Caballo Tono stands for “workhorse,” while the addition of “Ligero” means lightweight. It perfectly captures the essence of this unique Telecaster from the Fender Custom Shop.
The modifications are inspired by Texan master musicians who gave their Telecasters a boost by swapping out the neck pickup. Gretsch pickups were often used for this purpose, as they delivered significantly more output than a standard single-coil pickup without sacrificing those sparkling trebles. This Caballo Tono Ligero in a Heavy Relic Champagne Sparkle finish features an original TV Jones pickup in the neck position—ideal for Texas shuffles or southern boogie, just like ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.
Heavy Relic Champagne Sparkle
This Caballo Tono Ligero comes in a stunning Champagne Sparkle finish, carefully relic’d by the Fender Custom Shop to give it the look of a guitar that’s spent years on the club circuit. The body is made from lightweight ash, and its semi-hollow construction makes this Telecaster especially resonant. The neck features a chunky 'C' profile and a maple fingerboard with a 9.5-inch radius and jumbo frets. To balance the powerful TV Jones pickup in the neck, a Hand-Wound Red Hot Texas Special has been placed in the bridge position.
Eye for Detail
This Caballo Tono Ligero is tastefully aged with a worn-in look that never feels over the top. The hardware also shows great attention to detail. For instance, the resistance of the volume pot can be adjusted depending on the pickup you're using. The Greasebucket circuit is another welcome addition. When rolling back the tone control, it helps keep the low frequencies balanced, avoiding muddiness and delivering a thick, fat tone with strong mids.
The Limited Edition Heavy Relic Tele Caballo Tono Ligero presents an enlightened new take on Fender’s original workhorse tone machine.
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