Fender Telecaster Blonde Refin 1951 Fender

Initially named the Broadcaster, this ’51 Blackguard is the earliest model to bear the name Telecaster. Gretsch successfully sued Leo Fender for the use of the “Broadcaster” name, forcing him to cut it off a portion of the guitar’s headstock decal. That unnamed model became known as the “No-Caster” for a time, until, because of the newfound obsession with television, he dubbed it the Telecaster. The name stuck, and the rest is history. It’s one of the most iconic and long-standing body shapes of all electrics. That you can still buy something representative of the original design is a testament to its perfection. 

Summary

Finish: The body has been professionally refinished and aged by our good friends at Coop Guitars. The neck has been over-sprayed long ago.

Body Material: Ash Body

Body Details: Ash solid body, fully refinished and Aged by Coop Guitars.

Neck Material: Maple Neck

Fingerboard Material: Maple Fingerboard

Neck Profile: medium, soft “V”

Neck Thickness (IN): 1st- .85″ 12th- .93″

Fingerboard Radius: 7.25

Nut Width: 1-5/8 in

Neck Details: One piece maple neck with black dot inlays. The pencil date is very faint and illegible, but both neck heel and neck pocket are stamp with a “D”.

Electronics: The bridge pickup, selector switch, tone pot and capacitor are era correct. The bridge pickup has been rewound. The tone pot dates to 1951. The selector switch has two patent numbers and “Made in USA” stamped on the side. The volume pot and output jack have been replaced. The guitar has been rewired with the modern tele configuration: three way pickup selector and master volume and tone controls. The pickup has been replaced with a late 60s Tele pickup with plastic coated wire.

Pickup Measurements: neck 7.1k ohms bridge 6.7k ohms

Hardware: The control plate and knobs are consistent with the year. The guitar has all slotted screws. The switch tip is a correct Bakelite Dakaware part. The tuners are old Kluson single lines, consistent with later 50s Telecasters. The jack cup is not original. The bridge plate and serial number are not original.

Weight: 7 lbs 12.2 oz

Modifications / Repairs: -The body has been fully refinished and aged.
-The body had a route in the neck position and an enlargement of the control cavity. When guitar was professionally refinished, they filled in these routes and finished over them so that they are no longer visible.
-The bridge plate and serial number are not original. Bridge plate is modern reproduction with laser etched serial number.
-The finish on the neck appears to have been over-sprayed a long time ago. The headstock logo was also replaced with a period correct decal.
-The neck was refretted with large frets and the nut has been replaced.
-The tuners are not original, but are old parts consistent with later 50s Telecasters.
-There is a repaired crack through the headstock in line with the tuners. There are three dowels in the bass side of the headstock to reinforce this crack. Some wood putty has been worked into this crack repair (see pictures).
-There are numerous extra filled holes in the back of the headstock from different tuner foot prints.
-The neck pickup, volume knob and jack cup have been replaced.
-The original bridge pickup has been rewound.
-The wiring scheme has been changed to modern tele configuration.

Case Details: Vintage Fender tweed hard shell case.

Cosmetic Condition: The guitar has moderate play wear. The finish on the neck is well worn. When the body was refinished it was aged appropriately with the age of the instrument. The metal hardware is lightly tarnished.

Tech Notes: -The guitar plays well with low action. The frets are wide with medium height and minimal play wear.
-The serial number dates to 1951. The tone pot also dates to 1951. The original parts are consistent with 1951.