Is this a legit CS tele?

It looks right to me, but I wouldn't risk it without the paperwork.

 

I would just email fender about the serial number. It looks pretty gorgeous that's for sure.

A moments reflection will reveal that the paper work and certificates by far would be the easiest things to fake.

 

I can't say anything about authenticity, but that is a gorgeous guitar.

 

If you have the SE# you could contact Fender and ask about it also request the shop floor traveler.

That neck is pretty cool, nice top too.

 

the traveler isn't a person, it's a spec sheet with details about the guitar.

 

Case looks suspect. If you know what year this limited edition is, you should be able to determine whether it is authentic by looking at the Fender website or contacting Fender directly. Fender keeps track of this sort of thing.

 

I have a CS tele and this one looks legit to me.

 

By any chance, is it 2011, with a poly finish? In and around 2011, Fender was issuing some interesting/unusual Custom Shop Strats and Teles. Those tuners are what caught my attention and the flame maple cap.

Google "Fender Custom Shop 2011" and it'll take you to the "vault" where you can look at the various offerings during that time. They were doing Strats and Teles with locking tuners, flame maple tops, and modern bridges (2 point tremolo in the case of the Strat), with a birds eye neck.

I have 2011 CS Deluxe Strat with locking tuners, two point tremelo, birds eye maple neck and poly finish (standard ash body). I noticed that there's also no string tree on the head stock of your Tele. That's another characteristic of those guitars. Mine also didn't have one installed. The case is the one thing that is not typical for the CS guitars of that time. They were large, rectangular, plush purple interior, beige vinyl tolex or tweed covering, not a molded case. More like a "vintage" style case.

 

No red flags to me and I've owned a CS Tele. That said, can't be too careful. What's the price?
Reminds me of a Merle Haggard CS.

 

As mentioned above, it seems like it should have a different case. Other than that the guitar looks legit, and is real pretty also.

 

The S/N comes up as a 2019 LTD 69 Strat AA maple top with RW fingerboard. I think I’d be suspicious. Ask to see under the pickguard and the neck. It it’s a CS it will be stamped.

 

I don't think it's a Merle Haggard or any part of one.

The neck looks good but the Fender Logo is unlike anything I've seen. The Telecaster written like a 70's Tele? The case is definitely not CS and CS didn't use that type of case ever AFAIK.
Looks like a Custom Deluxe but the special Haggard Pickguard doesn't fit with that model or range.
You have the serial number but I wouldn't be surprised to find this is a nicely crafted Partscaster. Those stickers are available all over the place, Warmoth could do that neck and the neck plates are often seen on ebay.
If someone had the traveler sheet and the serial plate you could make one so close it would be hard to tell. The sheet would need to list the pickguard and color, the body with belly cut and quilted top with binding and the locking tuners and the different headstock font.

I'd lay money that 3 color sunburst was not painted in the Custom shop and the book match for such an expensive guitar is poor.

 

+1

 

The case makes me VERY suspicious , modern locking tuners together with a vintage bridge is another red flag.