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Average Price: $2,627

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Step back in time with the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold, an electric guitar that embodies the classic Fender craftsmanship with a touch of vintage charm. This model is a part of Fender's celebrated lineage, known for its robust build and iconic sound. The Telecaster’s solid body design offers durability and a resonant tone that has been favored by musicians across genres. The guitar's vintage-style pickups deliver a warm, articulate sound that's perfect for both studio recordings and live performances.

Crafted with an alder body, this Telecaster ensures balanced tones with a hint of brightness, making it versatile for various playing styles. The maple neck offers smooth playability with a comfortable C-shape profile, while the rosewood fingerboard provides a classic feel under the fingers. The guitar's hardware, including a six-saddle bridge, ensures a reliable tuning stability and intonation.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a budding guitarist, the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold offers a blend of aesthetic appeal and functional prowess, staying true to the Fender tradition while offering the unique charm of a vintage instrument.

Key Features:

  • Solid alder body for balanced tones
  • Maple neck with a comfortable C-shape profile
  • Rosewood fingerboard for a classic feel
  • Vintage-style pickups for warm, articulate sound
  • Six-saddle bridge for tuning stability and intonation
  • Part of Fender's celebrated Telecaster series

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Collector's Edition Black and Gold Telecaster
Finish Black
Year 1981 - 1983
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 Black
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material 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 FSR Limited Edition
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What makes the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold unique compared to other Telecasters?

The 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold is a collector's edition featuring a distinctive black and gold finish with a matching headstock, made from ash with a rosewood fretboard, offering a unique aesthetic and classic Telecaster tone.

What type of pickups does the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold have?

This model features a single-coil pickup configuration, known for delivering the bright, cutting tones characteristic of classic Telecasters.

Is the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold suitable for all playing levels?

Yes, this Telecaster is suitable for both beginners and advanced players, offering a comfortable playability with its 25.5" scale length and bolt-on maple neck.

What kind of music is the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold best suited for?

The 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold is versatile, making it suitable for genres like rock, blues, country, and pop, thanks to its bright and articulate single-coil pickups.

How does the body material of the 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold affect its sound?

The ash body of this Telecaster contributes to a balanced tone with a pronounced midrange and bright high-end, enhancing its signature Telecaster sound.

Groovy Music Lessons

Groovy Music Lessons

1981 Fender Telecaster Black And Gold Guitar Review Scott Grove

Video thumbnail for 1981 Fender Telecaster Black And Gold Guitar Review Scott Grove by Groovy Music Lessons

1981 Fender Telecaster Black And Gold Guitar Review Scott Grove

Groovy Music Lessons

Groovy Music Lessons

Video thumbnail for 1981 Fender Telecaster - Black Gold Collector  / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1981 Fender Telecaster - Black Gold Collector / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1981 Fender Telecaster... with a SOLID GOLD BRIDGE.... by every single guitars.

1981 Fender Telecaster... with a SOLID GOLD BRIDGE....

every single guitars.

every single guitars.

Video thumbnail for Fender Telecaster (1981), Black & Gold at The Fellowship of Acoustics (new building sneak peak!) by The Fellowship of Acoustics

Fender Telecaster (1981), Black & Gold at The Fellowship of Acoustics (new building sneak peak!)

The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Video thumbnail for 1981 Fender Telecaster Limited Edition Black & Gold by Becca Williams -                 Cabal Records USA

1981 Fender Telecaster Limited Edition Black & Gold

Becca Williams -                 Cabal Records USA

Becca Williams - Cabal Records USA

Reviews

PROS

  • Stunning and unique black and gold design, a true collector's item

  • Impressive "Tele Twang" sound with a massive, distinctive bridge

  • Excellent neck shape providing comfortable playability

  • Precise intonation and easily adjustable saddles for string height

  • Represents Fender's early custom design efforts with unique hardware

  • Durable construction, maintaining condition over decades

CONS

  • Considerably heavy, with some models weighing over 10 lbs

  • Pickups may not be the best Fender has used

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Deacon uses Fender Telecaster Black and Gold 1981

John Deacon

Bassist, Composer

Queen

...
Verified via Photo

John Deacon used this guitar in live performances of Queen song "Staying Power" in 1982.

See how Jorge González uses Fender Telecaster Black and Gold 1981

Jorge González

Singer, Guitarist

Los Prisioneros

...
Verified via Photo

Jorge González used this guitar in Festival Neutral 2014 at GAM. The guitar has the pickguard changed from original black to white. Here a more detailed image: https://i.imgur.com/kHAJ2Il.jpg

See how D. Boon uses Fender Telecaster Black and Gold 1981

D. Boon

Singer, Guitarist

Minutemen

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Black

D. Boon appears to have bought this 1981 - 1983 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold Collector's Edition model in 1983, and it might be what they recorded much of Double Nickels on the Dime with although that's speculation, it's not confirmed.

It's said that D. Boon changed the bridge pickup in his Telecaster or Telecasters, but it's not clear when this happened or if he changed the pickups in both the Black Tele and his Brown Tele Deluxe (I have no good photos of Black from 1985 right now to confirm if he used the EMG then, although there is an EMG in the Brown Tele.)

This specific type of Telecaster Guitar has a special larger tailpiece with extra sustain compared to a regular Telecaster Tailpiece, which might be a subtle and often overlooked detail about D. Boon's Gear Tone.

Fender don't seem to have reissued the tailpiece since its original manufacturing run. It seems as though there are at least 3 versions of the tailpiece; first, the one that appeared n this guitar. Second, a Brass version that was sold under the then available "Fender Brassworks" line. Third, there was a chrome plated version which is seen on D. Boon's modified Telecaster Deluxe (or Telecaster Custom.)

This Black Telecaster Collector's Edition Guitar is seen at the top of the page at this article at PremierGuitar, in the shot that's supposed to be from Mid-February 1984: https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/forgotten-heroes-d-boon

See how Paul Reynolds uses Fender Telecaster Black and Gold 1981

Paul Reynolds

Guitarist, Composer

A Flock of Seagulls

...
Verified via Photo

Paul Reynolds is seen playing a 1981 Fender Telecaster Black and Gold in a user-uploaded photo from the "The More You Live, the More You Love" era.

R

Ryan Wilson

Guitarist

One Less Reason

...
Verified via Photo

Here Ryan can be seen playing a Fender Telecaster. with a black body, gold pickguard and single coils in the bridge and neck positions.

Genre Usage

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

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