The
Fender Telecaster, or "
Tele", has the
distinction of being the first
mass-produced solid-body electric guitar.
It is equipped with a 21-fret bolt-on neck, and a single-cutaway body. There are two pickups; an angled bridge pickup mounted to the bridge plate, and a non-angled neck pickup. Both are single coil.
The controls on a Telecaster are very simple - a three-way selector switch, a tone knob, and a volume knob, all of which are mounted in a chrome fascia below the bridge.
The Telecaster is a very versatile guitar. Although closely associated with country, blues, and roots-rock, they have found application in all kinds of popular music. Jimmy Page, best known for his use of the Gibson Les Paul guitar, is rumored to have made extensive use of a Tele in the studio. The Tele's simple controls, comfortable shape, and wide range of tones have endeared it to many musicians.
Some artists known for using Telecasters:
The Telecaster is also
manufactured as a
semi-hollow body guitar - this is called a
Thinline.