Walt Grace Vintage Blog

As it approaches its 75th anniversary, the Telecaster stands apart as an unrivaled achievement. It is, without a doubt, one of the most consequential inventions in the history of mankind, a symbol of simple dedication to craft—the perfect combination of form and function.

The original Fender color chart, released in 1960, included fourteen chromatic offerings that played directly off the colors being used in the automotive industry, which made for a lot of beautiful photos of a Tele riding shotgun in a Bel-Air. It included nine DuPont Duco nitrocellulose finishes and five DuPont Lucite acrylic finishes

For months (or maybe even years) you’ve seen it in your head, clear as day: this beautifully sculpted, visually stunning creation of resonant wood and shiny metal that fits perfectly in your hands…and though you haven’t the slightest idea how to finger a chord, one strum of its six strings and its voice brings a tear to your eye. 

Maybe we’re just guitar geeks (ok, we 100% are), but understanding what makes a Tele, a Tele (or a Strat, a Strat) gives you a more intimate relationship with the music you consume; will help you make more informed decisions about purchasing a guitar; and honestly, is just plain interesting!

With the uke having truly dominated its corner of the instrument market - and seeing how popular they are with our customers - we figured we’d give a little bit of a history lesson as a homage to the little four-string wonder.

Since becoming an official part of Fender’s Custom Color chart in 1963, the super-sweet red tones of this finish have become nearly synonymous with Fender’s name; hell, we get excited every time we get a new Candy Apple Red on the wall!