Description: 1954/1955 Fender Telecaster (Tele) guitar
Collectibility Rating: B+
Production: no official (or unofficial) production numbers available.
General Comments:
The Fender Telecaster guitar is one of the most popular solidbody electric guitar ever made, and is the solidbody guitar that started it all. Early models (pre-1965, known as "pre-CBS" models, since CBS bought Fender in January 1965) are the most collectible. Originality and condition are the two most important features of a vintage Fender guitar, and Fender Telecaster, Nocaster, Broadcaster, and Esquires (Teles) do seem to have been easily modified (due to their "bolt together" nature).

Serial number range for the 1954 Fender Telecaster are generally 0100 to 6000 (stamped into the rear metal neck plate). Early 1954 Teles can still have the old style serial number stamped on the bridge plate (0100 to 5500). The 1955 Fender Telecaster will generally have a serial number range of 6000 to 9000 (stamped on the neck plate). If you need to figure out the exact year of your pre-CBS Fender Telecaster, use the serial number and the general features of the guitar. See the Fender Serial Number Info web page for help determining the year.

If you have a vintage pre-CBS Fender Telecaster (Tele) guitar for sale, please let me know. I am a private vintage guitar collector (not a store), and you can contact me at cfh@provide.net

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Summer 1954 Fender Telecaster guitar specs:

• Serial number on neck plate.
• Blond body finish has a more whitish look than the earlier "butterscotch" finish. In reality, the body finish was probably applied no differently, but the type of clear lacquer used to clearcoat does not yellow as much This gives mid-1954 and later Teles a more whitish blond look, instead of butterscotch. Because of the more whitish look, a distinct "halo" can be seen around the edge of the body that is less translucent (this halo was present on the earlier butterscotch finishes, but it was far less noticable). The halo was used to hide the side grain of multi-piece bodies, because Fender could easily match the face grain, but it was difficult to match the side grain.
• White single layer ABS pickguard .060" thick with matte backside replaces black pickguard.
• Bridge saddles change from 5/16" brass to 1/4" steel smooth saddles with rough finished ends. Also the angle of the string height screws changed to be about 45 degrees.
• Daka-Ware "Top Hat" style switch tip starts to be used instead of the round tip.
• "D" neck/body stamp is largely not seen after 1954 (except on an occassional neck up 1957).
• Case changes to a rectangle tweed case.

Mid 1955 Fender Telecaster guitar specs:

• Staggered pole pickup magnets replace the previous "flat pole" pickup in the treble position.
• Sunburst finish done on a small batch of Telecasters, and then discontinued.
• Body date moved from neck pocket to under lead pickup (late 1955).
• "Top Hat" style switch tip used exclusively.
• White pickguard now has a shiney backside.