Don Rich, Buck Owens & the Telecaster That Vanished
In this episode, Joe Spann and I dive deep into the legacy of Don Rich and one of the most fascinating lost instruments in Fender history, his 1964 Gold Sparkle Fender Custom Telecaster.
Joe breaks down exactly how Fender created the Gold Sparkle finish using crushed mirror material, why it was so visually striking under stage lights, and how unusual the process was for the era. We also discuss the many Buck Owens hits Don Rich recorded while using this Telecaster, and how central it was to his tone, image, and the Bakersfield sound.
Finally, we explore the leading theories behind how the…
The skinny
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