Bill Nash is an expert in building vintage guitars, having worked with countless instruments over the years. His extensive knowledge ensures that each Nash T-69TL looks authentically aged with control knobs, pickguards, a dinged and scratched finish, and aged hardware. Despite its vintage appearance, the modern techniques used in its construction guarantee that it plays like a brand-new instrument. Each Nash T-69TL is handcrafted, making every guitar unique. It boasts a maple fingerboard, an alder body, and Lollar hand-wound pickups. The bridge features a high-quality aged Gotoh Compensated Saddle, crafted from top-shelf materials, and the entire guitar undergoes an aging process to achieve its distinctive wear and tear.
alder body
desert sand color
3-ply black pickguard
Lollar Vintage T (Neck), Lollar Special T (Bridge)
C neck shape
Maple fingerboard
Light aging
The Nash Guitars T-69TL in Desert Sand is part of the T-Style series, which is inspired by the classic Telecaster design but features custom craftsmanship and modern upgrades. Nash Guitars are known for their high-quality instruments with an aged, vintage feel, designed for players who want a traditional vibe but with modern playability and sound. The T-69TL is a specific model with unique features that blend vintage aesthetics with modern upgrades.
Here are the detailed specifications for the Nash T-69TL Desert Sand:
General Overview:
- Model: Nash Guitars T-69TL Desert Sand
- Type: Custom Telecaster-style electric guitar
- Body Shape: Telecaster-inspired (T-Style)
- Finish: Desert Sand (aged, light relic finish)
- Made in: USA (Handcrafted)
Body:
- Wood:
- Alder , which are both classic options for T-style guitars. Alder provides a balanced, clear tone,
- Finish:
- Aged Desert Sand nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The relicing process gives the guitar a worn-in look and feel, as if it’s been played for years, offering a vintage vibe without the need to wait decades for aging.
- Body Weight: Typically in the range of 7.5 - 8.5 lbs, depending on the wood used.
Neck:
- Neck Wood: Maple
- Neck Shape: '60s-style "C" profile (classic Tele neck profile). This is a comfortable, medium-thick neck shape that suits a variety of playing styles.
- Fingerboard Wood: Maple
- Fingerboard Radius: 10" radius (a modern, versatile radius that works well for both chordal and lead playing).
- Scale Length: 25.5" (classic Fender scale length).
- Frets: 21 medium-jumbo frets for comfortable playability, especially in bending and lead playing.
- Nut Width: Typically 1.650" (standard Fender nut width).
- Neck Finish: Satin finish with a smooth feel for easy playability and a vintage-style "worn-in" look.
Pickups:
- Neck Pickup: Custom-wound Single-Coil pickup (vintage-style sound with clarity and warmth).
- Bridge Pickup: Custom-wound Single-Coil pickup (classic Tele sound with bright, punchy tone and pronounced high-end).
- Pickup Configuration: S/S (single-coil pickups in both positions).
- Pickup Switching: Traditional 3-way switch (Bridge, Bridge + Neck, Neck).
Electronics:
- Controls:
- 1 Volume control
- 1 Tone control (both controls are vintage-style with smooth, usable sweeps).
- Capacitors: High-quality components for a clear, responsive tone.
- Wiring: Vintage-style wiring for a traditional tone and feel.
Hardware:
- Bridge: Vintage-style 3-saddle bridge with brass saddles (enhancing sustain and delivering classic Tele "twang").
- Tuners: Vintage-style known for their smooth operation and vintage look.
Aesthetic and Relic Treatment:
- Relic Level: The Desert Sand finish is lightly aged, offering a “light relic” appearance with natural wear and tear. This includes:
- Light dings, scratches, and checking in the finish
- Worn areas on the neck and edges of the body
- The guitar's overall aesthetic is designed to replicate the feel of a well-loved vintage instrument.
Additional Features:
- Neck Joint: Traditional 4-bolt neck plate with smooth, contoured joint for better playability and comfort.
Tone and Playability:
- Sound:
- The T-69TL Desert Sand delivers a classic Tele sound, with crisp highs, tight lows, and a bright, cutting tone from the bridge pickup. The neck pickup provides warmth and a slightly darker tone with a smooth character. The overall sound is full, punchy, and responsive to touch and dynamics.
- The vintage-style pickups retain the bright, clear tones that Telecasters are famous for, while the relic finish adds a slightly "broken-in" quality that makes it feel comfortable and easy to play right out of the box.
Summary:
The Nash T-69TL Desert Sand is a custom-crafted, Telecaster-style guitar that blends vintage design with high-quality craftsmanship. It offers classic Tele tones, playability, and aesthetics, along with a modern take on the relic look. The Desert Sand finish and aged hardware add to the guitar’s vintage vibe, making it ideal for players seeking a classic instrument with a touch of personality and a great tone.
The T-69TL is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable, vintage-inspired guitar with a modern touch, providing a versatile platform for various genres, from country and blues to rock and pop.