WITHDRAWN FT: Fret King Stvdio Tele 2016 Custom Shop Hand Built

Sammy · February 2023

This is my Fret King Stvdio Telecaster 2016 Custom Hand Built One Offs, not to be repeated, so are very rare.

These were not your normal run of the mill Fret Kings as the Stvdio guitars were all one off custom handbuilt, none were the same, built by Trevor Wilkinson and his master craftsman and there were only few ever made. As per below taken from JHS Website

"Rarer still, as literally only a few were made, are Fret-King® STVDIO Series™, which as the brochure of the day said were “Beyond exclusive, these unique atelier design exercises showcase the outside of the envelope of Fret-King’s capabilities. Created personally by Trev Wilkinson and his master builder Mike Smith, in Trev’s Southport workshop, these one-off instruments blur the boundaries between guitars and art with off-the-wall cosmetics, mind-blowing configurations, tonal capabilities that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and playability to die for."

Only a few well known music shops had any of these to selI, one of which was the old Ivor Mariant's shop in London and I bought this new from them 2016. All the Stvdio guitars being custom guitars were over £2,000 with this one being £2,300.

This guitar original came with a Wilkinson Special Humbucker and Seymour Duncan ST1-1b Vintage Broadcaster bridge pickup which I changed for a Seymour Duncan Brad Paisley pickup late 2021, as although the guitar sounded really good on front and middle positions, for me, I did find the original bridge quite ice picky by itself, so after almost 6 years I decided to change it, after getting some advice from Seymour Duncan themselves, who were very helpful.
Then in early 2022 I decided to also buy the Brad Paisley Single Coil Neck pickup. So rather than get just the pickup, I managed to source another almost identical pickguard in same tortoise shell colour with a single coil cut out. This is currently on the guitar, so you can swap pickguards over if you want a change to a humbucker. When swapped over to the other pickguard, the humbucker can also be split into a single coil, as the guitar was fitted as a pull switch on the tone control. So you now have the choice of the usual Telecaster single coils, or can change to Humbucker neck, with single coil bridge.

This is an absolutely great guitar, with a really lovely easy neck to play and has a great sound with either set of pickups. It also comes with the Fret King Hiscox Case, which were only supplied with the top models. I have had many Telecasters over the years and in fact owned about 15 at one time, a bit excessive I know, but apart from the only other Telecaster I now currently own, which was built for me by a well known Luthier & friend, the Fret King is probably the best Telecaster I have previously ever had.

The only reason for now moving this on, is I suffer from back/neck problems, which has got a bit worse as time goes on and whilst this is still quite light at about 7.8lbs, I really need something just a bit lighter 7lbs or less, when we do play out, which isn't that often now.

There was an original brochure that showed all the Stvdio models incl prices, including mine, but unfortunately it can't be found now on the web. Though I did contact JHS and whilst they were unable to locate it either in their archives, they managed to find some details of my actual guitar after I sent them a photo of it, which they sent me along with a picture of it.

Some of the details described as below
Once Piece maple Neck along with 22 frets, alongside a deliciously comfortable 60's 'C' Profile.The neck utilises a 10" fingerboard radius to facilicate easier string bending, with a slinky, fast playing action.By utilising an original spec small diameter truss rod, there is a much greater ratio of wood to metal, all contributing to keeping the vintage tone you would expect from this guitar
SpecificationBody: Swamp Ash with distressed vintage white finishNeck/Fingerboard: 22 fret maple neck with vintage fret wirePickups & Controls: Alnico V single coil bridge pickup and distressed neck humbuckerPickguard/Hardware: Aged lacquaered tortoiseshell, Distressed hardware.

This is honestly a fabulous guitar and I don't think anyone would be disappointed once they have played and tried it, way better than any actual F..... I have had or tried! Plus it's the only Telecaster I have ever been able to use 10's on rather than 009's, as it's so easy action to play.

I am looking to either swap for a similar value Telecaster or willing to trade up or down accordingly cash either way, if it's the right guitar, sounds good and plays well. Must, obviously be lighter weight, preferabaly have a maple neck and with a C profile type neck not skinny or too chunky.

Collection Only will not Post, as per any of my previous guitars/amps sold on here.

Sammy · February 2023

Sorry having to do two pics at a time as otherwise they won't seem to load up!

Sammy · February 2023

kennedydream1980 · February 2023

Sammy · February 2023

@ Kennedydream 1980, Not really sure why you have re-posted another pic of my first photo!

davros · February 2023

It's to avoid people having to click into the imgur links - help you get more eyes on the guitar you're selling!

Sammy · February 2023

Okay thanks, can only presume he went on imgur to get a larger pic!

davros · February 2023

I believe he just used your URL and embedded it with the little picture of a document in the toolbar.

kennedydream1980 · February 2023

Yep I just used the existing picture from the Imgur link.

Sammy · February 2023

Someone asked, so just to confirm, please don't confuse with the previous Fret Kings Country Squire, all the Stvdio guitars were one off handbuilt models and completely differ and were in another league to any of the standard models, including their top range models.

The Fretkings, were really good guitars in their own right, though can't actually say what they are like now, since Trevor Wilkinson moved on, as have never played/tried any Fretking since! Before I bought my Stvdio, I originally bought the Fret King J Etheridge semi acoustic model, which was really excellent and only sold it later on, due to the wider fingerboard, which I couldn't quite get use to.

With the Stvdio models, you just have to play one, to feel and hear the difference from any of their normal range, theres just no comparison.

Sammy · February 2023

Recently put this up on fleabay, with the option for p/ex etc as I had on here. Had quite a few interested in a p/ex of some sort, but unfortunately ebay took it off after a couple of days, so was unable to contact anyone interested, advising me that I was breaking ebay rules by offering p/ex, even though I had clearly stated that ebay fees would be paid on full amount of my guitar, if any p/ex was agreed. They said as I may have not known this, that I wouldn't be banned for now and it would just be a warning!

Anyany no such thing on here, so anyone interested in offering me a lighter Telecaster guitar, as per requirements, with cash either way!

Sammy · February 2023

Have had some offers of P/Ex but nothing that is suitable for my needs!

Sammy · March 2023

WHY?

Sammy · March 2023

Had interest from North of the border but as mentioned previously, sorry won't post!

So as I have done previously on some other guitars have sold in the past, would be willing to meet up in London near Tube Station, if coming down from Midlands, North etc!

&/or would be open to meet somewhere not too far for Southerners who get travel sickness

Sammy · March 2023

Come on there must be some Southerners who I'm sure would love this, if they just tried it! As good as any Fender and at a great price for a custom handbuilt model.

Sammy · March 2023

Any really lightweight Telecaster!

Sammy · April 2023

Still looking as currently don't have any lightweight electric guitar to play out, as my latest addition was a 335 type guitar, which is too heavy to take out but I just had to have it from my friend, so just indoors use only!

So someone must have a lightweight Tele they want to change, for a fantastic Custom Shop model that has both the Tele traditional plus Brad Paisley Sound and the Tele Custom sound with the interchangeable humbucker pickguard!

Sammy · May 2023

So someone must have a nice lighter weight Telecaster please they would be interested in doing a P/Ex for a really lovely Hand Built Fret King One, which is still considered lightweight?

Image: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/plugins/EmojiExtender/emoji/fb/3.gif

streethawk · May 2023

Looks a tasty Tele. I would strongly consider a Thinline for the lightweight, should be easier to find a trade with too.

Sammy · May 2023

streethawk said:

Looks a tasty Tele. I would strongly consider a Thinline for the lightweight, should be easier to find a trade with too.

Your right, it really is and someone would get a great guitar but cant' find anyone with something lighter, only same or heavier!

Would consider a Thinline if it sounded good and played well, but no one has offered one yet!

Sammy · May 2023

Still looking for a trade, as nothing suitable yet!

Sammy · May 2023

Found this on the JHS website, to just confirm the differences on the Fret-King Guitars from the bog standard Black Series to the Top of the Range Stvdio Series!

Alongside Blue Label™, from the UK Fret-King workshop, JHS introduced Fret-King® Green Label™, which were exceptionally high quality, custom shop environment, low volume hand-built instruments. So subtly nuanced, these traditional designs were fettled to feel like the ‘go-to’ guitar you’d played every day for fifty years but were imbued with modern reliability and all the benefits of Trev’s decades of knowledge of hardware, pickup design, fit and finish.

The lucky few who own a Fret-King® Green Label™ guitar or bass have a thing of beauty and a peerless musical instrument easily the equal of the highest dollar instrument produced by any maker.

Of even greater rarity are the few Fret-King® Atelier Series™ guitars produced, which were one off cosmetic enhancements of stock Green Label® guitars.

Rarer still, as literally only a few were made, are Fret-King® STVDIO Series™, which as the brochure of the day said were “Beyond exclusive, these unique atelier design exercises showcase the outside of the envelope of Fret-King’s capabilities. Created personally by Trev Wilkinson and his master builder Mike Smith, in Trev’s Southport workshop, these one-off instruments blur the boundaries between guitars and art with off-the-wall cosmetics, mind-blowing configurations, tonal capabilities that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and playability to die for.

And you even now have the choice of Humbucker or Single coil in the bridge position on mine!

Sammy · June 2023

Okay still haven't had any offers of a lighter Tele as a p/ex only same or heavier!

So give it one more time to see if there is anyone out there before maybe having to just going for cash sale and find my own lightweight Tele!

Sammy · June 2023

Unfortunately, apart from same or heavier Tele's no one has yet come up with lighter one to trade!

Sammy · June 2023

Still haven't had anyone offer a lighter model which I require, so will maybe have to source one myself!

Sammy · June 2023

Have had offers, but unfortunately still no lighter Telecasters! So as I need a lighter guitar would now be willing to maybe Trade for something other than a Telecaster. Must be around 7lbs preferably under, but no heavy metal type guitars, Les Pauls etc, lightweight semi would be okay.

So W.H.Y.

Sammy · July 2023

Had some more offers but nothing suitable, so still looking.

Sammy · August 2023

Nearly traded with one of the offers, but decided the guitar was unfortunately not really for me!

So this absolute lovely Tele is still here waiting for the right exchange.

Sammy · August 2023

fretfinder · August 2023

Sammy said:

Have not had anything that suits in trying to do a P/EX so will now consider accepting any reasonable offer.

Lovely guitar. What’s the asking price? You need to state a price if it’s for sale on here.

Sammy · August 2023

fretfinder said:

Sammy said:

Have not had anything that suits in trying to do a P/EX so will now consider accepting any reasonable offer.

Lovely guitar. What’s the asking price? You need to state a price if it’s for sale on here.

Howdy, Stranger!

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WITHDRAWN FT: Fret King Stvdio Tele 2016 Custom Shop Hand Built

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