When Merle Haggard saw Johnny Cash perform at his legendary Folsom Prison concert, where Haggard was an inmate for a series of escalating crimes, he knew where he was headed with his life: away from petty crime to a career as one of the most respected and long-performing country artists of all time.

This Telecaster, made by Fender early in the oughts as a tribute to Merle, features an interesting feature for a Telecaster, a gorgeous flamed maple through neck flanked by two alder wings, for a light yet resonant Telecaster that is as unique as the player its based off.

A flame maple cap is topped off by Tele Deluxe style binding, for a sleek, beautiful look.

The pickups are the venerable Texas Specials, a favorite of country and blues players, along with a 4-way blade switch with an extra parallel middle position.

A little “Tuff Dog” resides inlaid into the headstock, a nice little touch, along with Merle’s signature.

Great shape, barely a mark on it.

Comes with the original hard shell case.