2000s Jason Twigg-Smith (Vermont) "Twisted Tele" Electric Guitar

Want a Telecaster but different? Want it slightly offset and just a smidge beveled for your arm? Want it with a big old mahogany body in an eye-catching shape? Want it made in Vermont and to a high spec? Want an interesting, its-own-thing neck profile and quick playability? Yes -- it's all that.

Mr. Twigg-Smith himself brought this guy and some other guitars over for consignment and each one has been fun and rewarding to dig-into. This Tele-style guitar is the current crowd-pleaser in the shop because it's quirky in all the right ways, different-enough to appeal, and has great tone. It's got a pair of Rio Grande pickups installed which give you the classic Tele sound and vibe and mated to the mahogany body, I feel like I'm playing an early-'70s true-blue Tele if I've got my eyes closed.

The neck's cut is slightly different, too, with a flatter-backed, slim-medium D profile which gets a bit of a "gypsy jazz," Selmer-style neck feel combined with maybe a late-'70s, early-'80s Fender neck feel. It's different from expectations but very comfortable and home-base at the same time. It gives interest to the guitar that wouldn't be there if it were a carbon copy of a Mexican Tele neck or something like it.

The modern, 6-saddle bridge is practical and easy to adjust and the controls and electronics are all good grade and functional. I swapped the white switch tip out for a '50s, black, bakelite knob I had hanging-around, though. I think this looks a fair bit more slick mixed with that fleshy/creamy-colored pickguard.

Work was just a glorified setup and now this instrument is playing fast and easy and it's ready to go.

Repairs included: a setup and minor adjustments.

Body wood: solid mahogany

Bridge: modern 6-saddle bridge

Fretboard: maple

Neck wood: 2-piece maple

Pickups: 1x Rio Grande Tele neck and 1x Rio Grande bridge

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 46w-10

Neck shape: slim-medium D

Board radius: ~12"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Body width: 12 3/4"

Body depth: 1 3/4"

Weight: 7 lbs 13 oz

Condition notes: it's essentially new but does have a little playwear/pickwear to the treble side of the strings on/around the pickguard and a few light scratches from mild use near the controls.

It comes with: a nice, tweed, hard case.