Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $15,006
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Description
Embrace the legacy of a vintage icon with the 1956 Fender Telecaster, an instrument that stands at the crossroads of history and innovation. This guitar doesn't just echo the past; it brings the revered tones and aesthetics of the '50s directly into the hands of today's musicians. With its distinctive aged blonde finish, it's not just an instrument—it's a piece of music history. Whether you're a collector or a player, the 1956 Telecaster offers a blend of classic charm and performance that remains unmatched.
Key Features:
- Aged blonde finish that captures the genuine spirit of the '50s
- Renowned for its influential role in shaping modern guitar sound
- Solid body design, ensuring a sustain that makes every note count
- Vintage-style single-coil pickups for that classic Telecaster twang
- Maple neck with a comfortable "C" shape profile, ideal for various playing styles
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Telecaster |
| Finish | Blonde |
| Year | 1956 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Ash |
| Body Shape | T-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Yellow |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Maple |
| Fretboard Radius | 7.25" |
| Model Family | Fender Telecaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender Vintage Pre-CBS Era |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What kind of sound can I expect from a 1956 Fender Telecaster?
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The 1956 Fender Telecaster is known for its bright, cutting tone with a strong midrange, making it ideal for genres like country, rock, and blues. Its ash body and single-coil pickups deliver a classic, twangy sound that is both clear and versatile.
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Is the 1956 Fender Telecaster suitable for modern music styles?
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While the 1956 Fender Telecaster is renowned for its vintage tone, its versatile sound can adapt to various music styles, including rock and indie. However, it excels in classic genres like country and blues due to its characteristic twang and clarity.
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How does the neck profile of the 1956 Fender Telecaster affect playability?
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The 1956 Fender Telecaster features a maple neck with a 7.25" fretboard radius, offering a comfortable, vintage-style playing feel. This neck profile is ideal for players who prefer a rounder fretboard for chord work and traditional playing techniques.
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What are the key construction features of the 1956 Fender Telecaster?
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The 1956 Fender Telecaster has a solid ash body with a bolt-on maple neck and a string-through bridge design. This construction contributes to its resonant tone and sustain, while the single-coil pickups provide the iconic Telecaster sound.
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Is the 1956 Fender Telecaster a good choice for beginners?
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While the 1956 Fender Telecaster is a vintage model prized by collectors and experienced players, beginners may find its straightforward design and iconic sound appealing. However, its vintage specifications might require some adjustment for players used to modern guitars.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Guitar of the Day: Original 1956 Fender Telecaster
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1956 Fender Telecaster.
Build quality
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The 12th fret dots are spaced too far apart, indicating non-authentic construction.
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The headstock shape deviates from authentic Fender profiles, suggesting a non-Fender neck.
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Incorrect placement and style of Fender logos suggest aftermarket decals, not original Fender parts.
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The absence of a walnut plug around the truss rod hole confirms it is not an authentic USA Fender neck.
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The use of StewMac premixed vintage amber nitro clear, applied improperly, resulted in a speckled finish pattern.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
75
This is Tex
This was a trade in exchange via 1981 from a local music store I had (which I wish I had kept) a 1975 Gibson Explorer as long as I still had the Tele which decided I wanted to trade I wanted a Tele and low and behold this was brought in the same day I showed up it belonged to a member of The Outlaws who wanted a Les Paul the salesman Phil it was what I wanted if a Tele was my desire so that's how I came to own Tex not all original it had already been modified with different pickups and the finish had been stripped but the neck was in tacked and it plays like a dream I have slowly as I could effort to restore it
Artist usage
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Duane acquired this Telecaster while playing with the Allman Joys around 1965/66, and it remained his main guitar with the Hourglass in 1967/68. It had a late-sixties V-shaped Stratocaster neck installed, and originally a black pickguard, which was replaced with a white one at some point. Another custom thing on this guitar was a Vox fuzz-box which was installed on the guitar itself, just bellow the volume/tone controls.
In this photo, we can see Johnny Depp playing a 1956 Fender Telecaster electric guitar in a vintage white (or cream) finish, with a black pickguard.
In an interview with Vanity Fair from November 2004, Depp talks about this Tele, and confirms its year:
"Depp harks back to lessons he learned when he was prowling rock-club stages with his beloved Fender Telecaster—classic ’56 model, cream-colored—on his hip. “As a guitarist, I would always look for whatever felt right, something tasteful—and I guess I still do.” He still owns that same Telecaster and remains “more interested in finding what fits the piece musically as opposed to how many notes I can play quickly. I was never one of those ‘look at me’ players.”"
The full interview can be found here.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use 1956 Fender Telecaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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