Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Fender Custom Shop Announces the Terry Kath Telecaster

Fender Custom Shop Announces the Terry Kath Telecaster

Master builder Dennis Galuszka recreates the legendary "Chicago" guitarist's legacy with a collectible, limited run guitar.


The Fender Custom Shop pays tribute to an acclaimed pioneer by recreating Kath’s custom Telecaster guitar—which was played throughout his live performances with Chicago and truly embodied the notion of ā€œcustomā€ long before the Fender Custom Shop was founded. Master Builder Dennis Galuszka has replicated the guitar in exacting, every scratch-for-scratch detail, from the Pignose stickers to the gaff-tape-sealed rear body route and every other custom element. With up to 50 units made worldwide, the Limited Edition Terry Kath Telecaster is a meticulously crafted homage to one of the true guitar greats of our time.

ā€œTerry Kath is one of the most incredible guitar players that ever lived,ā€ said Mike Lewis, Vice President Product Development at Fender Custom Shop. ā€œHis iconic playing style paved the way for many guitar players and has inspired other legends through the years. When his daughter, Michelle, told us they wanted to entrust the Fender Custom Shop to recreate Kath’s famed, fan favorite Telecaster guitar from Chicago, we were honored. Fan’s had been making their own versions of this guitar for years, but this time master builder Dennis Galuszka replicated every single detail - from the synchronized Strat guitar tremolo with sawed off Tele bridge plate to other custom elements of the body adorned with stickers and other personalized touches.ā€

ā€œThis moment has been a long time coming,ā€ said Michelle Kath Sinclair, Terry’s daughter. ā€œWhen we were making the documentary about my dad (Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience), we didn’t know where the guitar was, so the film almost became a hunt for this Telecaster guitar. We finally found it at my grandpa’s house; he labeled all of the guitar cases and this one said ā€œTerry’s Favorite.ā€ Finding this guitar meant everything to me, because it feels like I have a piece of him with me that’s so iconic.ā€

ā€œBringing the guitar to Fender for the first time was probably one of the most exciting days,ā€ she added. ā€œGoing into Dennis’ workspace, I got to see his tools, how the flow works and how they go about the process of making the guitar, which is really cool. He nailed it. My hope for the replicas is that they find really good homes with people who are just as excited as we are about them being in the world. It means a lot to our family.ā€

The Terry Kath Telecaster | Dream Factory | Fender

For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fendercustomshop.com.

ā€œSometimes, I’d like very much for my guitar to sound exactly like a supa cobra.ā€

Luthier Creston Lea tells us about his favorite dirt pedal—an Athens, Georgia-made stomp that lets his guitar be a hero.

Let’s face it: Nobody can tell what overdrive pedal you’re using. Whether you’re in a carpeted suburban basement accompanying the hired clown at your nephew’s fifth birthday party or standing on the spot-lit monitor at Wembley, not one person knows whether the pedal at your feet cost $17 or $700, has true bypass, or has an internal DIP switch. Nobody leaning against the barn-dance corncrib or staunching a nosebleed up in the stadium’s cheap seats is thinking, ā€œHeavens yes!! THAT is the sound of a silicone diode!ā€

Read MoreShow less
Jack White's 1950s Kay Hollowbody Guitar
- YouTube

This hollowbody has been with Jack since the '90s purring and howling onstage for hundreds of shows.

Our columnist’s Greco 912, now out of his hands, but fondly remembered.

A flea-market find gave our Wizard of Odd years of squealing, garage-rock bliss in his university days.

Recently, I was touring college campuses with my daughter because she’s about to take the next step in her journey. Looking back, I’ve been writing this column for close to 10 years! When I started, my kids were both small, and now they’re all in high school, with my oldest about to move out. I’m pretty sure she’s going to choose the same university that I attended, which is really funny because she’s so much like me that the decision would be totally on point.

Read MoreShow less

Kevin Gordon and his beloved ES-125, in earlier days.

Photo by David Wilds

Looking for new fuel for your sound and songs? Nashville’s Kevin Gordon found both in exploring traditional blues tunings and their variations.

I first heard open guitar tunings while in college, from older players who’d become friends or mentors, and from various artists playing at the Delta Blues Festival in the early mid-’80s, which was held in a fallow field in Freedom Village, Mississippi—whose topographical limits likely did not extend beyond said field.

Read MoreShow less