This is a 1963 Fender Telecaster that is in the shop on consignment by the family of Robert Combest. The proceeds of the sale of the instrument will benefit Robert’s mother.

As we understand it, Robert was the original owner of this guitar. He played professionally in Colorado and later in San Antonio. Notably, in Colorado he played with with Pat Garrett and The Country Outlaws. He moved back to San Antonio in the early 1980s he performed with Billy Mata and other musicians.

The guitar has obviously been modified from it’s original factory specifications. However, we believe these modifications were done by Robert very early in his ownership of the guitar. In addition to stripping and refinishing the body of the instrument he also reshaped the guitar; he also added the humbucker pickup, what we believe to be a Gibson.

The bridge, bridge pickup, selector switch, tuning machines, and control plate are original. The pots have been changed, though what we understand to be the original pots are included in the case along with the original knobs. The neck is original, though it is relatively certain that it has been refretted at least once in the life of the guitar.

Relative to the pickups and electronics, the humbucker is functioning. We believe the bridge pickup to be good, too; however, there are some definite deficencies in the wiring of the controls. In order to preserve the instrument in its present state and enable any purchaser to do what he or she sees as appropriate, we are refraining from reworking the electronics. Should a buyer be interested and desire that we address the electronics, then that is something that can be undertaken through our repair shop. However, the instrument is sold “as-is.”

The guitar includes the pictured hard shell case which Robert used with the instrument. The family indicates that the original case was inadvertently discarded during the preparation of Robert’s home after his passing. We are pricing the instrument at $11,500 with the pictured case.

In addition to his 1963 Telecaster we also have in the store on consignment Robert’s 1963 Epiphone FT-45 Cortez.