ELECTRICIZED

Fender Wallpaper Telecaster

1968-1969
Alder, Maple

Fender wanted to give the Telecaster a popularity boost among the then important Hippie community. To do so, Leo issued two Telecaster models with a psychedelic touch. One had a blue floral pattern, the other one a pink paisley. That cheap move didn’t convey enough flower power to pump up the sales and the production of the nicknamed ‘Wallpaper’ telecaster got stopped a year after its introduction.

It took a rockabilly guitarist to immortalize the model — Well not any rockabilly guitarist, we’re talking about the Master of the Telecaster, James Burton. Since Burton brought the Pink Paisley to fame, several reissues of that telly have been produced in the last two decades. Hear Burton make it swing.

If you can afford it, it’s for sale

Fender TC-90

2004-2007
Ash, Maple, Rosewood

Ever tried to pull a Gibson sound from a Telecaster? Perhaps this thinline TC-90 and its two Seymour Duncan P90s could help.

Double cutaway, neck-through, the Korean made TC-90 is not your average Tele, but according to Scott Grove, it “smokes the american stuff”. The Jim Adkins model (JA-90) released in 2007 is originally a single cutaway version of the TC-90.

Photo by terminal3

Mike Oldfield Fender Telecaster

1966

The most popular instrumental rock of all time (and first record ever released by Virgin) was recorded using this guitar. In fact, it was the only six string used for the entire album. I’m talking about Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, of course.

This 1966 Fender Telecaster was originally blonde, and the property of Marc Bolan. An extra Bill Lawrence pickup was added to the classic Tele configration.

The guitar went up for auction in 2007, but didn’t reach the reserve price. Hear it

And for those of you who can’t decide between a Strat and a Tele, how about this 2002 Fender Gold Sparkle Doublecaster?

What you didn’t see at NAMM: One of the three hand painted telecasters by artist Matt W. Moore.

Beauty shot for this 2007 ‘Red Molly’ Custom T from California luthier James Russel.

The famous 1968 Rosewood Telecaster, otherwise known as George Harrisson’s “let it be” guitar.

1990 Fender Telecaster Thinline “Bajo Sexto” Baritone guitar. Probably unique Prototype of the Bajo Sexto (not thinline) that would be produced between 1992 and 1998.

LMG-T as in Liquid Metal Guitar - Telecaster (lefty version.) Bears its name well.

Joe Strummer’s 1966 Fender Telecaster (in its 1976 configuration) NOISE!

Jimmy Page’s Dragon Telecaster.

1958

Jeff Beck gave it to Jimmy who painted the dragon. Next time you listen to Stairway to Heaven solo, think about that guitar.

David Gilmour with his 59 Custom Telecaster.

The Telecaster was at first used on “Animals” and had PAF humbucker neck pickup. The PAF was then replaced with a single coil during the 1977 Animals tour. 

Thanks to @scarecrowman for the top image