Released in 1950, the Telecaster was Fender's first electric guitar and was also the first solid body electric guitar to be mass produced after other companies had tried, and failed, to come up with an effective and easily reproduced design.
Having produced pickups to fit to acoustic guitars for players looking to amplify their sound, Leo Fender then incorporated them into a thin, solid body guitar. This new instrument became the Telecaster and created a new type of sound not heard before, with increased sustain and a clear tone. Made with ash, alder or poplar woods, the Telecaster's body has a single cutaway with a bolt-on maple neck, which usually features a maple or rosewood fingerboard.
The Telecaster was initially favoured by country guitarists for its rich, bright tone, but it has since been used by players of all styles, including Albert Lee, Jimmy Page, Prince and Bruce Springsteen. It also helped to create the British indie sound of the 2000s, due to its use by bands such as Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and Editors. Originally fitted with two single-coil pickups, Fender have since released variations with humbucker and P-90 pickups, as well as Tele's with a semi-hollow 'thinline' body or S1 pickup switching system for a wider variety of tonal possibilities.
We're confident you'll find the ideal guitar to suit your style and budget from the fantastic selection of Fender and Squier Telecasters that we stock.