THE PATH TO THE LOST PAISLEY

Biscuits and gravy, October and baseball, Brad Paisley and a Telecaster – some things just go together. With more than 50 songs on the Billboard country charts and an IMDB page that’s seemingly a mile long, the Tele® icon is always a joy to work with. Come along as we find the “Lost Paisley” and look back on some of our favorite Brad Paisley collaborations over the years.

“From the very beginning this pattern has been following me. From the moment I was born, when they wrote my last name on the birth certificate.” Brad Paisley reflects on the game of cat and mouse he and the “Lost Paisley” Telecaster have been running. 

Seemingly endless twists and turns, the unbelievable-but-true “Lost Paisley” story makes for an exhilarating thriller. With chance encounters and a band of Tele devotees coming together across thousands of miles to resurrect the blue paisley Cling-Foil and bring this mysterious guitar to life. Get the inside scoop on how Ole Pink and La Brea came into Paisley’s life, a guest appearance from Fender’s own Tim Shaw and more. This story is a must watch for any Telecaster fan.

When Fender wanted to celebrate the Telecaster’s 60th anniversary, there was no doubt Brad Paisley had to be involved. He brought along Ole Pink, his beloved 1968 paisley Tele he found at the Arlington Guitar Show. It was his first paisley guitar and can be heard on fan-favorite tracks throughout his career. 

He gets into where his love of Telecasters comes from and what it was like recording “Cluster Pluck” with his Tele heroes–including the man who made paisley guitars cool, James Burton. “Most of my uptempo hits were written as much for this [Telecaster] as because of this.” From “American Saturday Night” to “Ticks,” the Tele influences his playing and songwriting. “There’s so many times I’ll write a song and think about where this instrument is going to find its place and poke through and sort of lead the band.”

“We’re gonna have a blast! You ready?” For the Brad Paisley Road Worn® Telecaster in silver sparkle (now available in black sparkle) we visited Brad on the road to capture it in action under the stage lights. With all the charm and energy of a seasoned ringleader in a 3-ring circus, Paisley kicked off the show and the video for his signature guitar. 

Based on his ‘63 Tele, he was involved in every detail, from the wood used to the shape of the neck and beyond. The most exciting part of having a signature for him was sharing music with others. “I can’t wait to see what people do with this instrument.” He went on to discuss how important an approachable guitar is and not wanting his signature locked away, out of reach in shops. “This isn’t sensitive, it’s a Telecaster. It’s a cutting board with a neck.”

What is it about that Brad Paisley Esquire®? Is it the sparkling coal-black finish, the secret Seymour Duncan® neck pickup hidden under the pickguard? Maybe it’s both. Paisley takes it for a spin, tells us his favorite specs and explains why he wanted to make an Esquire. We talk about his influences and how he keeps an echo of the past alive in everything he does. 

He showed us how that hidden pickup unlocks things you’d never be able to pull off on any other Esquire. And of course, he talks about that shimmering black finish. “This looks like you’ve been mining for coal with this. It looks like it’s half diamonds, half coal on this thing. There’s something country about this… and it sparkles under the lights, so you can’t ask for more than that.” 

Learn more about the Brad Paisley Esquire and get one for yourself here.