The Shakey-Caster: "A testament to one of my heroes"

The Shakey-Caster by Gavin Fraser

If you're a guitar tech-head, then here's something you might find interestin'-- The Shakey-Caster. The Shakey-Caster is a customized Telecaster guitar modified to replicate Neil Young's Ol' Black sound.

From TeleModders: Profiles and Modifications:

Anyway, that's enough about me and leads me nicely onto my modded Tele, the Shakey-Caster! As I mentioned I am a big fan of Neil Young and have always loved the look and sound of his main axe, "Old Black". I have however also been a Tele owner and advocate since my very first electric guitar, and so it came to me over several months consideration that it would be very cool to combine elements of Old Black with a Telecaster and so create a new and unique guitar that is both a testament to one of my heroes, but which would also help me shape my own sound. This guitar is the Shakey-Caster.

After some consideration I decided upon using a Fender Telecaster Deluxe '72 RI as the base guitar. This obviously has the advantages of having a similar control layout to a Les Paul with separate controls for the neck and bridge pickup. This offered me the same control as Mr. Young's guitar and also provides a "nod" stylistically too. I decided against a black model as I thought it would be too similar and I wanted my own guitar. I had also fancied a guitar in sunburst for quite a while.

Thanks Gavin! Nice job!

More on Gavin's Shakey Caster.

Also, see more on how Neil Young gets that unique guitar sound that has been likened to a "jet plane in a thunderstorm" and "falling power lines".