Seventy years ago, in fall 1951, the Fender Telecaster was born. Inspired by new technology sweeping the nation, television “telecasts” were the wave of the future and, as history has proven most powerfully, Leo Fender’s new Telecaster was also part of that wave. It was and remains to this day one of the most played, most iconic and most revered instruments in popular music.

For 2021, the Custom Shop presents an homage to the original Telecaster model that had such a dramatic effect on music and the electric guitar world. The Limited Edition 1951 Telecaster is available in six distinct aging packages—NOS, Deluxe Closet Classic, Journeyman Relic®, Relic, Heavy Relic and Super Heavy Relic—and features a two-piece select ash body, a one-piece AA flame quartersawn maple neck with a 10/’56 “V” profile, and a 7.25”-9.5” vintage compound-radius fingerboard with 21 narrow tall frets for perfect feel and playability. The hand-wound ’50-’51 Blackguard pickups are connected to ’51 modified “Nocaster®” wiring (similar to the original, with blender pot and brighter rhythm setting in the neck position). Other features include a black phenolic pickguard, ’51-’54 Tele bridge with brass saddles, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, and disk string tree. Also includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.