The Fender Telecaster, commonly known as the “Tele”, is a one of the most legendary guitars ever played. It was the Fender Company’s first guitar to gain worldwide popularity and is still extremely popular today. Originally produced in the early 1950s and known as the Fender Broadcaster, the Telecaster was originally manufactured during an era where luthiers created the first wave of mass distributed electric guitars. 

The Telecasters basic features include a single cutaway slab with two control knobs, a three-position pickup toggle switch, three adjustable saddles and a bridge that anchors the strings through the guitar’s body. The Telecaster “Esquire” models, which are sold with both both single and dual pickups, were the first Telecasters sold. Over time Fender has made changes to the original design including adding Rosewood fingerboard and eight-screw pick guard and a “F” logo to the neck plate.

There are several different models and variations of the Telecaster.  Like most guitars, players can choose between various colors and types of wood. Uniquely, Fender designed the Tele with a removable or “bolt-on” neck, which is meant to be replaced rather than re-freted. This makes the Telecaster one of the most customizable guitars on the market.

Guitar players from different musical genre have used the Telecaster, however it is most commonly seen in the hands of   rock, jazz and country guitar players. Some of the well-known guitarist known to play a Tele include Bruce Springsteen, Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and John Lennon from The Beatles.

The Telecaster’s creates a full sound, which makes it a staple for  country and rock guitar player. While the base models of the Telecaster made by Fender are pricey, there are versions of the Telecaster, specifially the Squire, that are more suited for entry-level guitarists. 

Keep Rockin’!!!
Fender Telecaster Old Style by jmelchio taken on April 5, 2009
Bruce Springsteen by daMusic.be taken on December 13, 2007
Elvis Presley by Play-R taken on April 5, 2011
Mike McReady by Fernando Vega taken on December 7, 2005
Merle Haggard by whittlz taken on June 13, 2009
John Lennon by drinksmachine taken on September 26, 2007