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Average Price: $9,000

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Unveiling a piece of music history with the Fender Telecaster (1966), a true icon that captures the essence of an era when rock and country music were being reshaped. This classic solid-body electric guitar, featuring a timeless single cutaway design, radiates with the authentic sound that only a Telecaster can deliver. Crafted during the transitional period from Pre-CBS to CBS production, this instrument offers a unique snapshot of Fender's evolving craftsmanship.

The 1966 Telecaster is renowned for its two single-coil pickups, providing the bright, cutting tone that has become synonymous with its name. Whether you're strumming a soulful blues riff or a high-energy rock anthem, this guitar's remarkable sound versatility will captivate audiences. The combination of an Ash body, Maple neck, and Rosewood fingerboard ensures not just a stunning visual appeal but also a robust build that promises longevity. A white pickguard complements the pristine white finish, adding a touch of elegance to its vintage vibe.

Musicians like Keith Richards and James Burton have trusted the Telecaster to bring their music to life, and now it's your turn to experience its legendary performance. Whether you're a collector or a performer, the 1966 Fender Telecaster is more than just a guitar; it's a piece of history waiting to inspire your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Single cutaway solid-body design
  • Ash body with Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard
  • Two single-coil pickups for iconic Telecaster tone
  • 25 1/2-inch scale length
  • String-through-body construction
  • White finish with matching white pickguard

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Telecaster with Maple Fretboard, Telecaster with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Black, Blonde, Candy Apple Red, Firemist Gold, Firemist Silver, Lake Placid Blue, Ocean Turquoise, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Sunburst
Year 1966
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder, Ash
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Red, Silver, White, Yellow
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
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 CBS Era

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the body of the 1966 Fender Telecaster?

The 1966 Fender Telecaster features a body made from either alder or ash, which are known for their balanced tonal qualities and sustain.

What is the neck profile of the 1966 Fender Telecaster like?

The 1966 Fender Telecaster typically has a "C" shaped neck profile, offering a comfortable grip suitable for various playing styles and techniques.

How does the pickup configuration affect the sound of the 1966 Fender Telecaster?

The 1966 Fender Telecaster features a single-coil pickup configuration (SS), providing a bright, clear tone with excellent note definition, ideal for genres like country, rock, and blues.

Is the 1966 Fender Telecaster suitable for beginners?

While the 1966 Fender Telecaster is a vintage instrument often sought by collectors and experienced players, its straightforward design and playability can also make it accessible for dedicated beginners.

What finish options are available for the 1966 Fender Telecaster?

The 1966 Fender Telecaster is available in a variety of finishes, including Olympic White, Black, Blonde, and more, each offering a distinct aesthetic appeal.

frettedamericana

frettedamericana

Phil X is BACK! 1966 Fender Telecaster 01397

Video thumbnail for Phil X is BACK! 1966 Fender Telecaster 01397 by frettedamericana

Phil X is BACK! 1966 Fender Telecaster 01397

frettedamericana

frettedamericana

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1966 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1966 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender Telecaster from 1966 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann. by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Telecaster from 1966 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann.

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster Blonde | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1966 Fender Telecaster Blonde | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster Tone Review and Demo by MusicStoreLive.com

1966 Fender Telecaster Tone Review and Demo

MusicStoreLive.com

MusicStoreLive.com

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster Olympic White | CME Quick Riffs | Shelby Pollard by Chicago Music Exchange

1966 Fender Telecaster Olympic White | CME Quick Riffs | Shelby Pollard

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster played by Hudson Davis by Carter Vintage Guitars

1966 Fender Telecaster played by Hudson Davis

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1966 Fender Telecaster and Carr Telstar by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1966 Fender Telecaster and Carr Telstar

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for Finding a one owner @fender Telecaster from 1966 by Jeremy Sheppard

Finding a one owner @fender Telecaster from 1966

Jeremy Sheppard

Jeremy Sheppard

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster - Olympic White / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1966 Fender Telecaster - Olympic White / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Pt. 1 by lwvintage guitars

1966 Fender Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Pt. 1

lwvintage guitars

lwvintage guitars

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster played by Seth Plemmons by Carter Vintage Guitars

1966 Fender Telecaster played by Seth Plemmons

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for FENDER 1966 Telecaster "Olympic White" by 三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

FENDER 1966 Telecaster "Olympic White"

三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

三木楽器 / MIKIGAKKI 公式チャンネル

Video thumbnail for Fender Vintage 1966 Telecaster Natural | PMT by PMTVUK

Fender Vintage 1966 Telecaster Natural | PMT

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for A 1966 Fender Telecaster by williesguitars

A 1966 Fender Telecaster

williesguitars

williesguitars

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Pt. 2 by lwvintage guitars

1966 Fender Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Pt. 2

lwvintage guitars

lwvintage guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Telecaster (1966).

Build quality

  • The neck pocket of this Telecaster is a key area for verifying originality and is highly valued by potential buyers.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the truss rod requires removing the neck due to its placement at the bottom, typical of this era before 1970.

    Source
  • To ensure originality and functionality, the guitar was taken apart for documentation, including checking pots, caps, and solder joints.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar includes finish checking and wear that are unique to its age and cannot be replicated easily, adding to its authenticity.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Eric Clapton uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

Lot #104 - 1952 Fender Telecaster (Natural) $90,000 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 Given to Eric Clapton by Carl Radle

Used on tour 1974-76 world tours.

See how Paul McCartney uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Hog Hill Mill Blog

Paul McCartney is associated with the 1966 Fender Telecaster, as detailed in the Hog Hill Mill Blog under "Guitars & Other Instruments."

See how Jerry Cantrell uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Jerry Cantrell

Singer, Guitarist

Alice in Chains

...
Verified via Google

Jerry Cantrell has been known to use a 1966 Fender Telecaster in white, as evidenced by various images available through a Google search. While the specific guitar in the picture isn't a Fender, Cantrell is recognized for his use of Telecasters.

See how Rory Gallagher uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Rory Gallagher

Guitarist, Singer

Taste

...
Verified via Photo

According to this Music Radar article, "Rory’s go-to slide guitar during the first few years of his solo career due to its sharp tonal qualities. There’s a ’66 marking on the neck, but some sources have it as a ’67 model. He always paired it with a half-fingered brass slide." It also mentions that this telecaster was used on the albums Rory Gallagher, Deuce, and Live in Europe.

See how Adam Granduciel uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Adam Granduciel

Singer, Guitarist

The War on Drugs

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video of The War On Drugs' performance on September 13, 2024, in Forest Hills, NY, Adam Granduciel can be seen playing a white 1966 Fender Telecaster.

See how Jake Kiszka uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Jake Kiszka

Guitarist

Greta Van Fleet

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Jake Kiszka used a 1966 Fender Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue, owned by Blackbird Studios, during the recording of Greta Van Fleet's "Anthem of the Peaceful Army." This information is detailed in Tessa Jeffers' article on Premier Guitar.

See how Christian Andreu uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Christian Andreu

Guitarist

Gojira

...
Verified via YouTube

in the video of the band gojira playing the song inferno, we can see christian playing a white telecaster guitar. it can be appreciated in the minute 0:50

See how Rex Orange County uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Rex Orange County

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Google

In a 2018 performance at the El Rey Theatre, Rex Orange County used a 1966 Fender Telecaster in white.

See how Phil X uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Phil X

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

"The Lake Placid Blue color is bright, fresh and unfaded. This is an exceptional example of a very rare custom-color Telecaster - one of the best we have ever seen."

Phil X conducts a #product-demo of this guitar throughout this video.

See how YungBlud uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

YungBlud

Singer, Guitarist

Supergroup A

...
Verified via YouTube

YUNGBLUD is seen performing his song I Love You Will You Marry Me using this guitar several times.

See how Drew Shirley uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Drew Shirley

Guitarist

Switchfoot

...
Verified via YouTube

The video clearly shows his use of a vintage style tele which is evident in the bridge set up, as well as the video describing his use of a 60s telecaster.

See how Tom Bukovac uses Fender Telecaster (1966)

Tom Bukovac

Guitarist

Trip the Witch

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Homeskoolin’ Volume 175, Tom Bukovac, 'Transition Logo Blues'" by 501chorusecho, Tom Bukovac, also known as Uncle Larry, showcases his 1966 Fender Telecaster in white. Although Bukovac, a renowned Nashville session musician, traditionally favored Stratocasters for their single-coil sound, he has recently embraced Telecasters. This particular guitar features a rare "maple cap" neck, a special order from the era when Fender had switched to rosewood fingerboards. These "maple cap" necks, produced between 1962 and early 1969, are prized for their distinct tonal qualities and historical significance, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's famous custom-ordered Strats.

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 Telecaster (1966), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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