Born as the Broadcaster in 1950, the Telecaster distilled Leo Fender's pragmatic engineering into a slab body, bolt-on maple neck, and two bright single-coils wired for twang. Its rugged build and cutting tone made it a staple for country pioneers like James Burton, then for rock, punk, and indie artists who leaned on its clarity and bite. Seven decades on, the Tele remains largely unchanged, testament to an original design that got it right the first time.
- Introduced: 1950 (as Broadcaster/Nocaster); renamed Telecaster in 1951
- Signature traits: Ash or alder slab body, 3-saddle bridge, crystalline single-coils
- Notable players: Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page