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Average Price: $2,600

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The Fender Telecaster 1971 is a quintessential piece of music history, embodying the classic sound and feel that has defined rock and blues for decades. Revered for its single-cutaway body design, this solid body electric guitar offers musicians a timeless blend of aesthetics and performance. Its vintage charm is coupled with modern reliability, making it a favorite among collectors and performers alike.

Crafted during an era renowned for its quality, the 1971 Telecaster features an ash or alder body, delivering a rich resonance and sustain that players love. The bolt-on maple neck provides a smooth playing experience, while the rosewood or maple fretboard allows for effortless navigation across the 21 frets. This Telecaster is powered by two single-coil pickups, known for their bright, cutting tones that can easily slice through any mix.

Whether you're playing rhythm or lead, the 1971 Telecaster responds with clarity and precision. Iconic for its versatility, it’s just as comfortable in a country twang as it is in a rock riff. The three-way pickup selector switch and master volume and tone controls offer a simple yet effective way to dial in your sound.

Key Features:

  • Single-cutaway solid body design
  • Choice of ash or alder body
  • Bolt-on maple neck with rosewood or maple fretboard
  • 21 frets
  • Two single-coil pickups
  • Three-way pickup selector switch
  • Master volume and tone controls
  • Renowned for its bright, cutting tone
  • Vintage Fender craftsmanship and appeal

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, Natural, Ocean Turquoise, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Sunburst, Walnut (Mocha)
Year 1970 - 1975
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, Tan, 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 are the tonal characteristics of a 1971 Fender Telecaster?

The 1971 Fender Telecaster is known for its bright, cutting tone with a strong midrange. Its classic single-coil pickups deliver that signature Tele twang, making it versatile for genres like country, rock, and blues.

What body materials are used in the 1971 Fender Telecaster?

The 1971 Fender Telecaster typically features a body made from alder or ash, contributing to its resonant and balanced tonal quality.

Is the 1971 Fender Telecaster suitable for beginners?

While the 1971 Fender Telecaster is a classic instrument with historical value, its straightforward design and playability make it accessible for both beginners and experienced players.

How does the neck profile of the 1971 Fender Telecaster feel?

The 1971 Fender Telecaster features a C-shaped neck profile, which is comfortable for most players and suitable for various playing styles.

What is the pickup configuration on the 1971 Fender Telecaster?

The 1971 Fender Telecaster has a single-coil pickup configuration (SS), providing its distinctive bright and articulate sound.

Does the 1971 Fender Telecaster have a bolt-on neck construction?

Yes, the 1971 Fender Telecaster features a bolt-on neck construction, which is a hallmark of Fender guitars and contributes to its characteristic tone and sustain.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1971 Fender Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue | Norman's Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1971 Fender Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1971 Fender Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1971 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1971 Fender Telecaster | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Vintage vs Modern Telecaster: Are 70’s Fenders Really That Bad? by Peach Guitars

Vintage vs Modern Telecaster: Are 70’s Fenders Really That Bad?

Peach Guitars

Peach Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender 1971 Telecaster | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

Fender 1971 Telecaster | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1971 Fender Telecaster Blonde (Original) by Ten Guitars TV

1971 Fender Telecaster Blonde (Original)

Ten Guitars TV

Ten Guitars TV

Video thumbnail for 1971 Fender Telecaster w/ Duke Levine | The Music Emporium by The Music Emporium

1971 Fender Telecaster w/ Duke Levine | The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

Video thumbnail for Fender Telecaster from 1971 black w. Bigsby presented by Tobias Hoffmann at Vintage Guitar Oldenburg by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Telecaster from 1971 black w. Bigsby presented by Tobias Hoffmann at Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for 1971 Fender Telecaster | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1971 Fender Telecaster | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional playability with powerful pickups for a distinct, rich sound

  • Nostalgic appeal with authentic wear spots and patina

  • Perfect action and comfortable to hold

  • Unique Nitro headstock from transitional year adds value

  • Lollar Vintage Tele pickups provide excellent tone and intonation

  • No pot or action issues, even after years of use

  • Classic tone reminiscent of iconic players like Keith Richards

CONS

  • Requires refretting for optimal performance

  • Neck pickup lacks output compared to bridge pickup

  • Not comparable in tone to early '60s Telecasters

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Telecaster 1971.

Build quality

  • The neck is stamped "3 FEB 71 B" and features a 1 5/8" synthetic nut with a maple fingerboard radius of 7.25 inches.

    Source
  • The guitar weighs 7 lbs 14 oz, providing a substantial feel without being overly heavy for a solid-body electric.

    Source
  • The six-saddle bridge was available as a Fender part in the 70s but was not standard on early 70s Telecasters.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The neck depth measures .87" at the first fret and .955" at the twelfth fret, with medium frets recently leveled and dressed.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Original single coil pickups are paired with CTS pots and a 3-barrel saddle bridge, contributing to the classic 1971 Telecaster sound.

    Source
  • Some 1971 Telecasters feature a Wide Range humbucker in the neck position, although not originally standard, indicating potential aftermarket modification.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite a bad refinish job, owners appreciate the natural wood grain and often debate refinishing versus preserving the existing look.

    Source

Comparisons

  • A brown cocoa color from the 70s is noted to be particularly appealing on Telecasters, offering a distinct vintage aesthetic.

    Source
  • Owners report the 1971 Telecaster is significantly heavier compared to modern Squier Telecasters, varying widely from 3kg to 5kg.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • John Page's NOS bullet saddles are noted as authentic replacements for 70s Telecasters with six-saddle bridges.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Eric Clapton uses Fender Telecaster 1971

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Guitar received as gift in 1971.

Genre Usage

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