Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $2,764
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Fender 1951 Telecaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into musical history with the Fender 1951 Telecaster, a cornerstone in the evolution of the electric guitar. Not just a piece of equipment, but a testament to Fender's legacy in shaping the sounds of country and rock. This iconic instrument remains true to its origins, boasting its classic design and sound that propelled the electric guitar from novelty to necessity. With its straightforward yet versatile features, the Telecaster is not just a guitar; it's a bridge connecting past and present musicians. Whether you're strumming through a country classic or bending the strings on a rock anthem, the Telecaster stands as a faithful companion on your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Two single-coil pickups offering the unmistakable Tele twang
- Classic slab body made of Ash or Alder, ensuring a timeless sound and durability
- Renowned for its role in the evolution of country and rock music
- Maintains the iconic design and specifications from its original 1951 release
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Telecaster |
| Finish | Black Refin, Blonde Refin, Blue Refin, Gold Refin, Green Refin, Natural Refin, Red Refin, Sunburst Refin, White Refin |
| Year | 1951 - 1965 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | T-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Gold, Green, Red, Tan, White, Yellow |
| Finish Features | Refinished |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Maple, Rosewood |
| 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 | Opaque, Plain |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Fender 1951 Telecaster?
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The Fender 1951 Telecaster features a U-shaped neck profile, which provides a substantial feel and is ideal for players who prefer a chunkier neck.
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What type of pickups does the Fender 1951 Telecaster use?
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This model is equipped with a pair of vintage ’51 single-coil Tele pickups, known for delivering clear, bright tones with a classic Telecaster twang.
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Is the Fender 1951 Telecaster suitable for beginners?
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While the Fender 1951 Telecaster is a vintage-style instrument, its simple design and versatile sound make it suitable for players of all levels, though beginners might need to adjust to its U-shaped neck.
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What kind of finish does the Fender 1951 Telecaster have?
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The Fender 1951 Telecaster features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which allows the wood to breathe and age naturally, contributing to its vintage aesthetic and sound.
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How many frets does the Fender 1951 Telecaster have?
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The Fender 1951 Telecaster comes with 21 vintage tall frets, providing a classic feel and facilitating smooth playability across the maple fingerboard.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 1951 Telecaster.
Build quality
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The thick poly undercoat, common since 1963, is noted for creating a shiny finish but can be brittle over time.
Source
Features and functionality
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The nitro finish, although marketed as vintage, is often mixed with modern elements like UV curing, affecting its aging properties.
Source
Comparisons
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The American Vintage II Telecasters' finish is said to feel similar in thickness to Mexican Classic 50s models, rather than the originals.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
230
This is an original, but awesome
I have a hot roded staggered pickup in mine, with a 4 way switch, made of swamp ash and is very light.
41010
wait, you have a '51 'nocaster' tele and you ditched the stock pickups?
230
its a custom shop re-issue.
Artist usage
Add artist
The back of the Ummagumma album cover features a Fender Telecaster that appears to be a late 1950s model with a natural brown body and maple neck. Like several of David’s Teles, the “lipstick” cover was taken off the neck pickup. The guitar is later seen in Paris, France, September 12. 1970 and in Lyon, France, June 12. 1971. David bought this after his white Telecaster got lost during the band’s visit to the US in July 1968 and luckily it was the only instrument that didn’t get stolen in May 1970.
At 6:51 in this interview, Larry Carlton talks about his '51 Telecaster, saying, "Yeah this is a ‘51 Telecaster. The tech that worked for me in the 80s, Dave Rouse, he was with me at least three years full-time, at my studio and on the road. And his best friend, Dave's best friend Pierre Du Bois was Keith Richard's tech. And the Stones were gonna go out on a tour and they wanted to add another guitar tech. Pierre called Dave, his best friend, my tech, and said "Can you go out for the year with the Stones?" And Dave came to me, "Larry can I go out Stones for a year?" Well, he stayed with them 20 years. But what I'm getting at is at one of the Stone's sound checks, somebody showed up at sound check with this guitar to show it to Keith. And so they gave it to David and said, "Would you show this to Keith? It's for sale." And Keith said "I have enough Telecasters, blah blah blah." But Dave said "but I have a buddy who might be interested in it." So they shipped it to me. It screams. This back pick up, this back pick up tells a story when you crank it. So yeah, I'm happy to have this and I've actually done some bebop gigs with this too... The Montreux Jazz Festival 1997. If you go to YouTube and check it, out I'm playing "So What?" on this guitar... It's my understanding that the neck is stamped 1951 and the body is stamped '52, so it was put together sometime during that transition, probably... Right, yeah, so no, I haven't done anything to it. Just a special tone."
At 19:54 in the YouTube video titled "Phil Manzanera: My Go-To Guitars," Phil Manzanera is seen in his studio with a Fender 1951 Telecaster, confirming his use of this specific guitar model.
He states:
It's got a magic about it this guitar it's um it's a real good friend
Album Usage
The Fender 1951 Telecaster has been featured on the following albums:
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 Fender 1951 Telecaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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