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The Fender Telecaster: A Signature Sound Never Goes Out Of Style

A lot of words can describe the Fender Telecaster, but the one most fans of the guitar would agree on is “iconic.” Artists as diverse as Muddy Waters and Chrissie Hynde have made the tele their instrument of choice, bringing its characteristic tone to all kinds of musical genres.

The Telecaster was Fender’s first wildly popular guitar, with its rough-around-the-edges quality that both amateurs and professionals rave passionately about. But its workmanlike qualities complement a sound that’s been described as “ringing,” “chiming,” “gritty,” “crisp” and “sparkling.”

The tele’s distinct sound comes from the humbucking pickup patented by Seth Lover — then, at Gibson — who was hired by Fender Guitars in 1967. He re-designed the pickup to produce a brighter tone, setting it apart from his earlier efforts. In 1970, a pair of these humbuckers were used on the revamped semi-hollow Telecaster Thinline, and one was used on the solid-body Telecaster Custom in 1972.

Missing was a solid-body tele with dual humbuckers. That changed with the 1973 introduction of the Telecaster Deluxe, billed as the line’s top model, at a list price of $399.50. Though it was definitely a member of the Telecaster family by body shape alone, changes in the model made it an example of great design in the 20th century. The guitar incorporated some of its sibling Stratocaster look, including the addition of a large Strat-style headstock and a Strat-style body contour. It also featured a pair of the Wide Range humbucking pickups developed by Seth Lover, and the pickguard-mounted toggle control switch layout of the Telecaster Custom.

Like the other two Telecaster models equipped with two humbucker pickups, the Deluxe wasn’t embraced by guitarists, and was discontinued in 1981.

But like so many iconic items, the public — and a new wave of guitarists hungering for a salt-of-the-earth instrument — once again embraced the Telecaster in the 1990s and 2000s. Fender didn’t hesitate to begin manufacturing a new generation of teles, dominated by the Telecaster Deluxe variations, now produced in Mexico. These included Fender’s re-issue of the ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe, rolled out in 2004. Three variations were re-issued in 2009, and Fender’s value brand Squier, also offers Telecasters based on the Deluxe.

Today’s tele popularity is partially due to players who consider it to be one of the few guitars that actually do improve with use. And because the Telecaster fits the human body so well, it’s a top pick for today’s guitarists. The Telecaster might be a gloriously simple, no-frills instrument, but it’s once again regarded as one of the finest electric guitars ever produced.

It’s been described as indestructible. Some call it their instrument of choice. That’s because the Fender Telecaster originals and re-issues are responsible for a distinctive sound that still rolls through the diverse styles of country, jazz, blues and rock-and-roll guitarists. Judging by amateurs and pros, Fender Guitars has managed to re-invent an object that doesn’t look or sound outdated. The Telecaster, despite a temporary dip in sales during the 1980s, has once again proven why it’s a musical icon. Its beautiful sound is music to players’ — and listeners’ ears.

If you’re looking to pick up your own Fender Telecaster Deluxe why not contact the Guitar Lounge for more information, its Fender heaven

About the Author

The Guitar Lounge opened in 2009 and is Australia’s only dedicated Fender store. Located in the heart of Sydney we stock all the Fender, Gretsch, Guild & Jackson guitars you’ll ever need!