Who owns the first Fender telecaster ever made?

[JollyJackTar]

This guitarist apparently also owns the second and fourth ones too.

Can anyone help?

[Jim L]

I think that David Gilmour's tele (as seen on the cover of his second solo record) was one of the first teles... it actually might have originally been a "broadcaster"...

[Dave Yeats]

There was a prototype in '49.
Two-pickup pine-bodied esquires in '50.
Broadcaster (production model w/ truss rod) introduced in '50 (with serial numbers) about 200 made.
Nocasters starting and ending in '51.
First "Telecaster" decals later in '51.

So it depends on whether or not you're talking 1st, 2nd and 4th with the "Telecaster" name or Broadcasters or something else.

I always heard that Broadcaster serial number #0001 was given to Jimmy Bryant by Leo, but I don't think that he had #2 and #4.

Are you talking current owner or original owner?

[JollyJackTar]

The full question is as follows:

"Which millionaire guitarist owns the first, second and fourth Fender Telecasters ever made - the third being used on Kings of Leons debut album?"

[TeleGeir]

That would almost have to be Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder and hobby guitarist.) Though "millionaire" is an understatement in that regard.

Geir :)

[Lane in MS]

I know Gilmour has the Strat with serial number 0001, but I don't know about his Teles. Where did the question come from? I saw something about Kings of Leon this morning on MTV (there's actually decent stuff on MTV before about 7:30am). I believed they signed a deal with RCA, if that helps track down the elusive owner.

[Slim]

I think it's still underneath my uncle's bed, let me go check...

I'd like to know who's currently in possesion of the Bigsby Merle Travis guitar. I would imagine that that guitar, besides maybe one of John Lennon's first Ric's, would be like owning the Ark of The Covenant.

[threadbare]

Not sure who owns that Bigsby your talking about, but I would like to think I saw it at the country music hall of fame, but I could be wrong. I saw so many wonderful instruments that day, I thought I had died and gone to Hillbilly Heaven.

[jvc]

David Gilmour's Strat, #0001, was not the first Strat made, even he admits that. Some early Strats have neck dates which pre-date his 0001. Remember, Fender serial numbers were not in order. For example, some 53 Teles have LOWER serial numbers than some 52s. jvc

[Cooper]

i think i saw it on eBay.

"first telecaster ever made. THIS IS FOR REAL!!!1"

[Slim]

i think i saw it on eBay.

"first telecaster ever made. THIS IS FOR REAL!!!1"

Yeah, and let me guess, the seller "has no way of testing to see if it works"!

[0le FUZZY]

Impossable tew know--------

Who owns the first Fender telecaster ever made?

Because tew know that yew wood haff tew know who bought it in the first place and cents the bridge numbers were scrambled beyond sorting by March or April 1951 when the "TELECASTER" waz put onna headstock and folks that bought em were nunbers only in Fender records, no one will ever know which number waz sold first as a "TELECASTER",

Take yer pick--0001 threw 5000-sumthin, which one waz drawn outta the bin and placed onna new-named TELECASTER?

It will never be known I kin gar-on-tee!! (er mebby not HEE! HEE!)

[GeertS]

Read in Guitar Player May 1998:
The first prototype Esquire was made by Leo Fender with help of George Fullerton in 1949.
No ash or alder but laminated pinewood was used for this early model. Leo's innovations like the solid body, the Telecaster shape, the detachable maple neck, and the combination pickup/bridge assembly all came together to make this instrument the first true Fender guitar. Courtesy Fender Museum, Fullerton, CA.

I have a picture of this guitar. Sadly it is impossible to include a JPG in this message.

[jvc]

I'm not sure if the question referred to the prototype, which is well known, many pictures and history available. The question was , who owns the first Telecaster? The Fender Museum does NOT own either prototype (actually there were 2 made, I have photos of both). jvc

[JollyJackTar]

..given by the NME Quiz was Dave Gilmour!!

I went for Paul Allen!!!

[Jim Barth]

Dave Crocker of Fly by Night owns (or used to own) the prototype pictured on page 9 of the tele book.

Dave is one of the folks who sponser the Arlington Guitar Show as well as the California shows.

[Plastics71]

I'm gonna go with David Gilmour, too. I think the '84 edition of "The Guitar Handbook" says this among other books that I happen to have home (I'm writing this from the office).
But I don't think it's on the cover of his second solo album About Face. According to various sources, the first teles (or "broads") I believe were all of the blonde variety. On the cover he's holding a well-worn sunburst, which he was also seen playing in the video for "Blue Light"
GREAT album & song though. I remember cranking up my 10 watt Crate (!), setting the DOD delay between the 4 and 5 notches and working on that riff...
ahhhhh youth.

[Impala]

an Esquire which he used when he played with Paul McCartney for his old time Rock'n'Roll record (I have it but can't recall the name right now)...

[Slim]

Hey Jim, didn't Dave Crocker used to have his store in Neosho, MO? There was a Fly By Night vintage guitar store there...is it the same guy?

[Pvee]

I bought a truck from this small shop and the owner was talking about when he played in bands years ago, but hurt his hand a long time ago and couldn't play anymore.
SO I ask, " How old is this Guitar".
He said I bought it new around 1950. I said, What kind of guitar? He said it's a Fender.
I said, I got to see that next time I come up. and He said , I'll drag it out from under the bed and look at it.

next time I was there he said, "I lied to you about that Guitar, It's a Gibson, two pickups."

I told him it's probably worth a lot of money if in good shape.

He said it's about like new, except dusty.

You just never know.

[spyder]

Ho...I know who owns *one* of the 1st Telecaster/ Broadcasters...he used to be a regular on this site....don't see him much anymore...he probably still checks in once in awhile.....won't say who it is....most of the regulars on the old board would recogize his name...I've got photos of the axe....infact got one of 'em right here in my office (such as it is)....although this individual is primarily a LP man....hes particularly fond of the Fender because of the look, feel and sound....says its tone is like no other hes heard....who would know better than him?......later, spyder

[Impala]

Originally Posted by Slim

Hey Jim, didn't Dave Crocker used to have his store in Neosho, MO? There was a Fly By Night vintage guitar store there...is it the same guy?

that's him......

[sunkidd]

Just wondering?

[Impala]

one of the pinewood bodies from around '48 or '49 if I recall correctly.