Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster Left-Hand Guitar, Maple Fretboard, Butterscotch Blonde

Player's Perspective

As premier Fender dealers, we're beyond excited to present this left-handed 1951 Telecaster reissue in the iconic Butterscotch Blonde finish Transparent from the new American Vintage II line! The new American Vintage II series brings back the original "American Vintage Reissue (AVRI)" of old with improved upon pickup design, more accurate neck shapes, and other period-correct specs. A lot of us here at the shop grew up lusting after those guitars and we're glad to finally get these into our hands years later.

1951 was the first year the Telecaster really came into its own as we know it today, after several early iterations known as the Broadcaster and Nocaster. Featuring smooth-sounding Alnico single-coil pickups, a lacquer-finished 1-ply black pickguard, and a hefty "U"-shaped 1-piece maple neck, the Telecaster in this classic configuration quickly found its way onto millions of records. 

As mentioned, this is a lefty model for the southpaw six-string slingers out there. The '51 U neck shape is meaty to say the least, but it still manages to feel supremely comfortable and player-friendly with all the vintage mojo you can ask for. The swamp ash body is phenomenally resonant, and it pairs nicely with the maple neck to give the guitar a bright, clear voice that is easy on your back, as well - the light wood results in a nice 7.5 lb weight. 

Early 50s Tele pickups, which these Pure Vintage '51s nail to the "T" (see what I did there?), tend to be very smooth and piano-like whilst originating the brassy "twang" that made this guitar famous. There's really no other way to describe the sound of these pickups other than "classic". The output level is just right and exactly what you expect - it's the Tele sound you hear in your head, without question.

For a faithful reissue of one of the Tele's most iconic eras, this AVRI II 1951 model is the way to go - this is the classic Fender Telecaster, pure and unadulterated.

Item Specifics

Just one year after launching the Broadcaster®, Fender received a cease-and-desist telegram from the Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co. and was faced with renaming its flagship electric guitar. Taking inspiration from the booming growth and expansive reach of television, the first blackguard Telecaster rolled off the line in late 1951, and the model has been in continuous production ever since. Deceptively simple and totally groundbreaking, the Telecaster® brought the solid body electric guitar to the masses, inspiring countless musicians along the way.

The American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster features an ash body finished in Butterscotch Blonde to capture the tone and look of the original. The substantial ‘51 “U”-shaped hard rock maple neck plays like a dream with a 7.25” radius fingerboard and vintage tall frets. Characteristic of production in 1951, 12th fret face-dot spacing is narrow and the sole Phillips-head fastener on the guitar is at the truss rod nut. The triple brass saddle bridge, single-line “Fender Deluxe” tuners and Pure Vintage ‘51 Telecaster pickups deliver classic twang and authentic Fender style.