Exploring the Birth of Fender's Most ICONIC Guitars!

This is the first time CME has ever had first-year editions of Fender’s most enduring and iconic models under our roof, simultaneously!

Since this vintage Fender “Blackguard” electric guitar in Butterscotch Blonde was released in 1952—the year the “Telecaster” officially got its name—it means that, alongside the vintage 1954 Fender Stratocaster, both guitars you see in the CME YouTube video below represent awe-inspiring examples of Fender’s two most popular instrument designs from each model, both from each model’s debut year!

Watch the full video for the backstory behind both models (available for sale on consignment), then listen to how these amazing instruments sound in Nathaniel’s hands.
A Bit About Fender “Blackguards”
As you probably know, Leo Fender’s first “Blackguard” solidbody electric guitar design was
originally named the Broadcaster when it was first released in 1950. But, after he learned of the Gretsch Broadkaster drum line, the initial name was dropped off the headstock in 1951 (these are now commonly known as the Fender “Nocaster” models), until the model got its final name—the Fender “Telecaster”—in 1952. That makes this vintage 1952 Fender “Blackguard” electric guitar in Butterscotch Blonde a first-year Fender Telecaster!

How Joe Glazer Saved This “Blackguard” 1952 Fender Telecaster
As mentioned above, there’s a harrowing story behind how this “Blackguard” 1952 Fender Telecaster was saved from potential disaster after it came into contact with some water—although, neither the guitar nor the original case came into direct contact with standing water. The guitar was in a gig bag on one side of the couch, and water leaked into the room onto the couch’s opposite end. So, the couch was wet, and a tiny amount of moisture leaked into the base of the gig bag from the damp couch.

Luckily, the owner caught it right on time and immediately sent the ‘52 Tele to Joe Glaser, who expertly applied an ultra-thin layer of finish to preserve the original Butterscotch Blonde finish where it had begun away—which you wouldn’t even know from looking at it—saving the guitar from any potential corrosion by cleaning all external hardware and internal electronics.

How Bo Diddley Gave This First-Year Strat a Name
If you think the harrowing story about how this vintage, ultra-playable ‘52 Tele was saved from the rubbage pile, wait until you hear about how the ’54 Fender Stratocaster’s story allegedly connects Bo Diddley with the Beatles’ White Album, by way of Paul McCartney’s dog.

Watch the full video on YouTube now! To learn more about all the collectible vintage and used instruments available for sale at Chicago Music Exchange, call CME, chat with us online or in the app, or stop into our showroom today! And remember, we love trades!

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE!!

Shop Vintage Guitars Here! -
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/collections/electric-guitars-vintage

Do you own one of these pieces of gear? Want to sell or trade it for something new?
We buy and trade! - https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/pages/sell-and-trade-your-gear

DID YOU KNOW?
In 1952 this Telecaster would have cost $189.50 and in 1954 A Stratocaster would cost $249.50 and the non-vibrato model at $229.50.

Additional Gear Used:
1968 Fender Princeton Reverb

Recording Gear Used:
Universal Audio Apollo 8p
Universal Audio Apollo x8p
AEA N22 Ribbon Microphone (amp)
Shure KSM32 (room)

More Guitar Demos!
What if Gretsch made the TELECASTER!?? - https://youtu.be/7bdw3fA_H_U
Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus Plays Stadiums with WHAT?? - https://youtu.be/qsfX5CeUnZc
Gretsch Limited Edition Streamliner Rally II | CME Gear Demo - https://youtu.be/f9uUyvSbWV8

More Chicago Music Exchange:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3gdPSSV
Twiter - https://bit.ly/2RuYOci
Facebook - https://bit.ly/3e4FI4C
Pinterest - https://bit.ly/3ea3BHZ

Check out our Giveaways page to win gear! - https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/pages/giveaways

#chicagomusicexchange #cme #guitardemo #nathanielmurphy #vintageguitars #fender #telecaster #stratocaster #paulmccartney #thewhitealbum #blackguard #strat #tele

Chapters:
00:00-00:33 1954 Strat Clean Playing with Echo
00:34-02:21 Introduction: Two First Year Fender in The Same Room
02:22-03:10 1952 Telecaster Clean Playing
03:1-05:37 1952 Telecaster Information
05:38-06:10 1952 Telecaster Crunch Playing
06:11-07:29 1954 Stratocaster Information
07:30-08:06 1954 Stratocaster Crunch Playing
08:07-10:42 This 1954 Strat Toured with Bo Diddly?!
10:43-11:35 1954 Strat Clean Playing 2
11:36-13:26 More on This 1954 Stratocaster
13:27-14:29 1954 Stratocaster Crunch Playing 2
14:30-21:57 Even More on This 1954 Stratocaster
21:58-2:411954 Stratocaster Crunch Playing 3
22:43-25:03 BONUS!