Fender Custom Shop 1956 Esquire "Chicago Special" NOS Aged Black

Designed as a love letter to Fender's transitional era of 1954–1956, the Fender Custom Shop '56 Esquire "Chicago Special" models—an instrument that nods to each year’s unique contributions. Starting in 1954, we included the 1/4" smooth saddles, single-ply white pickguard, and top hat switch tip that made their debut that year. From 1955, we borrowed the hotter, staggered pole piece bridge pickup for better string-to-string volume balance. And to capture the feel of its namesake year, 1956, we chose an exceptionally comfortable off-center “V” neck profile, flat-top knobs, and a butterfly string tree with a period-correct decal placement.

To make this Esquire truly stage-ready, a thoughtfully selected wiring scheme popularized by Fender Custom Shop’s Mike Eldred was chosen instead of the traditional “neck” position. Instead, it's been swapped out for a fixed-value capacitor which produces a subtle cocked-wah effect—perfect for pushing a solo forward or taming even the brightest amp tones.

Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster Stagger

• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Position Blade
• Position 1. Bridge Pickup w/No Tone Control
• Position 2. Bridge Pickup w/Tone Control
• Position 3. Bridge Pickup w/"Fixed Wah" Capacitor