Why is the Fender Telecaster important to the history of the electric guitar?

The Fender Telecaster was the first – and many still insist, is the definitive – mass-produced solidbody electric guitar. Here, the people who introduced it to the world and helped turn it into an enduring musical icon tell the remarkable story of its creation…

Why are 60s guitars better?

Final cut. If they suit your style, there’s some basis for suggesting that 1950s and early 60s electric guitars remain largely unsurpassed. I’d suggest this is a combination of comfortable weight, sublime neck profiles, superior hardware and pickups that have never been bettered.

Why did guitars get more expensive?

Quality Control. One of the biggest reasons why expensive guitars cost so much, is because they have gone through an extensive quality control procedure. In order to make sure that the guitar is setup properly, and the materials are of high quality, they must all be checked thoroughly.

What was the main reason for developing an electric guitar?

Thus, the major motivation that drove the creation of the electric guitar was instrumentalists’ desire for greater volume. Predecessors of the modern electric guitar were amplified acoustic guitars crudely modified by inventors who attached wires, magnets, and other “pickup” attachments.

Which came first Telecaster or Stratocaster?

Leo Fender and his team in Fullerton, California, began work on the guitar that would become the Telecaster back in 1949. After a dispute with Gretsch, Fender rechristened its new guitar the Telecaster in 1952 and it’s been in production ever since. The Stratocaster was born in 1954.

When was the Telecaster model introduced?

1950
The Fender Telecaster was developed by Leo Fender in Fullerton, California, in 1950. In the period roughly between 1932 and 1949, several craftsmen and companies experimented with solid-body electric guitars, but none had made a significant impact on the market.

Why do older electric guitars sound better?

Older guitars often sound better than newer ones as they dry out over time which causes them to become harder leading to a more resonant tone with better sustain. The increase in age affects the tone more in acoustic guitars than electric ones.

Do electric guitars improve with age?

No, electric guitars do not sound better with age. The electric guitar sound doesn’t change much over the years. What changes is that the player gets familiar with the instrument and able to find those “sweet spots” that will produce a much richer sound. Thus making us believe that the sound changed over the years.

Why Gibson guitars are so expensive?

The main reason why Gibson guitars are expensive is that they are made in the USA. All their three factories are located in cities where the workers have relativity high wages. As the result, the guitars must be sold at a higher price.

Why are some stratocasters more expensive?

The main reason why a US-made Stratocaster is pricier is because of its superior tone and quality control. Mexican Stratocasters are of great quality as well and with enough time and patience, you’ll be sure to find an excellent MIM Strat.

Why did Leo Fender leave fender?

1970 – Music Man and G&L In the 1950s, Leo Fender contracted a streptococcal sinus infection that impaired his health to the point where he decided to wind up his business affairs, selling the Fender company to CBS in 1965.

When were electric guitars first used?

Invented in 1932, the electric guitar was adopted by jazz guitar players, who wanted to play single-note guitar solos in large big band ensembles. Early proponents of the electric guitar on record include Les Paul, Lonnie Johnson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, T-Bone Walker, and Charlie Christian.

Are tele and Stratocaster guitars still popular?

Amazingly, traditional versions of the Stratocaster and Telecaster have gone largely unchanged for more than 60 years, and their popularity shows no signs of waning. While Fender has made several iterations of both guitars over the years, here is a breakdown of what separates is thought of a traditional Tele and Strat.

What was the original name of the Telecaster guitar?

In 1949 the guitar we now know today as the Fender Telecaster was first put into production but at that time it was called the Broadcaster! Unfortunately there was already another musical instrument manufacturer using the similar name; Broadkaster for a range of drums, so Fender decided to rename the design to the Telecaster.

Why did Fender make the Telecaster so popular?

Fender and its new Telecaster guitar were ideally placed to take advantage of all of this, because Fender didn’t belong to the stodgy old world of high-end guitar craft. Fender was brash, young, innovative and West Coast; not old, staid and East Coast.

Who invented the Spanish-style electric guitar?

Although electrified guitars had been around in various forms since the 1920s, Leo Fender and his inner circle had labored mightily throughout the close of the 1940s and the earliest dawn of the new decade to design and perfect something that really didn’t exist before—a mass-produced solid-body Spanish-style electric guitar.