❌SOLD❌ Fender 51 NoCaster Relic Custom Shop Surf Green, 2012

From the Corona Custom Shop, this Fender 51 NoCaster Relic sports a Surf Green finish, though with one exception a range of custom colours including Surf Green were introduced in 1956. The exception was a white 1951 NoCaster with gold hardware, for Oscar Moore, Nat King Cole’s guitarist.

This Fender 51 NoCaster Relic example was built during 2012 and with its custom Surf Green finish is in great condition with – aside from the relic treatment – virtually no wear. As part of the ‘Custom’ specifications, modern larger fretwire was used in place of the low and narrow ‘vintage’ style. Actual fret wear is negligible.

The original tweed ‘thermometer’ hard shell case is included, and contains the original hang tag, user guide and ‘ashtray’ bridge cover.

The Fender ‘NoCaster’ existed as a production guitar for a short time, perhaps eight months. Initially called the ‘Esquire’ with one or two pickups, Leo Fender’s guitar was renamed the ‘Broadcaster’ in October 1950. However, Gretsch quickly notified Fender that the name infringed a copyright. By December 1950 Fender was clipping the ‘Broadcaster’ name from the logo decals, and this lasted until summer 1951 when new decals with the name ‘Telecaster’ were used. As to the ‘Esquire’, in January 1951 that name was applied to the single pickup version of the guitar.

Here’s the builder on the Fender 51 NoCaster Relic:

“This recreation of a Fender classic features an ash body, U-shaped maple neck, single-ply black pickguard and original spec pickups. The NoCaster is painstakingly recreated right down to the finest detail, including the paint “halo” beneath the pickguard. The instrument has been given Fender’s “Relic” treatment to show years of natural wear and tear—nicks, scratches, worn finish, rusty hardware and aged plastic parts.”

Fender 51 NoCaster Relic Custom Shop Specifications: