"Fender Telecaster" Electric Guitar

After an unforgettable trip to Nashville, TN, the beating heart of music itself, I felt an undeniable spark—I had to build my first electric guitar. Fueled by inspiration from legendary sounds and iconic instruments, I set out on a journey that would push my craftsmanship to new heights.

This project wasn’t just about assembling a guitar—it was about mastering the art of the build. From shaping and fretting the neck to wiring up the electronics, every step demanded patience, precision, and a whole new set of skills. I learned the delicate balance of neck-building, the fine art of soldering, and the magic of bringing raw wood to life with nothing but my own hands.

Every hardware component? Authentic Fender, proudly made in the USA. And for that perfect finishing touch, I added Fender water slide logos to the headstock—purely for aesthetics, a nod to the classics that inspired me.

But the real magic? Every single wood component was handcrafted from scratch. No shortcuts. No prefab parts. Just passion, craftsmanship, and the drive to create an instrument that doesn’t just play music—it tells a story. Thank you for the honor of being near the guitar you entered into the Americana 2025 contest, Christopher Cheatwood.