Along with a handful of contemporaries, Jason Isbell has ushered in a fresh era of country music by returning to the genre’s roots of storytelling-based songwriting, raw emotions, and equally raw performances. But make no mistake: Jason Isbell is no mere revivalist; he’s a contemporary artist putting a modern twist on his country and rock ’n’ roll influences. The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster is something of an analog for Jason’s style. Based on Jason’s Custom Shop master-built Telecaster, this gorgeous instrument pairs old-school soul with new-school attitude. Finished in a Road Worn chocolate burst with just the right amount of distressing, the Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster’s alder body features white double-edge binding, contrasted with a black-white-black 3-ply pickguard. And it’s specially voiced for the kind of Muscle Shoals-inspired swamp rock that Jason and the 400 Unit break out during live performances. Combine that with a comfy mid-’60s profile neck and chicken-pickin’-friendly modified bridge, and you’ve got a barn burner of a Tele that’s ready to lay down some serious grooves.
Fender Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster at a Glance:
- Double-bound body
- Road Worn Chocolate sunburst lacquer finish and aged hardware
- Mid-’60s “C”-shape maple neck with 7.25” rosewood fingerboard
- Custom-designed Jason Isbell Telecaster pickups
- Custom-modified bridge with vintage brass barrel saddles
Road Worn alder body offers seasoned feel and aesthetics
The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster features a balanced-sounding alder body — a mainstay on Fender bodies with a distinctive tone that’s at the center of some of rock ’n’ roll’s most enduring classics. A Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish gives this solidbody electric guitar the look and feel of a well-used vintage instrument. A 3-ply black-white-black pickguard, modified brass-saddle Tele bridge, and vintage-style tuners put the perfect finishing touches on this Tele, supplying you with seasoned aesthetics, plus rock-solid performance and tuning stability.
Custom-voiced pickups for tasty Tele twang
Jason Isbell’s Custom Shop Telecaster went through a trial by fire shortly after he received it from Fender’s Master Builders. During a live performance at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic, Jason’s pedalboard unexpectedly died, leaving him with just his Custom Shop Tele plugged straight into his amp. Jason played the whole set with this stripped-back pairing and tore the roof off. The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster’s custom-voiced Jason Isbell pickup set delivers serious Tele twang and swamp rock bark that absolutely sings through a tube combo — no pedals required!.
Mid-’60s “C”-shaped neck ensures easy playability
The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster is a treat to play, largely because of its mid-’60s “C”-shaped neck profile. This is a pleasantly stout neck, and guitarists here note that its increased mass yields an incredibly natural feel, as well as excellent sustain. Its 7.25-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard is complete with 21 vintage-tall frets that feel incredible. This neck secures to the guitar’s alder body with a traditional 4-bolt plate, emblazoned with Jason’s anchor and sparrow tattoo, and includes a synthetic bone nut.
What Fender Says…
Armed with blistering guitar chops, incisive lyrics and a powerful voice, Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell has emerged as a leading face of the Americana movement – a dynamic blend of traditional roots music and modern rock. The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster is visually striking – the Chocolate Sunburst pops against the cream double-binding of the ‘59-style Telecaster Custom body while Fender’s Road Worn® aging process gives it the look and feel of a well-used instrument. The vintage-inspired mid-’60s “C”-shaped maple neck and 21-fret rosewood fingerboard combines with the sparkling, fiery tones of the custom Jason Isbell Telecaster Pickups and the chicken-pickin’ playability of the modified bridge to create a guitar that sounds and plays as a good as it looks.
Double-Bound Body
Classy cream binding around the top and back of the instrument’s body.
Road Worn Finish and Hardware
The Road Worn Chocolate Sunburst lacquer finish and aged hardware give this guitar the look and feel of a lovingly broken-in instrument.
Jason Isbell Telecaster Pickups
Custom-designed for Jason Isbell by pickup guru Tim Shaw, this single-coil Tele pickup set delivers the twang, sparkle and fire Jason is known for.
Custom Modified Bridge with Vintage Brass Barrel Saddles
Vintage look with tapered sides for comfort; solid vintage-style brass barrel saddles for true Tele tone.
Mid-’60s “C” Shape Maple Neck Shape with 7.25” Radius Rosewood Fingerboard
The comfortable and familiar “C”-shape neck profile allows easy playability, while the vintage-correct fingerboard radius delivers a classic feel.
Headstock Access Truss Rod
Allows the truss rod to be adjusted quickly and easily.
- Re-creation of Jason Isbell’s Custom Shop Telecaster
- Balanced-sounding alder body epitomizes the classic Fender tone
- Road Worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish supplies a seasoned look and feel
- Custom-voiced single-coils with serious Tele twang
- Mid-’60s “C” profile is pleasantly stout with increased mass
- Easy-playing 7.25-inch-radius fingerboard with 21 vintage-tall frets
- Attention-grabbing white double-edge binding and 3-ply black-white-black pickguard
- Modified brass-saddle Tele bridge is perfect for chicken-pickin’ styles
Why Buy From Marshall Music
At Marshall Music, we’re all passionate and highly experienced musicians that love what we do. Family run and family owned for over 35 years, we stock a huge variety of the very best brands in the world of musical instruments, music technology, professional audio and accessories. At Marshall Music, you’ll get the right advice – exactly what you need to make the best possible purchasing decision. We’ll do all we can to make sure you get the right thing at the right price as efficiently as possible – leaving you with a smile on your face!
