Old gold: 1968 Fender Telecaster

(Image credit: Neil Godwin/Future)

Introduction

The Fender Telecaster, along with its Stratocaster sidekick, is among the best documented guitars in music history.

Based upon Fender’s single-pickup Esquire, production commenced at the dawn of the 1950s, the first models being called the Broadcaster.

Only a few hundred were made before it came to light that Gretsch owned the trademark and had been using it on part of its drum range since the 1920s.

As a result, the name was removed from the headstock in February 1951, but production continued while a new name was sought.

The models that left the factory during this time are fondly known to collectors as ‘No-casters’, but it wasn’t long before the word ‘Telecaster’ filled the blank space atop Leo Fender’s fledgling two-pickup solidbody, and it became poised to spring into guitar folklore forever.

Generally speaking, the Tele has remained pretty faithful to its original design over the years with many of the initial tweaks and modifications remaining hidden from sight.

As an example, the very first models had no routing between pickup cavities, screws were changed from slot to Phillips head, decals moved, and other minor nips and tucks were to follow, but the Telecaster’s basic essence remained pure throughout. A thoroughbred, two-pickup fireball that would eventually straddle the seemingly diverse worlds of blues, country, jazz and rock.

The 1968 model here may look Blonde at first glance, but we’re reliably informed that it was once Olympic White - a colour prone to yellowing as it ages.

Note how the fretboard wear is a virtual street map of the E minor pentatonic scale - rock ’n’ roll!

(Image credit: Neil Godwin/Future)

Body

Other minor nips and tucks were to follow, but the Telecaster’s basic essence remained pure throughout its history.

(Image credit: Neil Godwin/Future)

Headstock

It wasn’t long before the word ‘Telecaster’ filled the blank space atop Leo Fender’s solidbody.

(Image credit: Neil Godwin/Future)

Fretboard

Note how the fretboard wear is a virtual street map of the E minor pentatonic scale - rock ’n’ roll!

(Image credit: Neil Godwin/Future)

Finish

The 1968 model here may look Blonde at first glance, but we’re reliably informed that it was once Olympic White.