Whitfill T Relic Blackguard Telecaster (2021)

A decent blackguard belongs in any well-stocked collection. If you're not wedded to absolutely correct vintage specs and don't want to spend a fortune on an old original, this boutique Tele from Whitfill is worth your attention. Among Tele people these are long past insider-tip status, and in the States they sometimes get called “Danocaster killers”.

Ours was imported from the USA in 2021 for $3,390 plus import costs, as there was nothing available in Europe. Alongside the light swamp ash body (3.06 kg) you get thoroughly contemporary features like grippy 6105 frets and a modern 10" radius, which makes it easy to play right up the neck. The substantial C neck feels surprisingly smooth and comfortable in the hand, and together with the ash body it's responsible for how freely this thing vibrates.

What you have here is a Tele that gives you all the classic sounds with real spark and reacts instantly to what your hands are doing. Visually it's a properly executed Butterscotch relic finish — the classic — and the ageing has had enough work put into it to hang together as a whole.

Comparable examples now cost a good $3,300 plus freight and import costs, so around €3,700–3,800 all in if you bring one over yourself. Here's a very rare chance to buy a lovely one in Europe with no waiting. We've swapped the original gig bag for a proper, expensive case to round the package off. This blackguard can hold its own against guitars costing considerably more.

Price€3,190 VAT not outlined (§ 25a UStG)