“The most perfect Tele I’ve ever felt”: Fender and Brad Paisley revive a lost classic with the 1967 “Lost Paisley” Signature Telecaster
Fender has teamed up with country star Brad Paisley on a new signature Telecaster that brings one of the company’s most mysterious vintage finishes back to life.
Dubbed the “Lost Paisley”, this limited-edition guitar is based on Paisley’s own ultra-rare 1967 blue paisley Telecaster – complete with throwback styling, high-end specs, and Paisley’s personal mods.
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First introduced in 1968, the short-lived Paisley Red and Blue Flower finishes were Fender’s response to the “Summer of Love” counterculture movement – featuring decorative Cling-Foil paper adorned with vibrant colors, a matching metallic burst, and a psychedelic flair.
However, the finish’s combination of thick paper, weak adhesives, and polyester clear coats made them vulnerable. Many Paisley guitars were refinished or repainted as chipping and flaking became unavoidable. By late 1969, Fender had discontinued the line, and these instruments began to fade into obscurity.
In the decades since, these quirky instruments have gained a cult following. Their unconventional look and rarity made them collector’s items, especially among artists who appreciated both their eccentric charm and tonal potential. Unsurprisingly, Brad Paisley – whose name is practically synonymous with Telecasters – became one of those artists.
Now, thanks to Fender’s Custom Shop, Paisley’s long-held vision for the Lost Paisley has finally materialised.
Credit: Fender
Dressed in a relic’d blue paisley finish reminiscent of his beloved ‘67 model, the guitar features a lightweight body made from alder, paulownia, and spruce, paired with a custom ’60s oval C-shape maple neck and a round-laminated maple fretboard. Under the hood, Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Hand-Wound Lost Paisley pickups deliver the warmth and clarity Paisley demands, while a Glaser “G” Bender system enables those signature pedal-steel-like bends.
Each guitar comes housed in a vintage-style case and includes a period-correct Fender strap and certificate of authenticity. The price? A cool $7,000.
“It’s unreal that my own name is one of the coolest finishes I think Fender has ever done,” says Paisley. “This is an attempt to show what this lost color could have been. It’s the best guitar I’ve ever had.”
Chase Paul, Director of Product Development at Fender Custom Shop, adds, “This isn’t just an Artist Signature model – it’s a glimpse into what could have been, had this concept made it to production. A true missing link in Fender Telecaster evolution.”
67 guitars will be produced by the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California, while Brad Paisley in collaboration with the Fender Nashville R&D team, will personally build 19 guitars as a tribute to the original’s creation. The former will be sold through Fender’s dealer network while Paisley’s 19 units will be available exclusively through his channels.
Learn more at Fender.
The post “The most perfect Tele I’ve ever felt”: Fender and Brad Paisley revive a lost classic with the 1967 “Lost Paisley” Signature Telecaster appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
