Posted on November 26, 21 by Rod Brakes (Guitarist)

Custom Telecaster or Telecaster Custom? We have eliminated the confusion about TV programs in the CBS era...

Since the basic design went on the market in 1950, Telecaster has appeared in many different forms. Fender's first solid electric guitar, the single (bridge) pickup Esquire, was introduced in the spring of 1950, and the strange double pickup Esquire was made that summer. 

In the fall of 1950, Fender decided to launch these dual-pickup instruments separately as Broadcasters, although they were renamed Telecasters in early 1951 after a divergence with the Gretsch trademark. This landmark electric guitar is now celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Telecaster continued to develop throughout the 1950s, transitioning from the original Blackguard paint in 1954 to lighter gold finishes and white guards. The biggest change of this model occurred in 1959, when the rosewood fingerboard became the standard configuration of the entire Fender series.  

In June of the same year, the Esquire and Telecaster Custom models came out. Their bodies have a three-tone sunburst finish and are equipped with three-layer (w/b/w) nitrate guards. These instruments marked Fender's first attempt to get rid of the traditional "simple" design. 

With the development of the 1960s, the entire Fender is undergoing greater changes. By 1965, the brand was firmly in the hands of the new owner CBS. For better or worse, this corporate giant is no longer bound by tradition, and soon began to bring the humble Tele into previously unimaginable areas.

In 1962, pioneer guitar designer Roger Rossmeisl left California guitar manufacturer Rickenbacker to join Fender. After helping to launch the company's acoustic guitar series in 1963, he continued to develop the semi-hollow electric Corona design in early 1966, and then began to study the hollow Telecaster design the following year. 

The Telecaster's uncontoured fuselage proved to be an ideal test platform for such experiments. By 1968, Rossmeisl and his assistant Virgilio Simoni improved the construction of a new Telecaster model.

Telecaster Thinline was launched in 1968, initially with natural ash or mahogany finishes. The three-color sunburst option will be introduced later this year. In 1971, the standard Telecaster pickup configuration was replaced by a dual wideband pickup designed by Seth Lover, the father of Gibson PAF. The model was in production throughout the 1970s, until it was withdrawn from the catalog at the end of the decade.

Also significantly deviating from the traditional Telecaster design is the limited-release Paisley Red and Blue Teles in 1968. Since Fender hopes to be associated with Huali’s zeitgeist, these two significantly psychedelic finishes are through the use of peeling and-a stick product called Cling-Foil produced by Borden Chemical. 

This aluminum foil (actually a thick metal wallpaper) is fixed to the wood before being blown to the edges of the car body and the pickup truck festering.

"Paisley red pulsates with every beat and spins in a dazzling carousel of color forms and tones. Fender shines again," said an ad for Paisley Red Telecaster. Its blue flower counterpart writes: "Blue flowers bloom in a dazzling array of subtle purple and green patterns. Never before has it offered such an exciting rich color." 

Unfortunately, many of these rare Teles have suffered severe decline and inspection.

Although the original double single coil/Sunburst Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1972, a completely overhauled design appeared in the same year. This new model is advertised as Telecaster Custom (although it is often referred to as "Custom Telecaster"), it uses the unique configuration of a conventional Tele-style single-coil bridge pickup and is equipped with a wideband pickup at the neck. 

The newly designed "Second Edition" Telecaster Custom has Les Paul-style controls, including independent pickup volume and pitch potentiometers, and a three-way switch for the upper bass round, providing players with a unique sound combination covering the areas of Gibson and Fender. 

Beginning in 1973, with the introduction of the dual'bucker Telecaster Deluxe, three-quarters of Fender's Telecaster designs have new Wide Range pickups; only the standard Tele retains its existing dual single coils. The latter version of Telecaster Custom was discontinued in 1981 (along with Telecaster Deluxe).

As hard rock became more and more popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s, new Tele designs continued to evolve to meet demand, while existing models were eliminated. 

By 1970, both the Esquire and Esquire Custom guitars were discontinued, followed by the original/sunburst Telecaster Custom in 1972 and the Rosewood Telecaster approved by George Harrison. Telecaster Deluxe debuted soon in 1973, hoping to directly compete with Gibson's Les Paul Standard guitar loaded with dual pickups.

Like its modern Telecaster Custom model, the hybrid-designed Telecaster Deluxe has Les Paul-style controls and a large scraper. In addition, it also has a CBS era Stratocaster style wide head, "micro neck adjustment" three-bolt neck plate system and "abdomen cut" rear profile. 

In the early days, Telecaster Deluxe also provided Strat-style "tremolo" options. The larger frets and 9.5-inch radius complete its unique feel. It has been at the top of the Telecaster price list throughout the production process.

Rod Brakes is a music writer who specializes in everything related to guitar. As a guitar dealer and technician, Rod has worked in the coal industry for many years. His most recent work as a reporter covers artists, industry professionals and equipment, including writing hundreds of articles and features for organizations such as Guitarist Magazine, MusicRadar, and Guitar World. Reports, such as and contributions to professional books and blogs. He is also a lifelong musician.

Sign up below to get the latest news from Guitarist and exclusive special offers sent directly to your inbox!

Thank you for registering with Guitarist. You will receive a verification email shortly.

has a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

Guitar World is part of Future plc, which is an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our company website.

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. all rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.