The 1951 Telecaster was the first year of the blackguard Tele, after the Broadcaster name had to be dropped, and this one follows it closely. An ash body in Butterscotch Blonde under gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, a 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, two Pure Vintage '51 single-coils and a serialized 3-saddle bridge with brass barrel saddles.
The neck is the thing to know about. A one-piece maple '51 "U" that fills the hand, with a 7.25" radius and vintage tall frets. That round radius feels natural for open chords. Big bends high up can fret out unless the action is set a little higher. Period details are kept, down to the narrow dot spacing at the 12th fret and a Phillips screw only at the truss rod nut. The three brass saddles pair strings, so intonation is a compromise, as on the originals.
For the same pickups on a modern neck, see the American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster. Available left-handed as well as right.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Ash
Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Telecaster
Pickguard: 1-Ply Black Phenolic
NECK
Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
Neck Construction: 4-Bolt
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1951 "U"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Side Dots: Black
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Vintage Tall
Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Pure Vintage '51 Single-Coil Tele
Neck Pickup: Pure Vintage '51 Single-Coil Tele
Pickup Configuration: SS
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
HARDWARE
Bridge: Pure Vintage 3-Saddle Tele with Brass Barrel Saddles, Serialized
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Pure Vintage Single Line "Fender Deluxe"
Pickup Covers: Neck: Chrome; Bridge: Black
Control Knobs: Knurled Dome
Strap Buttons: Vintage-Style
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Included: Vintage-Style Tweed (Crushed Red Interior)