Meet "Darlene" - a stripped-back, no-nonsense E-Type that proves one exceptional pickup is all you really need.
Built around a lightweight ash body and finished in beautifully aged White Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer, Darlene is unapologetically simple. Every detail has been chosen to maximise resonance, responsiveness and dynamic expression, creating an instrument that feels alive beneath your hands.
At its heart is our hand-wound Timeless '56 bridge pickup, paired with the classic Eldred Mod wiring, unlocking three remarkably different voices from a single pickup. From sparkling country twang and raw rock 'n' roll bite to vocal, cocked-wah lead tones, Darlene delivers far more than her minimalist appearance suggests.
Body & Finish
A carefully selected two-piece lightweight ash body provides exceptional resonance, producing crisp attack, airy highs and remarkable dynamic response.
Finished in thin White Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer, the body displays subtle lacquer checking and sympathetic ageing that allows the ash grain to shine through while capturing the appearance of a well-loved vintage instrument.
The paper-thin finish allows the timber to breathe and resonate freely, rewarding every nuance of your playing.
Neck & Feel
The one-piece maple neck is carved to a comfortable soft V profile, offering reassuring support whether playing rhythm or lead.
Finished in lightly worn tinted nitrocellulose lacquer with gently rolled fingerboard edges, it feels instantly familiar from the very first chord.
Features include:
- Vintage-correct black dot markers
- 7.25-inch fingerboard radius
- 21 Jescar FW57110 jumbo frets
- Hand-cut bone nut
- Smooth, broken-in neck finish
The result is an instrument that blends vintage-inspired feel with effortless modern playability.
Timeless '56 Bridge Pickup
The Eternal Timeless '56 captures everything players love about a great mid-1950s bridge pickup.
Hand scatter-wound using 42 AWG Plain Enamel wire around staggered Alnico 5 magnets, it delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic touch response and unmistakable T-Type bite.
Expect:
- Tight, articulate bass
- Rich, vocal midrange
- Sparkling highs without harshness
- Outstanding note definition
- Exceptional sensitivity to pick attack and volume changes
Whether played clean or driven hard, the Timeless '56 remains lively, expressive and endlessly rewarding.
Eldred Mod Wiring
Darlene features the much-loved Eldred Mod, transforming a single-pickup guitar into an unexpectedly versatile instrument.
Position One
Bridge pickup with volume control only, bypassing the tone circuit for maximum output, immediacy and attack.
Position Two
Traditional volume and tone controls for classic E-Type versatility.
Position Three
A fixed capacitor preset that produces the famous "cocked wah" voice, perfect for vocal lead lines, gritty rhythm work and expressive blues.
Three distinct voices from one exceptional pickup.
Hardware & Electronics
Premium components are used throughout to maximise tone, stability and long-term reliability.
Rather than following strict vintage specification, Darlene features an Eternal top-loading ashtray bridge fitted with three knurled steel saddles. This deliberate design choice gives the guitar a slightly more elastic playing feel, a lively acoustic resonance and effortless string bending, while preserving the unmistakable attack and character of a classic E-Type.
Electronics include:
- Eternal Timeless '56 bridge pickup
- CTS® 250k brass-collar potentiometers
- Orange Drop® capacitor
- CRL® three-way selector switch
- Cloth-covered hook-up wire
- Switchcraft® output jack mounted in an Electrosocket®
Specifications
Body
- Two-piece lightweight ash
- Aged White Blonde nitrocellulose lacquer
Neck
- One-piece maple
- Soft V profile
- Neck depth: 22.7mm at 1st fret / 24.3mm at 12th fret
- 7.25-inch radius with rolled edges
- 21 × Jescar® FW57110 jumbo frets
- 42mm nut width
- Hand-cut bone nut
Hardware
- Vintage-style top-loading ashtray bridge
- Three knurled steel saddles
- Aged Gotoh® vintage-style split-post tuners
Electronics
- Eternal Timeless '56 bridge pickup
- Eldred Mod wiring
- CTS® 250k brass-collar potentiometers
- Orange Drop® capacitor
- CRL® three-way selector switch
- Cloth-covered wiring
- Switchcraft® output jack with Electrosocket®
Plastics
- One-ply aged white pickguard
Setup
Weight
Case
- Vintage-style hard case included
Honest Simplicity. Endless Expression.
The Eternal "Darlene" E-Type strips away everything that isn't essential, leaving nothing between the player and the music. Responsive, expressive and unapologetically direct, she captures the spirit of the earliest single-pickup designs while embracing thoughtful refinements that enhance feel and playability.
One pickup. Three voices. Endless inspiration.
Trademark Notice
Fender® and Telecaster® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
CTS® is a registered trademark of CTS Corporation. Switchcraft® is a registered trademark of Switchcraft, Inc. Jescar® is a registered trademark of Jescar GmbH & Co. KG. Gotoh® is a registered trademark of Gotoh Gakki Co., Ltd. Electrosocket® is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Ernie Ball® is a registered trademark of Ernie Ball, Inc.
These trademarks are used solely to describe compatibility, historical reference or fitted components. Eternal Guitars is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation or any other trademark owner.
