, captures the iconic Blackguard aesthetic perfectly. The finish is entirely original, with no evidence of touch-up or overspray, and presents exactly as it should, with three nail holes clean and paint-free, consistent light checking throughout, minor areas of wear and correct fluorescence under blacklight (including the pickguard.) As is correct of the period, it also has a tiny bit more opaqueness to the perimeter finish and around the sides, giving it that soft “halo” effect. The body dowels are present and correct, and the finish “butterflying” between the neck plate and body is nicely aligned.

Under the hood, it’s equally impressive. The neck is pencil dated 4/54 and bears the unmistakable “TG” marking for Tadeo Gomez - one of Fender’s most revered craftsmen - while the body is pencil dated 5/54 in the neck pocket. In the control cavity, the original masking tape remains, marked “Gloria 5/24/54,” a lovely and evocative detail from the factory floor. 

The hardware is all correct and period-consistent, including Kluson “no line” PAT APPLD open-shell tuners, original bridge plate with the serial number 2628, the correct 3 steel saddles 1/4" in diameter, correct chrome knobs and control cavity plate. The electronics appear original throughout, with Stackpole pots (volume dated week 41 of 1953), intact solder and the correct three position CRL switch with 3 PAT No's. The lead pickup retains its correct copper-plated baseplate with no notches to the fibre bobbin as expected for this period. Both pickups read a healthy and well-balanced 5.69k.

The guitar has been sympathetically refretted and fitted with a replacement nut, making it a far more usable instrument while retaining its vintage integrity. The original “dark circuit” capacitor has been removed but is included in the case, and the wiring currently yields two identical positions on the selector switch - easily reversible should a new owner wish to return it to either original or modern Telecaster wiring.

Condition-wise, this is a superbly preserved instrument although it has clearly been played and enjoyed over the years. It shows honest wear to the fingerboard and some pick wear at the end of the neck, consistent with the lacquer wear on the pickguard. There’s light checking, the odd ding, and some gentle edgewear, but nothing beyond what you’d expect from a well-cared-for example of this vintage. It remains a strikingly clean and complete guitar, housed in its original brown “poodle” case.

Tonally, it delivers everything you’d want from a great early Tele. The bridge pickup has that classic bite, but with a pleasing fullness and midrange that avoids any excessive harshness to the top end. The neck pickup is warm, open, and bell-like, with rich harmonic content and excellent clarity. Acoustically, it’s lively and resonant, with that unmistakable immediacy you only tend to find in the very best Blackguards.

The neck carve on this example is one of the most comfortable we have played. It has the perfect soft V with the ideal amount of depth and softness to the shoulders.

All in all, this is a top-tier 1954 blackguard Telecaster perfect for player or investor looking for golden era Fender and iconic design. Comes complete with the original brown poodle case.