The Telecaster® was in high demand in the early 1960s, with new custom colors and a flat “slab” rosewood fingerboard. Once thought to be eventually phased out after the arrival of the Jazzmaster® (1958) and before the Jaguar® (1962), it became clear to Fender that the Telecaster was destined to stay. After countless stage and studio appearances throughout the decades, its design purity, workhorse simplicity and distinctively snappy tone remain as vital as ever today

The Time Machine 1961 Telecaster Relic® honors that year’s model, with original features and a few slight modifications to improve the overall playing experience. The two-piece select alder body has a Thin Relic lacquer finish and three-ply nitro mint green pickguard. The quartersawn maple neck has a comfortable “oval-C” profile and smooth unfinished back for streamlined feel and seamless play, topped by a 9.5”-radius flat-lam rosewood fretboard with 21 narrow tall frets. Hand-wound Texas Special™ pickups serve up spicy hot Tele tone, and modern Tele wiring with Greasebucket™ tone circuit lets players roll off highs while preserving midrange tone and without adding bass. Other features include a '61 Telecaster bridge with threaded saddles, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut and single “wing” string tree. Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.