My Favorite Tele Image

Mike Eskimo · November 17th, 2008, 11:33 PM

From the Fender big book (sorry - picture of a picture and overly complicated digital camera).

A visitor to the Fender factory plays one of Leo's first Esquires w/ his ladyfriend in the summer of 1950.

Look at the Jensen boxes, look at the amp, look at the thumbpick, look at her belt, look at his Buddy Guy shirt, AND he's wearing shoots !

But mainly, just look at that guitar...

boris bubbanov · November 18th, 2008, 12:48 AM

That is a great one.

We tend to think of the postwar folks my dad's age as conformists.

But the musicians? Of course not.

Rooney · November 18th, 2008, 01:05 AM

It almost looks like there's a hole in the pickguard for a neck pickup... maybe even filled with a neck pickup. Anyone else see that?

Rumblebones · November 18th, 2008, 01:07 AM

CLASSIC! (That's so good, I'm gonna copy and paste.)

Westerly Sunn · November 18th, 2008, 01:11 AM

Did ya' really think you had to tell me to look at her belt? I had already scoped her her out purty good...

Telewilly · November 18th, 2008, 01:43 AM

Shoots! LOL! And they look like they're flamed!

1charger69 · November 18th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westerly Sunn

Did ya' really think you had to tell me to look at her belt? I had already scoped her her out purty good...

cause ya know.... those where the days before bikini waxin!!!!! can anyone say..70s style......

dagenhamjim · November 18th, 2008, 05:42 AM

Great picture! It would be interesting to know what the couple in the picture are doing now!

Tim73 · November 18th, 2008, 05:52 AM

Goes to show what a timeless image the guitar is becoming

Steve G · November 18th, 2008, 07:22 AM

More ol' fender pics please!

Troy T. Blues · November 18th, 2008, 09:21 AM

That's the greatest! Thanks for that!

Back when life was more simple and genuine.

viking · November 18th, 2008, 10:42 AM

No truss rod plug ? Never saw one of them before....

Turtletwang · November 18th, 2008, 11:51 AM

The Pink Floyd

crazydiamond03.jpg

twangcaster1 · November 18th, 2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viking

No truss rod plug ? Never saw one of them before....

Some of them early esquires didn't have truss rods at all.

viking · November 18th, 2008, 02:29 PM

I know , never seen one before...

Old Cane · November 18th, 2008, 02:32 PM

Both cool pictures.

Sterling Indigo · November 18th, 2008, 02:36 PM

KUH-LASSIC! Argyle socks and huge ole cuffs on those dungarees.

Steinar G · November 18th, 2008, 02:37 PM

What a fantastic photo - thanks Mike!

B Valley · November 18th, 2008, 02:41 PM

Even back then, guitars players were getting all the best chicks. It's the love of guitars and women that have been the source of some of the best times in my life, and a few of the worst.

Steinar G · November 18th, 2008, 02:54 PM

Wait a minute - the guitar is black? I've always been under the impression that they were all blondes back then?
Oh well, I'm probably wrong again, another illusion crushed under the heel of photographic evidence......

Mark Davis · November 18th, 2008, 03:12 PM

When first announced in June of 1950 (but available a bit earlier) as Fender's first electric solidbody, the Esquire was a available with either one or two pickups (actually the "single Esquire" with one pickup was available first), a black pine laminated body, a white pickguard, steel bridge saddles. Body shape was the standard "Telecaster" body shape, but only 1.5" thick (instead of the normal 1.75" thick). After the first few examples were made, the finish changed to butterscotch blond on a solid ash body and a black pickguard, and later two pickups (known as the "Double Esquire"). Most 1950 Single Esquires had no truss rod (no contrasting strip down back of maple neck). Though there are at least two 1950 single pickup butterscotch Esquires with a truss rod.

Approximately sixty 1950 Esquires were shipped, though Fender had orders for hundreds at the time. And many early examples with no truss rod were returned to Fender for neck and/or body replacements (but the parts were kept). The reason? Without a truss rod many necks warped (or the owners thought they would warp in the future). Often the body was replaced too because the original non-truss rod Esquire body did not have the truss rod adjustment route between the neck pocket and the neck pickup. Or sometimes the truss rod adjustment route was hand chiseled. If the body wasn't replaced or chiseled, the truss rod could only be adjusted if the neck was removed. This is why surviving examples of the original no-skunk-stripe (no truss rod) Esquires are difficult to find.
The Esquire only lasted in this form until the Broadcaster replaced it in October of 1950. The Esquire was re-introduced in January 1951 as a one pickup version of the Broadcaster (Telecaster), with a truss rod and brass bridge saddles (note I have seen a January 1951 Esquire that had *two* pickups, and the guitar appeared to be stock, but by February 1951, one pickup was the norm for the Esquire).

November 17th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike Eskimo Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 939	My Favorite Tele Image From the Fender big book (sorry - picture of a picture and overly complicated digital camera). A visitor to the Fender factory plays one of Leo's first Esquires w/ his ladyfriend in the summer of 1950. Look at the Jensen boxes, look at the amp, look at the thumbpick, look at her belt, look at his Buddy Guy shirt, AND he's wearing shoots ! But mainly, just look at that guitar...

November 18th, 2008, 12:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 12,794	That is a great one. We tend to think of the postwar folks my dad's age as conformists. But the musicians? Of course not. __________________ Bubbanov

November 18th, 2008, 01:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Westerly Sunn Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. North Carolina Posts: 1,374 34 Photos	Did ya' really think you had to tell me to look at her belt? I had already scoped her her out purty good... __________________ My white hairs had you fooled, didn't they, son? Yes, Sir! Ha! Drive on!!!

November 18th, 2008, 01:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Telewilly Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Katmandoo Posts: 479	Shoots! LOL! And they look like they're flamed! __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Don't blame me....I'm just a product of my environment.

November 18th, 2008, 05:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tim73 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkshire, England Age: 36 Posts: 2,385 19 Photos	Goes to show what a timeless image the guitar is becoming __________________ Born in the '70's & in my mind, still living there now...

November 18th, 2008, 01:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rooney Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 248	It almost looks like there's a hole in the pickguard for a neck pickup... maybe even filled with a neck pickup. Anyone else see that?

November 18th, 2008, 01:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rumblebones Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fullerton, CA. Posts: 291	CLASSIC! (That's so good, I'm gonna copy and paste.)

November 18th, 2008, 05:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
dagenhamjim Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield Sth Yorks UK Posts: 196	Great picture! It would be interesting to know what the couple in the picture are doing now!

November 18th, 2008, 07:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Steve G Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LeeK (England) Age: 33 Posts: 2,170 64 Photos	More ol' fender pics please! __________________ "He was a drinkin' man with a guitar problem..." http://www.myspace.com/stevegiddings http://www.myspace.com/hiandlonesome

November 18th, 2008, 09:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
Troy T. Blues TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Age: 42 Posts: 53	That's the greatest! Thanks for that! Back when life was more simple and genuine.

November 18th, 2008, 10:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
viking Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denmark Age: 43 Posts: 638	No truss rod plug ? Never saw one of them before....

November 18th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
Turtletwang Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 196	The Pink Floyd crazydiamond03.jpg

November 18th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
viking Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denmark Age: 43 Posts: 638	I know , never seen one before...

November 18th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
Old Cane Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 47 Posts: 2,002	Both cool pictures. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/otiskeithwatkins

November 18th, 2008, 02:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
Sterling Indigo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East Lansing Posts: 1,089	KUH-LASSIC! Argyle socks and huge ole cuffs on those dungarees.

November 18th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
Steinar G Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Norway Age: 50 Posts: 281	What a fantastic photo - thanks Mike! __________________ "Play to express, not to impress" Website - MySpace - YouTube

November 18th, 2008, 02:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
B Valley Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 1,161	Even back then, guitars players were getting all the best chicks. It's the love of guitars and women that have been the source of some of the best times in my life, and a few of the worst. __________________ How many guitars is enough? Just one more...

November 18th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
Steinar G Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Norway Age: 50 Posts: 281	Wait a minute - the guitar is black? I've always been under the impression that they were all blondes back then? Oh well, I'm probably wrong again, another illusion crushed under the heel of photographic evidence...... __________________ "Play to express, not to impress" Website - MySpace - YouTube

November 18th, 2008, 03:12 PM	#21 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 15,548	When first announced in June of 1950 (but available a bit earlier) as Fender's first electric solidbody, the Esquire was a available with either one or two pickups (actually the "single Esquire" with one pickup was available first), a black pine laminated body, a white pickguard, steel bridge saddles. Body shape was the standard "Telecaster" body shape, but only 1.5" thick (instead of the normal 1.75" thick). After the first few examples were made, the finish changed to butterscotch blond on a solid ash body and a black pickguard, and later two pickups (known as the "Double Esquire"). Most 1950 Single Esquires had no truss rod (no contrasting strip down back of maple neck). Though there are at least two 1950 single pickup butterscotch Esquires with a truss rod. Approximately sixty 1950 Esquires were shipped, though Fender had orders for hundreds at the time. And many early examples with no truss rod were returned to Fender for neck and/or body replacements (but the parts were kept). The reason? Without a truss rod many necks warped (or the owners thought they would warp in the future). Often the body was replaced too because the original non-truss rod Esquire body did not have the truss rod adjustment route between the neck pocket and the neck pickup. Or sometimes the truss rod adjustment route was hand chiseled. If the body wasn't replaced or chiseled, the truss rod could only be adjusted if the neck was removed. This is why surviving examples of the original no-skunk-stripe (no truss rod) Esquires are difficult to find. The Esquire only lasted in this form until the Broadcaster replaced it in October of 1950. The Esquire was re-introduced in January 1951 as a one pickup version of the Broadcaster (Telecaster), with a truss rod and brass bridge saddles (note I have seen a January 1951 Esquire that had two pickups, and the guitar appeared to be stock, but by February 1951, one pickup was the norm for the Esquire). __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.