TAPESTRY OF TONE

Dale Wilson is one of the most sought-after master builders in Fender’s Custom Shop. We join him to hear how art and resonator history collided to inspire a unique Telecaster

- Jamie Dickson

Fender’s Custom Shop guitars are the best the Californian company makes. And yet, within the Custom Shop itself, there is also another tier beyond that: guitars made by the company’s master builders, its most experienced and skilled luthiers, each of whom has their own signature style and specialisms. Dale Wilson’s guitars are particularly sought after, especially the exquisitely aged Relics he produces. But, like all the master builders, Dale is a hugely versatile guitar-maker and his talents are not limited to Relics – as his contribution to a series of ornate one-off Prestige instruments demonstrates.

Dale’s new Tapestry Telecaster was made in collaboration with the LA-based artist Pamelina who has worked on several high-profile guitars made in the Custom Shop. The resulting guitar is a dazzling one-off that takes its place alongside other unique pieces made by the Custom Shop’s top luthiers in the 2021 Masterbuilt Prestige collection. We join Dale to hear how a vintage Dobro inspired this remarkable guitar and why he thinks the pickups he used are the best pairing you can get for a Tele.

What’s the idea behind the Masterbuilt Prestige guitars?

“I guess they represent the best of what we’re doing at the moment and it tends to give to the builder free access to anything and everything that Fender offers, you know? It kind of lets us run wild with whatever. We could do that with pretty much all of our NAMM Show guitars. But this is just like, ‘Okay, just go all out on Prestige guitars.’ It’s supposed to be something that’s just wild and different.”

Why did you choose to work with Pamelina to produce the Tapestry Telecaster?