Homer Haynes and Jethro Burns were an immensely successful duo whose act combined comedy and country music.

In the late 1950s, Haynes began using a custom 1957 Strat with an all-gold finish; three decades later, it was decided that the Fender Custom Shop should issue 300 replicas of it.

The ensuing HLE (Haynes Limited Edition) was later increased to a run of 500 guitars. Each guitar has an individual number with the Fender Custom Shop logo on it.