Vintage Vibes: 1968 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster Featuring Nathaniel Murphy
VINTAGE VIBES:1968 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster
This 1968 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster was definitely born to be wild, and Nathaniel shows us why. Manufactured only in 1968 and 1969, the Paisley Telecasters are named for their distinctive finish, which is actually a piece of wallpaper Fender affixed to the body and then covered with a clear coat. This particular Paisley Telecaster has a one-piece maple neck and maple cap, a rare feature only available for a few years with 1968 being one. A ‘64 Fender Vibroverb and an Electro-Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi help reveal the true spirit of this special, psychedelic delight.
Nathaniel Murphy describes the 1968 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster
Hi guys, Nathaniel from Chicago Music Exchange here, and today we're showing off this wonderful 1968 Fender Pink Paisley Telecaster.
In 1968, Fender decided to go all psychedelic and add Pink Paisley wallpaper with a clear coat on some of their guitars, as you do. And behold, we have the 1968 Pink Paisley Telecasters. Infamous. These were only made in 1968 and 1969, but Fender reissued them a number of times over the years. This one is in very good condition considering it’s age. It plays and feels great. It does have checking throughout the body which is very common with this type of guitar. The neck stamp, the serial number and the bridge pick up, which is behind the ashtray here, are all from ’68. The pots from 1971, which means they were probably changed at some point. It has a beautiful one-piece maple neck and maple cap, which is an appointment that only happened for a couple of years during this era.
We're gonna be playing it today through a 1964 fender Vibroverb amp. Let’s see how it sounds.
The Technical Specs
Finish: Original
Body Material: Alder Body
Body Details: Alder solid body
Neck Material: Maple Neck
Fingerboard Material: Maple Fingerboard
Neck Profile: Medium "C"
Neck Thickness (IN): 1st- .85" 12th- .94"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25
Nut Width: 1-5/8 in
Neck Details: One piece maple neck with maple cap fingerboard and black dot inlays. 3OCT68B neck stamp.
Electronics: The pickups are original. The neck pickup is a black bobbin with plastic coated wire. The bridge pickup is a grey bobbin with blue and yellow cloth coated leads and a 1968 date under the plate (see picture). The wiring harness is not original. The pots were replaced with 1971 dated pots. The switch and output jack are also not original.
Pickup Measurements: Neck 6.5k ohms, Bridge 5.8k ohms
Hardware: Original
Weight: 7 lbs 11.5 oz
Modifications / Repairs: The guitar has been rewired. The leads from the bridge pickup have been extended. The control cavity has been widened slightly for oversized pot that were installed and have since been removed (see pictures)
Case Details: Original hard shell case.
Cosmetic Condition: The guitar has moderate play wear. The finish on the body is glossy with considerable checking. The paisley pattern is beginning to peel up underneath the clear coat and is fragile. This is common with this finish. The hardware is nicely tarnished.
Tech Notes: The guitar plays well with low action. The frets are small with light play wear. The serial number dates to 1968.
SOUNDBOARD BLOG
SHOP VINTAGE FENDER
Related Posts
Introducing | Frank Brothers Guitar Company
Started by Nick, Jon, and Tim Frank in 2014, are building upon their family history of award winning music production for the next generation of performers! Together, they are building a lineup of models that stand out in a crowded field, inspired by the unique retro-cool styling of ‘60s and ‘70s Japanese imports to craft a family of guitars. Unlike those catalogue guitars of yesteryear though, each Frank Brothers guitar features a handmade quality, countless hours of craftsmanship, and carefully chosen specifications that define the playing experience of each instrument, such as an extra-deep neck tenon and their trademark blended heel.
View Details
Marshall | 1959BJA Artist Signature Amp
At the 2026 Super Bowl, Billie Joe stepped onto stage in front of a new amplifier: the Marshall 1959BJA Artist Signature Amp! Designed with Billie Joe Armstrong, this new amplifier is handwired and features the “Dookie Mod” that has been the cornerstone of Green Day’s raw attack for 30 years!
View Details
Introducing | Asheville Music Tools
Adding another chapter to the rich musical history of Western North Carolina, Asheville Music Tools is a marriage of vintage audio processing techniques and modern, high quality electronics! Asheville Music Tools is the brainchild of former Moog engineer Rick “Hawker” Shaich, with assistance from John Snyder, the mastermind behind Electronic Audio Experiments. Hawker took the lessons learned from refining Moog’s pedals, and is now applying his expertise to every pedal that is pushed out of his shop!
View Details