The Fender Telecaster

The Fender Telecaster a.k.a the Tele, is a dual pickup solid-body electric guitar made by Fender. Introduced in the autumn of 1949 as the Broadcaster it was the first kind of guitar to be mass produced, since 1949 the telecaster has been in production making it the world’s oldest solid body electric guitar. The Fender Telecaster was developed by Leo Fender himself in 1949, it was one of the first successful solid body electric guitars to be developed. The Gretsch company at the time claimed that the name ‘Broadcaster’ infringed trademark due to the similarity in name to their ‘BroadKaster’ range of drums, as a new comer to the industry Fender decided to bend and changed the name to Telecaster.

The Telecaster is known for its ability to produce a rich cutting tone or a mellow warm bluesy tone depending on the selected pickup, respectively "bridge" pickup or "neck" pickup. The bridge pickup has more windings and thus is able to give a much higher output.

In keeping with other models, Fender distinguishes product lines manufactured in different locations, for example a Telecaster made in America is known as a American where as those manufactured outside of America are known as Standards, or Classic models. Like the Fender Stratocaster many famous guitarists have used the Telecaster as their signature instrument. In the earlier days if drew players including Buck Owens, and Jerry Reed who played with such stars as Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, and Merle Haggard (a Signature Telecaster model player himself).Jimmy Page used a psychedelic-coloured 1958 Telecaster, on the first Led Zeppelin albums, and also for the lead solo in the 1971 song "Stairway to Heaven".

If you're after your own Fender Telecaster why not come into the store and give one a play? - The Guitar Lounge