Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $15,006

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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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

What kind of sound can I expect from a 1956 Fender Telecaster?

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.

Is the 1956 Fender Telecaster suitable for modern music styles?

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.

How does the neck profile of the 1956 Fender Telecaster affect playability?

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.

What are the key construction features of the 1956 Fender Telecaster?

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.

Is the 1956 Fender Telecaster a good choice for beginners?

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.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: Original 1956 Fender Telecaster

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: Original 1956 Fender Telecaster by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: Original 1956 Fender Telecaster

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1956 Fender Telecaster Blonde | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1956 Fender Telecaster Blonde | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1956 Fender Telecaster | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1956 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1956 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster - Phil's Vintage Guitars by Phil's Vintage Guitars Original

1956 Fender Telecaster - Phil's Vintage Guitars

Phil's Vintage Guitars Original

Phil's Vintage Guitars Original

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster | The Music Emporium by The Music Emporium

1956 Fender Telecaster | The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster with ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT & TAGS! by Emerald City Guitars

1956 Fender Telecaster with ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT & TAGS!

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1956 Fender Telecaster | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster - Atoyboy Guitars by ATB Guitars

1956 Fender Telecaster - Atoyboy Guitars

ATB Guitars

ATB Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1956 Fender Telecaster, Blonde | Weston Stewart by Carter Vintage Backstage

1956 Fender Telecaster, Blonde | Weston Stewart

Carter Vintage Backstage

Carter Vintage Backstage

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

  • The 12th fret dots are spaced too far apart, indicating non-authentic construction.

    Source
  • The headstock shape deviates from authentic Fender profiles, suggesting a non-Fender neck.

    Source
  • Incorrect placement and style of Fender logos suggest aftermarket decals, not original Fender parts.

    Source
  • The absence of a walnut plug around the truss rod hole confirms it is not an authentic USA Fender neck.

    Source
  • The use of StewMac premixed vintage amber nitro clear, applied improperly, resulted in a speckled finish pattern.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The incorrect "original contour body" decal on a Telecaster indicates a lack of authenticity, as this is specific to Stratocasters.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
thomas_lipp

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

Add artist
See how Duane Allman uses 1956 Fender Telecaster

Duane Allman

Guitarist

The Allman Brothers Band

...
Verified via Groundguitar

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.

See how Johnny Depp uses 1956 Fender Telecaster

Johnny Depp

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Leo Kottke uses 1956 Fender Telecaster

Leo Kottke

Guitarist

Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon

...
Verified via Photo

This 1956 Fender Telecaster, previously owned and used by fingerpicking legend Leo Kottke, was featured by Gruhn Guitars on Instagram. It comes with a handwritten letter from Kottke detailing its history. Notably, the guitar has a replaced neck pickup and pickguard.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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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