Suwak Tele Relic Shoreline Gold Paulownia (2025, new)

Here's a beautiful T-style in a “Relic Ready” light aged Shoreline Gold nitro — a classy finish that manages understatement and a wow factor at once.

The aim of this order was a particularly light country Tele with plenty of twang and wire to it, without sounding thin or shrill. Mission accomplished: a very resonant Tele with a fast response at just 2.68 kg, thanks to the paulownia body. Perfect for anything from funk to country rock.

The neck is a substantial 3A maple with a 9.5" radius. Besides the excellent fat C shape it's had the oil and wax treatment — and take a look at that wild 3A birdseye, it's a beauty. Kawus went for a two-piece body in light paulownia to keep the weight down. It also happens to be about the most sustainable tonewood in guitar building; Nik Huber swears by paulownia too. The Shoreline Gold is sprayed wafer-thin in nitro and covered in very fine, authentic crackle.

Played unplugged, the paulownia Tele is loud and lively. The low frequencies are naturally a little more restrained, which gives it an almost semi-hollow character — and that feeds the fast response and gives you the twang we all love about a maple-neck Tele. The Häussel pickups suit its character perfectly. You can shape the tone with your fingers and the guitar follows without effort. The neck pickup is creamy and round without burying the twang. Everything here is first rate — masterbuilt work.

Price€2,890 incl. VAT