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Average Price: $710

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Description

Step back into the golden era of rock 'n' roll with the Fender Esquire, a guitar that embodies the pioneering spirit of the early 1950s. This legendary instrument is more than just a piece of history; it's a dynamic tool for modern musicians seeking that unmistakable vintage sound. With its distinctive single-pickup design, the Esquire offers a unique tonal palette through a custom-wired 3-way switching system. This setup allows you to explore everything from bright, shimmering highs to rich, mellow lows by simply flicking a switch.

The Esquire is crafted with a solid ash body, providing a resonant and balanced tone. Its comfortable C-shaped maple neck and 21 vintage-style frets make it a joy to play, whether you're strumming open chords or bending notes in a soaring solo. The vintage-style 3-saddle string-through-body bridge ensures stable tuning and a clear, bell-like sustain that has made this guitar a favorite among iconic players over the decades.

Whether you're drawn to its historical significance or its raw, unfiltered sound, the Fender Esquire is a formidable choice for any guitarist looking to capture the essence of the early electric guitar era. Its timeless design and versatile capabilities ensure that it's not just a relic of the past, but a continuing legend in the world of music.

Key Features:

  • Solid ash body for resonant tone
  • C-shaped maple neck with 21 vintage-style frets
  • Vintage-style single-coil Telecaster pickup with alnico magnets
  • Custom-wired 3-position blade switching
  • Vintage-style 3-saddle string-through-body bridge
  • Maple fingerboard with 7.25" radius
  • Fender/Ping vintage-style tuning machines
  • Includes deluxe gig bag

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Classic Series '50s Esquire
Finish 2-Color Sunburst, Black, White Blonde
Year 2005 - 2016
Made In Mexico
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Ash
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Brown, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple
Fretboard Radius 7.25"
Model Family Fender Esquire
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.625"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender Classic Series

FAQs

What makes the Fender Esquire different from a Telecaster?

The Fender Esquire is unique due to its single pickup design, whereas the Telecaster typically has two pickups. This configuration gives the Esquire a distinct, raw tone and relies on a 3-way switch to modify the single pickup's output.

Can the Fender Esquire handle a variety of music genres?

Yes, the Fender Esquire's versatile single-coil pickup and tone control options make it suitable for genres like rock, blues, and country, offering a bright, punchy sound.

What is the neck profile like on the Fender Esquire?

The Fender Esquire features a classic '50s "U" shape neck profile, providing a comfortable grip suitable for both rhythm and lead playing styles.

Is the Fender Esquire suitable for beginners?

While the Fender Esquire's single-pickup setup is straightforward, its vintage-style features and unique tone control may be more appealing to players with some experience looking for a specific sound.

How does the 3-way switch on the Fender Esquire work?

The 3-way switch on the Fender Esquire modifies the tone of the single bridge pickup, offering different tonal options by routing the pickup's output through various circuit paths.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

1955 Fender Esquire White Guard | Guitar of the Day

Video thumbnail for 1955 Fender Esquire White Guard | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1955 Fender Esquire White Guard | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for The Fender Esquire: A Short History by five watt world

The Fender Esquire: A Short History

five watt world

five watt world

Video thumbnail for What Is An Esquire For? by StuartRyanMusic

What Is An Esquire For?

StuartRyanMusic

StuartRyanMusic

Video thumbnail for 1958 Fender Esquire VS 70th Anniversary Fender Esquire. (Brand New vs Brand Old) by Robert Baker

1958 Fender Esquire VS 70th Anniversary Fender Esquire. (Brand New vs Brand Old)

Robert Baker

Robert Baker

Video thumbnail for Fender 1963 Esquire | Guitar of the Day - RARE GUITAR!!! by Normans Rare Guitars

Fender 1963 Esquire | Guitar of the Day - RARE GUITAR!!!

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1955 Fender Esquire | Guitar of the Day - From Norm's Warehouse! by Normans Rare Guitars

1955 Fender Esquire | Guitar of the Day - From Norm's Warehouse!

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1957 Fender Esquire played by Tyler Bryant by Carter Vintage Guitars

1957 Fender Esquire played by Tyler Bryant

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for The Ultimate Rock Guitar? Fender Esquire by The Studio Rats

The Ultimate Rock Guitar? Fender Esquire

The Studio Rats

The Studio Rats

Video thumbnail for This Vintage '56 Fender Esquire is DISGUSTING!! by NEO Guitar Concepts

This Vintage '56 Fender Esquire is DISGUSTING!!

NEO Guitar Concepts

NEO Guitar Concepts

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique single-coil sound distinct from Telecaster bridge pickups

  • Excellent build quality and playability, praised even by Custom Shop users

  • Lightweight design, often under 7 lbs, enhances playability

  • Classic 50s aesthetic with vintage finishes and features

  • Versatile tonal options with modifiable wiring schemes

  • Comfortable neck profiles, praised for rhythm playing and overall comfort

  • Reduced string pull from single pickup adds distinctive tonal character

  • Offers customization potential for enthusiasts looking to tweak their instrument

CONS

  • Stock wiring scheme may not appeal to everyone

  • Finish can be too glossy for some, affecting comfort

  • Smaller frets may not suit players used to larger ones

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Esquire.

Features and functionality

  • A 4-way switch on the Esquire offers "Volume only," "Volume & Tone," and "1/2 and 1/4 cocked wah" options for varied tonal versatility.

    Source
  • Variations in Esquire wiring and pot configurations can impact sound, indicating not all models produce identical tones.

    Source
  • The 3-position switch includes different capacitors for varied tones, allowing users to switch between bright and darker presets.

    Source
  • One popular Esquire circuit includes a dark circuit, standard tone, and the bridge pickup wired directly to the output jack for clarity.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners convert their Esquires by adding pickups with coil taps, allowing for multiple coil options and unique tone settings.

    Source
  • Owners suggest using a Seymour Duncan Secret Weapon pickup under the guard to enhance tonal options while maintaining the Esquire's aesthetic.

    Source
  • Some owners use an EMG Tele bridge pickup for low tunings, suggesting versatility for baritone Esquire setups.

    Source
  • Some owners explore adding humbuckers with coil-splitting to expand tonal options while maintaining the Esquire's minimalist setup.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users find that having an Esquire encourages focusing on technique, as the single pickup setup limits distractions from switching settings.

    Source
  • Exclusive use of bridge pickups can still achieve desired tones if paired with a suitable amp, highlighting amp compatibility as key.

    Source

Comparisons

  • An Esquire configured with a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup and minimal settings is favored for jazz and practice, highlighting its simplicity in tone exploration.

    Source
  • The lack of a neck pickup route in MIJ Art Canvas Esquires contrasts with traditional Telecasters, influencing tone options.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners with varied Esquires report satisfaction, even using hidden pickups for stealthy tonal expansion without altering aesthetics.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender 70th Anniversary Esquire Review | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Fender 70th Anniversary Esquire is a nostalgic nod to a classic design, capturing the essence of Fender's groundbreaking single-pickup guitar. Praised for its light and resonant nature, the Esquire offers a broad tonal range thanks to its old-school electronics, despite having just one pickup. The flawless nitro finish adds to its charm. However, the necessity to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod is a minor inconvenience. Overall, this guitar stands as a fitting tribute to a historic model, celebrated for its vibrant sound and vintage appeal.

positive

Fender’s 70th Anniversary Esquire | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

Fender's 70th Anniversary Esquire is a masterful blend of homage and innovation. It retains the iconic single-pickup charm of the 1950 original but modernizes it with a roasted pine body for improved resonance and stability. The beefy maple neck and vintage-style frets offer a nostalgic playing experience, while the Tim Shaw-designed pickup delivers a unique, punchy sound. However, purists might seek thicker strings for that truly vintage tone. The nitrocellulose finish and vibrant color options add to its allure. Overall, it's a fitting tribute to a classic, with a few modern twists.

positive
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 35 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

Pretty solid stock guitar fr the buck.

This is a Mexi-made Esquire. Swamp-ash body, maple neck, etc. Pretty much a classic 50s telecaster with 1 pickup and the esquire's wonky wiring. But the wiring scheme is part of the charm of an esquire as is the reduced string pull from just 1 pickup that makes these guitars just a touch meaner than their big brothers. This guitar has a well-applied Polyurethane white-blonde finish that is too glossy for my taste. Feels weird under my forearm. The neck is finished in vintage tinted poly and is fairly glossy, but in a good way. I never seem to stick to it even when I get sweaty.

My 3 star review is based on how I got this esquire stock. Its really a 4.5 star after some tweaking. An Angeltone 1950B pickup went in the bridge and I switched the stock steel barrels for a set of Hipshot compensated brass saddles. That seemed to bring the guitar to life plugged in. I didn't feel that the stock parts put forward its midrangey voice unplugged.

She doesn't have an official name but I often refer to her as Mary (as in Mary Kaye cosmetics, even though she is not truly Mary Kaye) or the Deathsquire (mine has a black bakelite pickguard installed by the previous owner) because she wears more black than any of my other guitars. Tré funereal, Baron Samedi!

From Gear Setup
andrew_moran

I had one of these and of course I regret selling it now - like half the gear I have had.

skylinerr

Are all your teles maple necked?

jimmarchi1

no, 2 maple, 1 rosewood I think... at one point I had like 3 or 4 maples and 2 rosewoods? I forget.

skylinerr

great

a 2000s mexi esquire refinished in black modded from stock with kluson tuners a white 7 hole pickguard with 2 strat single coils (neck and middle position) making a 3 pickup esquire/tele/strat and I had to get it a 5 way selector

Genres:
weepo
weepo

3565

My favorite guitar!

I have a custom build of the Esquire with a snakehead neck. I love the bright tone of this pickup. And the minimalism!

otto_van_carr

Custom Esquire. No knobs. Rio Grande P90 wired straight to output jack.

Go-to guitar. Beautiful simplicity. Comfortable chunky neck. Flat wounds.

otto_van_carr

Syd Barrett influence

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Chris Young uses Fender Esquire

Chris Young

Singer

...
Verified via Photo

On Chris' official Instagram, you can see him playing a vintage Fender Esquier.

See how Dan Baird uses Fender Esquire

Dan Baird

Singer, Guitarist

The Georgia Satellites

...
Verified via YouTube

In this youtube video he discusses how he managed to obtain a fender esquire which originally belonged to Steve Marriott

See how Aaron “Rev” Peters uses Fender Esquire

Aaron “Rev” Peters

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by @finalcurtainfanzine, Aaron “Rev” Peters is seen using a Fender Esquire during a performance with The Drowns. This is further corroborated by numerous other photos of him on stage.

See how Hal Lindes uses Fender Esquire

Hal Lindes

Guitarist

Dire Straits

...
Verified via Photo

Love This Esquire Custom - Thank youJohn Hill / Fender. #fender #direstraits #bl Love This Esquire Custom - Thank youJohn Hill / Fender.

See how Michael Monarch uses Fender Esquire

Michael Monarch

Guitarist

Steppenwolf

...
Verified via Rock Band

In this interview Michael states that he used this guitar on the first Steppenwolf album.

B

Benji Lysaght

Guitarist

Ambulance LTD

...
Verified via Mmguitarbar

"Dude knows his stuff. And his tone? Fantastic. Utilizing a host of pedals–including a silver box Klon Centaur and an Earthquaker Devices Rainbow Machine–and an older Tone King Meteor powered by a quartet of 6V6s, Benji culled some breath taking sounds out of his choice vintage guitars. He employed a 1951 two-pickup Fender Esquire, a quirky-cool late 50’s Guyatone LG-60 and a vintage Epiphone 12-string."

See how Craig Northey uses Fender Esquire

Craig Northey

Singer, Guitarist

Stripper’s Union

...
Verified via @VIAwesome

Nicknamed 'Boog', has been with Craig since 1993.

See how Mick Grabham uses Fender Esquire

Mick Grabham

Guitarist

Procol Harum

...
Verified via Procolharum

The following list was published in the Procol's Ninth tour programme:

"Mick Grabham: Wallace 30 watt amplifier; Sinkham speaker cabinet; Edwards volume pedal; Wallace custom pre-amp; Leslie 760 speaker cabinet;1957 Fender Stratocaster; 1959 Gibson Les Paul; 1951 Fender Esquire"

See how Petar Konakov uses Fender Esquire

Petar Konakov

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Capital Colours - Captain Cook Teaser," Petar Konakov showcases his Fender Esquire, a Fiesta Red, relic'd model crafted by MJT.

See how Kiyoshiro Imawano uses Fender Esquire

Kiyoshiro Imawano

Singer, Guitarist

RC Succession

...
Verified via ギター・マガジンWEB|Guitar magazine
Year: 1963

Kiyoshiro Imawano is known to use a 1963 Fender Esquire, originally acquired in Los Angeles by Hirofumi Kasuga. This iconic guitar was later inherited by Kiyoshiro and, for a time, was also played by Reiichi "CHABO" Nakaiido. This information is supported by Guitar magazine, which highlights the faithful reproduction of Kiyoshiro's 1963 Esquire by Fender Custom Shop.

See how David Toop uses Fender Esquire

David Toop

Music Producer

The Flying Lizards

...
Verified via Mit

Mentioned in Toop's essay "Rush Pep Box".

Another characteristic of the pedal, exploited in pieces such as “Cloud Studies N. 2,” recorded for our first BBC Radio Three broadcast in 1973, was its destructive interaction with other effects pedals [3]. If it were used in combination with my second fuzz box, for example, the additive sound would be a cancelled sustain. In other words, the normal decay time of the more conventional pedal would begin as usual, but then fade away into a complex, spluttering distortion or disappear abruptly. In this configuration my guitar (at that time a Fender Esquire) could sound not unlike the hybrid electronic keyboard sounds popular from the early 1960s until the mid-1970s, such as the Rocksichord, Clavinet and Clavioline. One influence on our music came from Sun Ra, and since Sun Ra had made records with these and other electronic keyboards, this increased the attraction of the effect [4].

See how Mikhail Zhuchkov uses Fender Esquire

Mikhail Zhuchkov

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Mikhail Zhuchkov is seen playing a Fender Esquire, specifically a '50s Custom Shop replica belonging to Alexander Pushnoy.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Esquire, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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