Early ’60s Fender Telecasters are legendary, but what really changed between 1959 and 1964? From rosewood “slab boards” and “veneers” to pickguard and hardware tweaks, we break down the details that shaped the classic early-’60s Tele look and sound. We’ll also highlight the famous players who made these Teles iconic, from country twang masters to R&B pioneers, and explore why 1961–1964 Telecasters are relatively rare compared to other Pre-CBS years. Support the show
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Early ’60s Fender Telecasters are legendary, but what really changed between 1959 and 1964? From rosewood “slab boards” and “veneers” to pickguard and hardware tweaks, we break down the details that shaped the classic early-’60s Tele look and sound. We’ll also highlight the famous players who made these Teles iconic, from country twang masters to R&B pioneers, and explore why 1961–1964 Telecasters are relatively rare compared to other Pre-CBS years. Support the show
Rosewood Fretboard Telecasters: Tone, Feel & History
Ask Zac
20 minutes
2 months ago
Rosewood Fretboard Telecasters: Tone, Feel & History
When Fender switched the Telecaster from one-piece maple necks to rosewood fingerboards in 1959, the guitar’s sound and feel changed forever. In this video, I take a close look at the history of rosewood-board Telecasters, why Fender made the switch, and what makes them unique. I’ll also share my theory: it’s not just the rosewood itself, but the stiffness of the rosewood plus maple neck construction that really changes the tone compared to an all-maple neck. That extra rigidity shapes the a...
Ask Zac
Early ’60s Fender Telecasters are legendary, but what really changed between 1959 and 1964? From rosewood “slab boards” and “veneers” to pickguard and hardware tweaks, we break down the details that shaped the classic early-’60s Tele look and sound. We’ll also highlight the famous players who made these Teles iconic, from country twang masters to R&B pioneers, and explore why 1961–1964 Telecasters are relatively rare compared to other Pre-CBS years. Support the show
