Here we have a Glas Customs Esquire build, part of our Golden Era Collection, inspired by the slab-board transitional models of 1960–1961. Finished in aged blonde and relic’d as part of our 2025 Fall lineup, this one captures the vibe of the era while being built to play night after night. The alder body is feather light at only 7.2 lbs, with a dry, woody acoustic response that feels alive in the hands. The finish has been UV-aged to simulate decades of natural exposure, then checked, dulled, and worn down to bare wood in all the right places, capturing the unmistakable feel of a working guitar from the early days of rock ’n’ roll. Even the single-ply guard shows light shrinkage and lift, just like the originals.
This build nails the early-’60s Esquire character: a slab rosewood board paired with a one-piece maple neck, single-ply white guard, and classic three-saddle Tele bridge. It’s stripped-down, raw, and unapologetic — the one-pickup formula that forces you to work the controls and your hands to pull every shade of tone.
The neck has been refinished in nitrocellulose lacquer and hand-sanded for a soft, played-in feel. It wears rolled edges, tasteful wear along the back, and is fitted with a hand-shaped bone nut. Measurements come in at 42 mm at the nut and 51.32 mm at the 12th fret, with a depth of 20.93 mm at the 1st fret and 24.13 mm at the 12th. The profile is a comfortable Modern C with a 9.5" radius and 25.5" scale length, giving it a modern player’s feel while retaining a vintage aesthetic. Tuners are vintage-style Klusons, relic’d to match. This neck is fitted with 21 medium jumbo frets for smooth bends and easy maintenance.
Electronics are set up vintage Esquire style, with a staggered-pole Texas Special Tele bridge pickup delivering hot output, glassy highs, and a snarling midrange bite. The harness is wired with CTS 250k pots, cloth push-back wiring, and a 3-way selector. At the heart of the circuit are boutique paper-in-oil capacitors, including a classic green “Vitamin Q” style cap — prized for their warmth, harmonic depth, and vintage-correct response. Together, these upgrades add richness and dimension to the Esquire’s famously raw single-pickup circuit. The TonePros 4-point jack replaces the fragile vintage cup design — no spin, no wobble, just rock-solid reliability that will last a lifetime.
Hardware includes the classic Tele bridge with correct vintage 55 mm string spacing and dome-top controls, all relic’d for both appearance and function. The guitar is strung with 9–42s and set up low and smooth, delivering the trademark Esquire snap with surprising versatility. Roll the knob back, and it’ll go from snarling rock ’n’ roll to a warm, vocal-like jazz tone.
neck specs
Nut Width: 42 mm (1.650")
Width at 12th: 51.32 mm
Neck Profile: Modern C
Scale Length: 25.5"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
Frets: 21 medium jumbo
Neck Thickness: 20.93 mm at 1st; 24.13 mm at 12th
Truss rod: Correct vintage spec, fully functional
Nut: Hand-shaped bone
Tuners: Vintage-style Kluson, relic’d
Bridge String Spacing: 55 mm (vintage spec)
Finish: Refinished in nitro, hand-sanded and faded
Strings: 9–42s
This Esquire is the perfect mix of raw simplicity and expressive versatility. The lightweight body resonates like a true vintage instrument, while the single-pickup setup keeps you honest — every detail comes from your touch. Add in the upgraded caps, Texas Special pickup, and TonePros jack, and you’ve got reliability and tone that elevate this from a tribute to a serious player’s tool. It looks every bit the 1960 Esquire but performs like a modern workhorse — snappy, clear, and alive.
Now — love them or hate them, relics are what they are. But we ask that you take a moment to appreciate the amount of hands-on work that goes into every inch of a build like this. We’re not striving to make 100% historically accurate museum clones — we’re riffing on the era with a player-first mindset. These are art pieces as much as instruments, with every choice made to look, feel, and most importantly, sound amazing.
The guitar ships in a relic’d cream tolex G&G hard case with yellow interior — lightly aged and perfectly matched to the build.
At GG, every guitar we list goes through a full inspection and setup. This one is ready to plug in and play.
Buy with confidence. We ship fully insured within 24 hours of cleared payment and use recycled packaging whenever possible. We pack with care and encourage you to recycle upon receipt. Please check our feedback.
