The Guitar Player's Resource
'51 Nocaster in Emerald Green: When Scissors Created Legend. What happens when vintage blues obsession meets modern technical mastery? You get Joe Bonamassa territory - an instrument that understands his philosophy of channeling the masters while pushing the boundaries of what contemporary blues guitar can achieve.
Sometimes the best guitar stories start with pure accident. Picture this: Leo Fender's got a lawsuit threat from Gretsch over his "Broadcaster" name, so what does he do? Grabs a pair of scissors, cuts the name right off the headstock decal, and keeps shipping guitars. Those nameless beauties became "Nocasters" to collectors, and now they're some of the most coveted vintage pieces on the planet.
This Custom Shop recreation captures that accidental magic in stunning Emerald Green Transparent - a finish that screams "New Old Stock" authenticity while delivering serious visual impact under stage lights. But here's where it gets interesting: they didn't just copy the vintage specs blindly.
That 10/56 "V"-shaped quartersawn AA flame maple neck gives you authentic fifties feel with enough substance for serious grip strength. Whether you're thumb-wrapping blues bends or chicken-pickin' country licks, this neck adapts to your playing style instead of fighting it. The modern 9.5-inch radius fingerboard transforms vintage comfort into something genuinely playable for today's techniques.
But the real magic lives in those hand-wound "Loaded" '51 Nocaster pickups. These aren't just period-correct - they're dialed in for that crystalline Telecaster bite with enough warmth to handle everything from clean jazz chords to overdriven blues solos. The Fat '50s wiring adds midrange thickness that modern circuits sometimes miss.
At 7 pounds, 2.3 ounces, this Nocaster won't leave you with a sore shoulder after marathon sessions. Those brass saddles on the '51-'54 bridge provide just the right amount of resonance transfer, while the bone nut adds organic harmonics that plastic simply can't match.
What you're holding here isn't just a recreation - it's archaeological evidence of how legal problems accidentally created legendary tone.
Finish Package - New Old Stock
Color - Emerald Green Transparent
Weight - 7 lbs 2.3 ozs
Fingerboard Radius - 9.5"
Back Shape - 10/56 "V"
Nut - Bone
Body & Neck Finish - Nitro Lacquer
Pickups - Hand Wound Loaded 51 Nocaster
Control Assembly - Fat 50s Tele
