Inspired by a refinished ‘68 Fender Telecaster that was purchased from our shop a few years back — only for the new owner to find that stripping off the solid black lacquer revealed one of the rarest Fender finishes from the era — CME worked in close partnership with Fender Custom Shop to develop the concept for the new “Chicago Special” Color Over Pattern CME Exclusive series. These new Fender “Chicago Special” Color Over Pattern CME Exclusive Telecasters feature a solid-color, extra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer in Fender’s Deluxe Closet Classic relic package, so that, as you play this guitar, the finish will naturally wear down over time, to reveal a pattern wallpaper finish beneath—just like the guitar that inspired these recreations!
“Chicago Special” Tele pickups
- Potted in shellac for open wide range frequency response
- 43 gauge enamel wire
- Bridge: Wide diameter AlNiCo 3 magnets combined with thinner 43 gauge enamel wire equals ‘hot juicy tone’
- Neck: Wide diameter AlNiCo 5 magnets overwound with 43 gauge enamel wire gives high output, clarity, and punch
Model Number: 9237101625
Serial Number: R116994
Finish Package: Deluxe Closet Classic
Case: Fender Custom Shop Black
Weight: 7lbs 11oz
Body Wood: 2-Piece Alder
Body Color: Aged Lake Placid Blue over Pink Paisley
Body Finish: Lacquer
Sort for Lightweight: Yes
Body Notes: Extra Thin Top Coating
Hardware Plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: Tele 67
Output Assembly: Vintage Tele
Control Assembly: Modern Tele with Greasebucket
Neck Plate: Reissue Fender Logo
Tuner Keys: Schaller F Keys
String Guide: American Vintage 65 with Nylon Spacer
String Gauge: 10-46
Neck Assembly: ’67 Tele Closet Classic Relic
Neck Finish: Light Tint Nitro Lacquer
Neck Blank: Rift Sawn Maple
Fingerboard: Rift Sawn Maple
Truss Rod: Late 60’s
Head Style: Telecaster
Neck Head Thickness: .575″
Neck Scoop: 60
Dot Spacing: Narrow
Face Dot: Micarta Black 7mm
Side Dot: Micarta Black 3/32″
Fret Wire: Vintage Upgrade
Number of Frets: 21
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25″
Neck Back Shape: 60 Style Oval “C”
Neck Nut Width: 1.650″
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .850″
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .920″
Neck Butt Width: 2.200″
Nut Material: Standard Blank
Number of Bolts: 4 Bolt
Head Cap Decal: 67-76 Tele
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
Pickup Neck: Handwound “Chicago Special”
Pickup Bridge: Handwound “Chicago Special”
Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome