Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Merle Haggard NOS 2-Color Sunburst Signature Artist 2025

A Custom Shop Tribute to "The Hag"

This Signature Telecaster celebrates Merle Haggard's aesthetic and sonic demands. Designed by the Fender Custom Shop, it modernizes the spirit of his legendary "Tuff Dog" with a Thinline chambered construction, figured maple top, and high-end luthiery details that place it at the top of the Telecaster signature range.

Who Is It For and What Styles?

Ideal for intermediate to expert guitarists, this Tele excels in country, honky-tonk, blues, classic rock, and Americana. Its set-neck, 6-saddle bridge, and series/parallel wiring offer the sharp Telecaster precision as well as a thicker, singing tone for lead playing or dynamic accompaniment.

The Sound

The pair of Custom Shop Texas Special Tele pickups delivers a biting tone rich in midrange with present highs. The 4-position selector adds series wiring for a denser, more powerful sound, while the parallel position retains the typical "twang." The tone chambers and maple center block combine airy resonance with controlled sustain. The maple fingerboard and neck, String-Through-Body steel saddle bridge, and set-neck construction contribute to precise attack, dynamic response, and note sustain.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

A .010-.046 string set is perfectly suited, notably the mentioned Fender USA 250R. A flat capo compatible with a 9.5" radius will fit the fingerboard. For transport, a Telecaster-format hard case is ideal (a Deluxe case is already included).

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	SS	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Category	TL	Electronics	Passive
Left handed	No	Electroacoustic	No
Strings	Steel	Color	Gradient
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Glossy
Nbrs of frets	22	Hardware	Gold
Scalloped	Simple

Shape	Telecaster Thinline	Neck finish	Gloss urethane
Wood	Maple center block, selected alder wings with tone chambers, laminated figured maple top	Bridge	Tele String-Through-Body 6 steel saddles, locked
Binding	Ivoroid	Tuners	Deluxe Cast/Sealed with pearl buttons
Pickguard	1-ply ivoroid	Knobs	Knurled dome
Body finish	Urethane	Hardware finish	Gold
Neck	Figured maple, set-neck with deeply sculpted heel	Pickup configuration	SS
Profile	"C" shape	Neck pickup	Custom Shop Texas Special Tele single-coil
Fingerboard	Maple	Bridge pickup	Custom Shop Texas Special Tele single-coil
Inlays	Black dots	Controls	Master volume, master tone
Fingerboard radius	9.5" / 241 mm	Selector switch	4 positions (1. bridge, 2. neck + bridge parallel, 3. neck, 4. neck + bridge series)
Number of frets	22	Orientation	Right-handed
Fret size	Medium Jumbo	Serial number	S23046794
Scale length	25.5" / 648 mm	Weight	3.22 kg
Nut material	Bone	Unique features	Tone chambers, "Tuff Dog" mother-of-pearl inlay on headstock, ivoroid body binding, set-neck, deeply sculpted heel, Merle Haggard signature on headstock
Nut width	1.65" / 42 mm	Included accessories	Brown Deluxe Hardshell case (gold interior), strap, certificate of authenticity
Truss rod	1/8" Hex (Allen)