The Telecaster has also been a long-time favorite guitar for hot-rod customizing. Several variants of the guitar appeared throughout the years with a wide assortment of pickup configurations, such as a humbucker in the neck position, three single-coil pickups and even dual humbuckers with special wiring schemes. Fender offered hot-rodded Teles with such pickup configurations, the US Fat andNashville B-Bender Telecasters around 1998. The Deluxe Blackout Tele was also equipped with 3 single-coil pickups, a "Strat-o-Tele" selector switch and a smaller headstock than a standard Telecaster. The most common variants of the standard two-pickup solid body Telecaster are the semi-hollow Thinline, the twin-humbucker Deluxe—and the Custom, which replaced the neck single coil-pickup with a humbucking pickup. The Custom and Deluxe were introduced during the CBS period and are still offered.
Telecaster Thinline
A semi-hollow thinline version appeared in 1968/69, designed by German guitar maker
Roger Rossmeisl. Today two versions of the Thinline are available, the '69 version has two standard Telecaster pickups and a mahogany body, while the '72 version, based on the Fender Telecaster Deluxe, yields two
Fender Wide Range pickups and a solid natural swamp ash body. In 2011, Fender released the Modern Player Telecaster Thinline as a part of the Modern Player series. The guitar features two MP-90 pickups, similar to the Gibson
P-90.
Telecaster Deluxe
This model includes two
Fender Wide Range humbucking pickups and was originally produced from 1972 to 1981 and have since then been reissued. The Tele Deluxe sported a large headstock similar to the
Stratocaster, maple neck and a contoured body, as well as a tremolo bridge option on models manufactured after 1973/74.
Telecaster Custom
The Tele Custom was popularized by
Rolling Stones' guitarist and composer
Keith Richards since its introduction in the early 1970s, featuring a
Fender Wide Range humbucker in the neck position and a single-coil pickup in the bridge. The market generally refers to the guitar as the "1972 Custom", indicating the year this model was originally released.
Telecaster Plus
Designed to restore Fender's reputation after a group of employees led by
William C. Schultz took over ownership from CBS in the early 1980s. The pickups used in early models were dual humbucking Red Lace Sensors in the bridge position and a single Blue Lace Sensor in the neck position. Later models (post 1994 or so) used three Gold Lace Sensors or a Red/Silver/Blue set in a Strat-like configuration, as well as low-friction roller nuts, locking synchronized vibrato bridge and tuners, and a bound contoured alder body with ash veneers. These instruments were discontinued in 1998 with the advent of the
American Deluxe series. In 2011 Fender released the Modern Player Telecaster Plus as a part of the Modern Player series. The guitar has a humbucker in the bridge, a Strat pickup in the middle, and a Tele pickup in the neck positions.
Tele Jr.
The Fender Tele Jr. is a variant of the Fender Telecaster electric guitar that the
Fender Custom Shop produced in a limited run of 100 units in the early 1990s. It uses a Telecaster body shape, scale length, and electronics controls (albeit, with a reversed control plate). However, many of its construction and electronic features—for example its
set-in neck and
P-90-style pickups—are similar to those of a
Gibson Les Paul Junior(hence the name)and
Gibson Les Paul Special electric guitars.
J5 Triple Tele Deluxe
The Triple Tele Deluxe is
Marilyn Manson and
Rob Zombie guitarist
John5's signature model. It is similar to the regular Telecaster Deluxe, but it features three Fender "Enforcer" humbuckers and a chrome pickguard.
In keeping with other models Fender distinguishes product lines manufactured in different locations.
- The moderately-priced Standard, Classic and Deluxe Telecaster models are manufactured in Mexico, Japan and Korea. Each of these instruments has a feature set that makes them more affordable.
- The American Standard, American Vintage, American Deluxe, Special Edition and Highway One model lines are manufactured in the United States.
The American Deluxe Telecaster (introduced in 1998; upgraded in 2004, 2008, and 2010) features a pair of Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups and the S-1 switching system. Models made prior to 2004 featured two Fender Vintage Noiseless Tele single-coils, Fender/Fishman Powerbridge piezo system and 4-bolt neck fixing. Other refinements include a bound contoured alder or ash body and an abalone dot-inlaid maple neck with rosewood or maple fingerboard, 22 medium-jumbo frets, rolled fingerboard edges, and highly detailed nut and fret work. The HH model sported an ebony fingerboard, quilted or flamed maple top and a pair of Enforcer humbuckers with S-1 switching (discontinued as of 2008). As of March 23, 2010, Fender updated the American Deluxe Telecaster with a compound radius maple neck, N3 Noiseless Tele pickups and a reconfigured S-1 switching system for wider sonic possibilities. The new model now sports staggered, locking tuning machines, which provide better break angle over the nut for increased sustain and improved tuning stability.
The American Series model uses two single-coil pickups with DeltaTone system (featuring a high output bridge pickup and a reverse-wound neck pickup). Other features include a parchment pickguard, non-veneered alder or ash bodies and rolled fingerboard edges. Telecasters with a humbucking/single coil pickup arrangement, and with two humbucking pickups, Enforcer humbucking pickups, and S-1 switching which debuted in 2003 and were discontinued in 2007. As of 2008, all American Standard Telecasters came with a redesigned Tele bridge with vintage-style bent steel saddles. In March 2012 the American Standard Telecaster was been updated with Custom Shop pickups (Broadcaster in the bridge, Twisted in the neck); the body is now contoured for reduced weight and more comfort.
The
American Nashville B-Bender guitar is modeled after the personally customized instruments of some of Nashville's top players, featuring a Fender/Parsons/Green
B-Bender system, two American Tele single-coils (neck, bridge), a Texas Special Strat single-coil (middle) and five-way "Strat-O-Tele" pickup switching. Ideal for country bends and steel guitar glisses, this Tele is available only with a maple fingerboard.
The American Series Ash Telecaster is based on the '52 vintage reissue. It features an ash body, one-piece maple neck/fingerboard with 22 frets and two Modern Vintage Tele single-coil pickups. Fender discontinued this guitar in 2006.
The Custom Classic Telecaster was the Custom Shop version of the American Series Tele, featuring a pair of Classic and Twisted single-coils in the bridge and neck positions, as well as a reverse control plate. Earlier versions made before 2003 featured an American Tele single-coil paired with two Texas Special Strat pickups and 5-way switching. Discontinued in 2009 and replaced by the Custom Deluxe Telecaster series models.
The Highway One Telecaster (introduced in 2003) features a pair of distortion-friendly Alnico III single-coils, super-sized frets, Greasebucket circuit and 1970s styling (since 2006). The Texas Telecaster sports a 1-piece maple neck/fretboard with a modern 12” radius and 22 jumbo frets, solid ash body and a pair of Hot Vintage pickups.
In 2010, the American Special Telecaster was introduced. While retaining such features from the Highway One as jumbo frets, Greasebucket tone circuit and 1970s logo, the American Special also includes some upgrades such as a glossy urethane finish, compensated brass 3-saddle bridge and Texas Special pickups.
The
Squier Telecaster was introduced in 1982 as an entry level version of the Telecaster It is similar to a Telecaster. The Affinity Series guitars are marketed for entry level guitarists, while the Classic Vibe, Vintage Modified and Standard Series are better quality guitars.
In September 2010, Fender introduced the Mexican-made Black Top Telecaster HH, featuring dual hot vintage alnico humbucking pickups, a one-piece maple neck with rosewood or maple fretboard and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Other features include a solid contoured alder body, a reversed control assembly and black skirted amp control knobs.
In 2011, Fender released the Modern Player series, which featured the Modern Player Telecaster Thinline and the Modern Player Telecaster Plus.
The Telecaster was important in the evolution of
country, electric
blues,
funk,
rock and roll, and other forms of
popular music. Its solid construction let guitarists play loudly as a lead instrument, with long sustain if desired. It produced less of the uncontrolled, whistling, 'hard'
feedback ('microphonic feedback') that hollowbodied instruments tend to produce at volume (different from the controllable feedback later explored by
Pete Townshend and countless other players). Even though the Telecaster is more than half a century old, and more sophisticated designs have appeared since the early 1950s (including
Fender's own Stratocaster), the Telecaster remains in production. There have been numerous variations and modifications, but a model with something close to the original features has always been available.
- SIGNATURE TELECASTER MODELS
Over the years, many guitarists have made the Telecaster their signature instrument. In the early days, country
session musicians were drawn to this instrument designed for the "working musician". These included The King of the Teli Roy Buchanan ,
Buck Owens, Guthrie Thomas,
Waylon Jennings,
James Burton who played with
Ricky Nelson,
Elvis Presley, and
Merle Haggard (a Signature Telecaster model player himself). Burton's favorite guitar was his Pink Paisley (or
Paisley Red[4]) model Telecaster. Later,
Danny Gatton blended diverse musical styles (including blues, rockabilly and bebop) and became known as the "telemaster".
Eric Claptonused a Telecaster during his stint with
The Yardbirds, and also played a custom Telecaster fitted with
Brownie's neck while with
Blind Faith.
Roy Buchanan and
Albert Collins proved the Telecaster equally suited for playing the blues.
Muddy Waters also consistently used the Telecaster and
Mike Bloomfield also used the guitar on his earlier works. Soul sessionist
Steve Cropper used a Tele with
Booker T. and the M.G.'s,
Sam and Dave,
Otis Redding and countless other soul and blues acts.
Additionally,
George Harrison used a custom-built rosewood Telecaster during the recording sessions for
The Beatles'
Let It Be album (including the
rooftop concert), played through a
Leslie speaker.
Pearl Jam singer and guitarist
Eddie Vedder has been known to use a custom black Telecaster with a white pickguard containing a black arrow decal pointing towards a target design under the strings. Guitar virtuoso
Chet Atkins, known for the variety of acoustic and electric guitars that he used, occasionally played a Telecaster in his duets with
Jerry Reed.
With the development of rock, the Tele inspired and sustained yet another genre.
Keith Richards of
the Rolling Stones has composed many classic riffs on his battered "Micawber" Tele. Iconic are also worn-off green and respectively white Telecasters of the two frontmen of
Status Quo,
Francis Rossi and
Rick Parfitt. Another signature Telecaster player is
Andy Summers of
The Police.
Jimmy Page used a psychedelic-coloured 1958 Telecaster, (painted by Page himself, and also known as the "Dragon Telecaster") on the first
Led Zeppelinalbums, and also for the lead solo in the 1971 song "
Stairway to Heaven". The guitar had been given to Page by his friend
Jeff Beck,
[6]but by the time of Led Zeppelin's
fourth album, on which
Stairway to Heaven appears, Page had begun using various Gibson electric guitars, so his use of the Telecaster was considered unusual.
Bruce Springsteen used a custom Telecaster (with an Esquire neck) off and on throughout his career, both solo and with the
E Street Band.
David Knopfler, rhythm guitarist from
Dire Straits played a sunburst custom Fender Telecaster with white ribboning when with the band.
Albert Lee's extensive use of the Telecaster earned him the nickname of "Mr. Telecaster".
Hugh Cornwell of
The Stranglers has used Telecasters throughout his career.
Joe Strummer (frontman of the punk band
The Clash) used his worn and battered 1966 Telecaster (originally Sunburst but spray painted black) with its distinctive "Ignore Alien Orders" sticker from the beginning of his musical career until the day he died. In January 2007, Fender issued the
G. E. Smith signature Telecaster in honour of Smith's reputation as a modern master of the Telecaster. G.E. Smith was the lead guitarist in the
Hall & Oates band and the musical director of
Saturday Night Live. Tom Morello of "Rage Against The Machine" plays a black American Telecaster called "
Sendero Luminoso" (Shining Path) for songs in drop-D tuning.
Jim Root from
Slipknot had a signature Telecaster released in 2009.
Prince plays a Telecaster in the opening scene of his film,
Purple Rain. Singer and Songwriter
Jeff Buckley (Son of musician
Tim Buckley) played an American Telecaster throughout his career. Lynval Golding, one of the guitarists for 2-Tone band The Specials, used a yellow telecaster throughout his time as a Special.
Jonny Greenwood, lead guitarist of
Radiohead uses a Telecaster Plus model with lace sensor pickups as his main guitar. British singer and guitar player
Anna Calvi exclusively plays a Telecaster through a Vox AC30.
Danny Jones, of
McFly, uses a Telecaster Vintage '52.
Deryck Whibley (frontman and guitarist of the band
Sum 41) uses his own signature
Telecaster Deluxe, issued in 2005. It features one knob for volume and tone, a single
humbucker pickup near the synchronized six-saddle bridge and without the traditional pickup selector switch.
holes, like a violin family instrument). This sound mixes with the sound produced by the front face of the soundboard. All these complex air coupling interactions, along with the resonant properties of the panels, are a key reason that different guitars will have different tonal qualities. The sound is a complex mixture of harmonics that give the guitar its distinctive sound.
holes, like a violin family instrument). This sound mixes with the sound produced by the front face of the soundboard. All these complex air coupling interactions, along with the resonant properties of the panels, are a key reason that different guitars will have different tonal qualities. The sound is a complex mixture of harmonics that give the guitar its distinctive sound.
