Fender's Telecaster guitar, one of the first-ever real solid-body electric guitars, stood out right away as having something exceptional about it. When Leo Fender initially introduced it in the fall of 1950, it was an immediate success with guitarists. Since then, it has never been out of production and is now one of the most well-known and recognisable guitars in the world.
Regardless of the type of musician you are, playing an electric telecaster guitar will be a lot of fun. Considering the fact that the Telecaster is one of the world's most iconic electric guitars, a wide choice of models is available within the range. This means, whether you're a beginner or a professional electric guitar player, you find some tempting electric Telecaster guitar options to choose from.
Here are some great reasons why you should own a "Tele".
Unique Design
Since its introduction more than 50 years ago, the Telecaster has been a hit among guitarists thanks to its simple, no-frills design. Although Fender has experimented with some changes to the traditional Telecaster body shape over the years, including a brief period of time with a 'notch-less' design where the upper bout of the body met the neck at a much flatter angle, the beloved Telecaster body shape has remained largely unchanged since Leo Fender himself created the very first model.
Sound Quality
Although the Telecaster's design is unique, the sound is what really defines it. Any skilled musician can identify a Telecaster just by the way it sounds. Numerous great records throughout the years have featured the neck pickup's rich, silky tone and the bridge pickup's distinctive twang of these guitars, making them a true piece of musical history.
Durability
Instruments from the archtop and acoustic eras frequently broke down due to travel and environmental damage. Because of this, they were challenging to tune, considerably more challenging to intonate, and very prone to inadvertent breakage at inconvenient moments. The Telecaster helped the electric guitar enter a new era of popularity with its solid slab body, changeable bolt-on neck, and two-way adjustable bridge saddles.
Versatility
Many guitars make the claim to be a one-stop shop, but only a Tele can truly transition from country to jazz with a stopover in blues, classic rock, and politically motivated rap metal.
Amplifiability
With their conventional acoustic-archtop instruments, guitarists of the bebop era found it challenging to compete with the volume of a drum kit or the boom of a full horn section. To counter this, Fender created a guitar body out of a solid piece of pinewood and attached a magnetic pickup from one of his lap steel guitars to it. This allowed the guitar to be amplified from the stage without the note bleed and feedback problems common to older versions when used in conjunction with his TV-front Tweed amps. For improved note separation, Fender also gave each string its own magnetic pole piece. Players could balance the bass and treble sides of their instrument using a screw-controlled pivot mechanism to create a unique sound. These ideas eventually led to the development of the Telecaster we know today.
Vintage Vibe
Telecaster electric guitars aren't considered modern. Instead, they are compared to a 'fine wine" that gets better each year. In the last years, bands have been craving a vintage vibe tonally and visually. Nothing will give your music a more retro feel than a Telecaster.
Top Picks
Fender Player Telecaster
The Player Series by Fender captures everything that makes Fender Telecaster guitars so well-liked. It lives up to the standards of excellence and simplicity that characterise this guitar brand.
The classic pairing of the bolt-on maple neck and gloss-finished alder body produces tonnes of the recognisable Telecaster "twang." The Player series single-coils maintain that instantly recognisable tone while being somewhat hotter wound to keep things current.
The 'Modern C' neck profile is built for comfort and performance. Instead of the customary 21 frets, it has 22 frets, which may be problematic. However, the Player Telecaster wasn't made to follow the regulations. It is available for those who seek a brand-new experience on a traditional, straightforward workhorse guitar.
Fender Professional Telecaster
While maintaining fidelity to the original design, the Professional II series updates the Fender Telecaster. Its new "ashtray" bridge, which is angled better for the picking hand, and its Treble Bleed circuit, which maintains the high end when your guitar volume is turned down, are just two little modifications that can make a world of difference.
In terms of design, the Deep C neck lies halfway between a Modern C and a U, and when combined with the thin, tall frets, it provides more grasp and control. The 'Super-Natural' satin finish and finely rolled fretboard edges add to the overall comfort of the instrument.
To allow for easy access to the top frets, the neck heel has been cautiously removed. The Pro II line from Fender stands out for its small but significant details like these. It's one of the top picks because of all of these minor upgrades and tweaks that don't detract from the classic guitar's looks.