The primary Telecasters have been so good that at present they’re made nearly precisely as they have been 70 years in the past. Working simply as nicely for rock as they do for nation and blues, there’s been little or no motive to alter the essential formulation. However that doesn’t imply builders ought to draw back from making use of their very own twist.

Status Guitars is pushing the shape ahead with its DC Coupe Customized T Hybrid. Bringing a contoured string-through swamp-ash physique, the DC Coupe averages about 7.5 kilos. The roasted-maple neck has a pau ferro fretboard, 21 medium jumbo frets on a 25.5″ scale, and is topped with Grover tuners and a Tusq XL artificial nut.

Whereas the grain-revealing translucent end, tortoiseshell pickguard, and painted headstock all contribute to the DC Coupe’s look, the double-cut physique, satin neck end, and 14″-radius fretboard conspire to supply a superlative enjoying expertise.

At 7.6k ohms, the Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 neck pickup delivers classic PAF tones, brighter and clearer than in a mahogany physique. The Duncan STL-3 Quarter Pounder on the bridge is twisted ahead with the treble poles towards the headstock. This sweetens high-end response whereas tightening bass. At 17.38k, the STL-3 can overdrive nearly any amp, whereas it balances output completely with the SH-1. Merely rolling again the Quantity knob brings the DC Coupe proper again to conventional Tele tones.

Out there in Trans White (with pau ferro fretboard) or Black (with roasted maple), it will be onerous to high the DC Coupe Customized T for single-cut gamers on the lookout for improved seems, playability, and tonal selection.

This text initially appeared in VG’s August 2023 problem. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.