In Fender Telecaster 75 Years, guitar historian Dave Hunter traces Telecaster (R) guitars across seven-plus decades, beginning with Leo Fender’s breakthrough design in his modest Fullerton, California, workshop. From there, Hunter explores: The new Telecaster design in the context of the contemporary guitar market and the needs of musicians of the day. The Telecaster’s solidbody two-pickup configuration, bolt-on neck, and carefully considered body shape, as well as the players who played a part in the guitar’s early evolution. Design improvements undertaken throughout the Telecaster’s first decades, such as the introduction of a rosewood fingerboard and Custom Color options. CBS’s 1965 acquisition of Fender & its effects on company culture & the Telecaster, as well as the 1985 acquisition of Fender spearheaded by a group of employees. Fender’s forward-thinking combination of vintage specs and materials with modern features in Telecaster guitars that offer classic styling and current conveniences. Illustrated throughout with rare images from the Fender archives, Fender Telecaster 75 Years treats readers to rare behind-the-scenes views of the shop floor throughout the years, studio imagery of the guitars, rare period advertising and brochures, and performance photography of Fender players.
