How can you not love the Telecaster?

I’ve always loved the Telecaster. Since about the time I started playing the guitar (which was a few years ago now…) I’ve loved that guitar. I’ve always wanted a “Tele”.

Springsteen played the Telecaster

Way back in 1976 is when I discovered–or at least really noticed–the Telecaster. That was the year I became captivated by Bruce Springsteen‘s Born to Run album. That was–and perhaps remains–my favorite album. And there on the cover is Springsteen with what draped around his shoulder? A Fender Esquire.

Wait, what’s that got to do with the Telecaster? Actually, Springsteen’s guitar is a bit Esquire (the neck and head) and a bit Telecaster (the body), but aside from the name on the head stock, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was all Telecaster. I’ll leave the history of the Tele to another time (or to someone else). Anyway, I fell for the Telecaster and that never went away.

Several of my favorite players use it

Later, I found out that many of my favorite players slung the Telecaster. Paul Burlison, Danny Gatton, James Burton, and the list goes on. That guitar shines in playing everything from Blues to country to metal. No compromises, no apologies. It’s a simple workhorse and always sounds great.

And it just looks so beautiful!

Not everyone loves the Telecaster

So it genuinely baffles me when I hear or read people say that they hate the way the guitar looks. They say it’s plain and ugly.

I can’t even understand it. To me, its simplicity is its beauty. Its narrow head stock looks so elegant compared to a Stratocaster and other Fender models.

And the sound. Well, it’s just iconic. Even though there’s nothing complicated about its construction, that simple guitar is capable of an amazingly wide variety of sounds. That’s what makes it so versatile and suitable for so many different types of music.

Of course, many people think of county music when they think of the Tele. And it really does own that genre. But it fits into so many other genres too. Prince played one. Jimmy Page is known for his use of the Les Paul, but he played the Tele on the first couple of Led Zeppelin records. It spans the musical gamut.

The Telecaster will always be for me

I do have my own Telecaster, which I’ve had since it was new in 1989. Actually, I think I got it in 1990, but it’s an ’89. You can see me with it in the music video for the song “Endlessly” on my Video page and the picture on Music page.

I’m not really a “gear slut” like a lot of guys are. But the Telecaster is stuck to me. I’ve tried to get rid of it a couple of different times for different reasons, but couldn’t pull the trigger. I might some day…but only if it’s to pick up a different Tele that suits me even better.

What difference does all this make? I don’t know. Probably none. I was just thinking about it, that’s all.