Fender Telecaster

Invented by Leo Fender in Fullerton, California, and introduced as the “Broadcaster” in 1950, this is arguably the first commercial solidbody single-cutaway electric guitar ever mass produced — and it is still in production, and beloved, to this day. While specific woods and appointments have varied with year and with model, in general the “classic” Telecaster features an ash or alder body, a 6-in-line headstock atop a 25.5″-scale maple neck with a rosewood or maple fingerboard, a single-cutaway body, two single-coil pickups, a 3-saddle fixed bridge, shared tone and volume knobs, and a 3-way pickup selector switch. In general, Telecasters are known for the twangy, trebly sound from the bridge single-coil, and the more bluesy, mellow tone from the neck pickup. The Telecaster is revered to this day for its classic look and sound and is used in virtually every style of music where electric guitar is played.