The Fender Custom Shop's 1953 Heavy Relic Telecaster is loaded with a pair of hand-wound Fender Custom Shop single-coil pickups (a Twisted Tele in the neck position, and an Original Black Guard at the bridge) that deliver all the legendary Tele chunk, twang, and bite of a vintage '53 Telecaster.
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What year is my 1953 Fender Telecaster?
Serial number range for the 1952 and 1953 Fender Telecaster are generally 0100 to 5500 (stamped into the bridge plate). If you need to figure out the exact year of your pre-CBS Fender Nocaster or Telecaster, use the serial number and the general features of the guitar.
What are the specs of a Chevy Telecaster in 1952?
1952 Telecaster specs: The lead pickup no longer has the two notches in the black pickup base for the winding wires. Gradual use of phillips head screws replaces slot head screws (this change was not complete till 1953). Knurled chrome plated brass knobs with a round top. Late 1952: pressed jack cup replaced milled jack cup.
What was the original name of the Telecaster?
The first version was called the Esquire. The second version was briefly called the Broadcaster, then “NoCaster” and finally, Telecaster, in homage to the the primary broadcast technologies of the day – television and radio. CHECK! Today, an original Tele thermometer case can add $2,000 to $3,000 in value. Bruce Springsteen: Ken Settle.
How big is a 1950s Telecaster body?
And when it debuted at the July, 1950, NAMM show it carried the name “Esquire.” 5) The ’50s Telecaster body is made of ash and measures 12 5 / 8 ” wide at the lower bout, 16″ long, and 1 3 / 4 ” deep.
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What is the dot spacing on a 1953 Telecaster?
On 1953 and later models, the dot spacing is about 1 1/8" center to center. New wiring on a Telecaster. (Note the wiring change was late 1952.) That is, the 3 position switch forward position was the neck pickup with a "woof tone" capacitor (no tone adjustment.) Middle switch position was the neck pickup with the tone knob implemented.
How far apart are the dots on a 1953 Telecaster?
1953 Telecaster specs: Neck fingerboard dots change spacing. On pre-1953 models, dots are about 1" (center to center) apart at the 12th fret.
What are the features of a vintage Fender guitar?
Originality and condition are the two most important features of a vintage Fender guitar, and Fender Telecaster, Nocaster, Broadcaster, and Esquires (Teles) do seem to have been easily modified (due to their "bolt together" nature).
Where is the serial number on a Fender Nocaster?
The serial number is located on the bridge until mid-1954, when it was moved to the back metal neck plate.
What is the most popular electric guitar?
General Comments: The Fender Telecaster guitar is one of the most popular solidbody electric guitar ever made, and is the solidbody guitar that started it all. Early models (pre-1965, known as "pre-CBS" models, since CBS bought Fender in January 1965) are the most collectible.
How far apart are the dots on a 1953 Telecaster?
1953 Telecaster specs: Neck fingerboard dots change spacing. On pre-1953 models, dots are about 1" (center to center) apart at the 12th fret.
Where is the serial number on a Fender Nocaster?
The serial number is located on the bridge until mid-1954, when it was moved to the back metal neck plate.
What is the most popular electric guitar?
General Comments: The Fender Telecaster guitar is one of the most popular solidbody electric guitar ever made, and is the solidbody guitar that started it all. Early models (pre-1965, known as "pre-CBS" models, since CBS bought Fender in January 1965) are the most collectible.
What are the features of a vintage Fender guitar?
Originality and condition are the two most important features of a vintage Fender guitar, and Fender Telecaster, Nocaster, Broadcaster, and Esquires (Teles) do seem to have been easily modified (due to their "bolt together" nature).
Is the Fender Telecaster original?
1953 Fender Telecaster. This guitar does have some issues, and is not completely original. First the rectangle tweed case shown with the guitar from 1959. The pots and tone cap is not original, and the metal tone knob is not original. The biggest issue though is the fingerboard.
What is a 50s telecaster made of?
5) The ’50s Telecaster body is made of ash and measures 12 5 / 8 ” wide at the lower bout, 16″ long, and 1 3 / 4 ” deep. CHECK! Wear should be consistent with that on the neck and fretboard.
Why was the Nocaster guitar called the Broadcaster?
Later that summer, the guitar was introduced to the market as the “Broadcaster,” in tribute to the radio – the means by which most of its notes would supposedly be heard. It listed for $169.95. But soon after, Gretsch asked Fender to drop the name because it had been granted a trademark for its use on drums. Fender abided, and from February until August of ’51, finishers clipped the word “Broadcaster” from headstock decals. Thus was born the “Nocaster,” a name never adopted by Fender, but well-known amongst vintage guitar enthusiasts. The final burst of inspiration came when Leo borrowed a name from the television – the cutting-edge broadcast technology of the day.
What is a Nocaster guitar?
Thus was born the “Nocaster,” a name never adopted by Fender, but well-known amongst vintage guitar enthusiasts. The final burst of inspiration came when Leo borrowed a name from the television – the cutting-edge broadcast technology of the day. The guitar surprised naysayers by selling well in its first few years.
When was the first Leo guitar made?
Work on Leo’s first guitar began in late 1949. The shape was “designed” by George Fullerton, who Leo had hired to help repair amps and lap steels. And his concept has been maintained since its inception – a prototype made in ’49 looks very much like any Tele from any era, save for its lapsteel-like headstock. And when it debuted at the July, 1950, NAMM show it carried the name “Esquire.”
Did the Solidbody guitar sell well?
The guitar surprised naysayers by selling well in its first few years. And shortly thereafter, the solidbody guitar took flight as other companies jumped into the fray.
