At Sam Ash in NYC, I asked a Fender rep about the guitar that Keith Richards plays. His eyes lit up, he pulled out a tweed case, handed me a '52 Reissue, and I was hooked immediately. I didn't intend to spend that kind of $ that day, but I eventually had to do it. Still love it today, almost 18 years later.
I had to choose earlier this year between a 52 Reissue and an Original 50s for my first "really nice" electric guitar. I chose the Original for its pickups and fat neck, but both played beautifully. The 52 disappeared from the shop within a couple months and is probably doing good work right now
No matter what you play, if you can’t make a telecaster sound good, the problem isn’t the telecaster. If I had to have only one guitar and no more, it would be a tele. Legendary guitar.
Our guitarist suffered a catastrophic guitar wiring failure when recording our recent ep. His hollow body just gave up and he had to play the studio sessions with a borrowed black guard (not original 50s though). It didn't take long when he bought a reissue blackguard and now mostly plays that guitar. Truly a versatile instrument and pairs really well with a Fender tweed deluxe.
When I started playing electric, it was all about Strats and LPs. That's what my heroes played (so I thought). I didn't know at the time that Jimmy Page played tele on the first Zep albums. I then spotted a nice '62 reissue tele in my local store and had to try it out. Ten minutes later, it was mine. I've since bought and sold other teles, and built my own tele-partscaster, which I'd never sell. For such a simple design, teles sound and feel so good, and they really are a lot more versatile than I used to imagine. Good video as always. Now excuse me while I go give my tele some love.
Forrest White was one of my closest friends in the early 1980's. We used have lunch on Fridays, and he would tell stories of when he met Leo, and the early production woes. He and Leo would have LOVED this video, and your detailed work is greatly appreciated!!!
How interesting! I've loved learning Fender history since that time, an era long before the Internet and long before the deeply researched history books on Fender were published. There was very little solid information available back then for an outside observer. Forrest's book of the 1990s really opened my eyes, and even though it clearly was written from a very strongly personal perspective, I started putting together more of the dates and the names and happenings. He was taken too soon, if I recall, and you were lucky to have had such a good friend!
About 45 years ago a friend asked me to babysit his Telecaster for a couple of weeks while he was out of town. I wasn't into electrics at the time and always preferred the look of a Strat. Nevertheless, thinking back on that heavily worn slab of ash with it's black guard I wonder what kind of treasure I'd been so dismissive of. Thank you, Keith, for your unique knack of making these pocket histories absolutely fascinating.
Regarding Mike Campbell and Tom Petty, a favorite moment of mine from TV was when the Heartbreakers were on VH1 Storytellers the day their 1999 album *Echo* was released. During their performance of "You Don't Know How it feels", Mike was playing his Broadcaster while Tom was playing his '57. The lineup of those 2 with Howie Epstein and Scott Thurston with their respective bass and Stratocaster looked to me like the most awesome allotment of classic Fender instruments during the 90s.
Seriously. Same can be said of his entire series of 'Short History' vids. I've watched them all multiple times and I still learn new stuff every time I watch em 👍 TBH, Keith had a part in me deciding to even learn to play guitar. If it wasn't for me finding his channel(and a few others) and being enamored by all of the awesome guitars, I likely wouldn't have ever bought one. I always say that my inspiration to learn to play is solely Duane Allman's doing. He inspires me more than any other. Along with that, it was the guitar channels that really gave me the confidence to go for it. And TBH, it's one of the BEST decisions of my entire life. It's too much to write here but learning to play guitar changed my life for the better. Keeping it short, after the death of my only child in 2014, I didn't expect to ever genuinely feel joyful ever again. 5.5 years later, I buy my first guitar and learn that yes, I can still genuinely feel joy. First time since my daughters been gone. Today, I absolutely love my guitars and love playing guitar. It really did change my life.
I have actually watched this video 49 times in the two hours it has been uploaded, and I still havn't absorbed most of the information. I guess watching it for a 50th time can't hurt.
The Ken Burns of Guitar-Tube strikes again! Excellent work Keith, loved every minute of it. I started my Telecaster / Country Guitar Journey in 2019 (25 yrs into the hobby) and I haven’t looked back. Being a Nashville native, I grew up with the sound, but rebelled against it in my youth. Now, I love the Telecaster more than anything and have gained more fretboard knowledge on this path than I could imagine. It was the missing link in my music-mind that has allowed me to play through the changes, anywhere on the fretboard. Thanks 🙏🏻 Again!
That’s perfect! I guess he just needs to include slow zooming/pans of old grainy black and white photos, accompanied by a sad, sorrowful single fiddle soundtrack.
Unexpected but very welcome inclusion of my childhood friend as a Tele user. Jules started with a bunch of big hollowbody jazzboxes but the fact that he can get such sweet warm tones out of almost the same guitar I play brash blues and punk rock with says a lot about the Telecaster's versatility.
Greetings from Nashville north, Louisville, Ky. Keith, you could read the phonebook and somehow I would find it interesting. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your hard work. It is obvious you spend a lot of time preparing for for each program. Five Watt World is the “gold standard” for UA-cam programming!!!!! Keep it up brother!!! Thanks again.
Agreed 👍....and furthermore seems to be a first class human being...the most important attribute in us all...while I love the history more than most I'd like to hear him play more often....but he's not another gear demo guy so it's not about his guitar playing...so I get it...just curious of his tone
@@johnlongdick9569 Hey John, Louisville was actually offered the grand old Opry before Nashville. In the early 1900s it was offered to WHAS radio in Louisville. WHAS replied to their offer saying they didn’t want honky-tonk music on their station. Also, the blue grass festival, it is held here and apparently some of the best bluegrass players in the world live here. As for me (a guitar collector/player) it’s proximity. Nashville is two hours south with excellent guitar shops, you have Willcutt guitars in Lexington Kentucky (1-1/2 hour drive) Cincinnati has one of the best shops in the country and it is a 1 Hour Dr., Indianapolis at an hour and 45 minutes, last but not least Chicago, about a 4 Hour Dr. I also think it is neat to see where some of these comments come from. I hope you found it interesting LOL.
@@mikepfeifer3687 thanks for your excellent reply! Makes me think of Jacksonville Fl being approached by Disney to build Disney World. The powers in Jax didn’t think it was a good idea.haha again thank you for your comment
Man u have this knack for dropping these right when I seem to have that few minutes to give it my attention...just walked into the "studio" and low and behold... 😂...these have become a bright spot in my world Kieth as some of us just crave this kinda brain food..can't get enough... great topics beautifully done...much respect for your work and friendly nature...I hope kind words bring u the same feeling your channel brings me...ty brother
Damn if it didn't happen again ... started getting emotional during the thank you outro. Call me an emotional sap but by the time you get to " ... and thank you for being a part of the Five Watt World", I'm fighting back tears. No other musical content (hell, no other content period) produces such a welling of emotion. Is it your delivery? The script? The heart felt thank yous? The clear passion for the gear that makes the music we love? Don't know but it has become a bit of a test to see whether it will happen when I tune in to the latest Five Watt World content. So far its happens every time.
So cool to find out about how those early solid bodies have a hand built feel. All through my youth we thought of Fender guitars as being factory products cranked out impersonally on an assembly line. Thank you as always for another excellent and informative video.
Excellent treatment of the blackguard- manufacturing, tone evolution, name changes, and formative players. I’ll be watching this cultural treasure a few times to absorb all the detail!
Another great presentation. Informative and fun to watch. I have owned a '51 and '52 telecaster but my favorite is still my leather decorated '54 white guard. The thermometer cases are cool but you just can't beat a red lined tweed case. Thanks Keith.
I bought a '52 reissue in '91. It weighed a ton. I'd put it up against the heaviest LP. At one point, I'd had enough. A friend recommended a pine body. I got one, put binding on it, assembled it. The great tonewood debate crumbled. IMO, the pine is so much warmer, without sacrificing any classic Tele tones. Mind you, I didn't get the pine to alter tone, just wanted to save my shoulder. I love that second sound sample... mighty sporty country twanging there... inspiring. I've a friend with a '54 white guard.... it has been messed with. Someone cobbled (poorly) a PAF in the neck position. None of the electronics were messed with. The PAF is always pure mud. No amount of amp tweeking could remedy it. He is thinking of a restoration to original. Love your channel.... to the point, no fluff, ridiculous babbling or conversation. Just the facts.
Warmer is losing as far as structural woods go. Warmer is not as rigid and losing high end harmonics. You can always roll off treble later, you can't easily add back in the harmonics that don't ring as well of they're not in the signal. Whilst tonewoods aren't mythical magic woods they're the woods that balance availability, stiffness (a good thing) and density (a bad thing that is often mistaken for a good thing because of a loose correlation between stiffness and density). By saying you can her a difference you're confirming wood choice matters. I totally agree that it's not about spending crazy money though on exotics, that's mostly for looks, especially spalted woods that have the structural integrity of crumbly cheese.
Currently enjoying a 2009 Squier Affinity Tele "'52 Butterscotch Blackguard" look-a-like, with its 1.5" thick body and top-loader hardtail six-saddle bridge. Best $50.00 I ever spent! (By the way, I'm 46 and just started learning, that's why I opt for such inexpensive instruments.)
I’ve just bought a Telecaster Baja, 10 yrs old but perfect. I have for years played a Hagstrom, and more recently a Gibson, but playing the Fender is a different experience. I have always remembered playing a Telecaster in the ‘70s and have wanted one ever since. This Baja Telecaster is a superb instrument. Never mind the custom electrics (they are great) that neck is just magic,superb, it just transforms how I play.
So I woke up this morning with a heavy drag on my mind. I’ve been thinking about selling a Fender American Pro butterscotch blonde with black guard I picked up on Craigslist a few years ago. I haven’t played it much lately because I have a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele that I’m in love with with the exception of its weight (8 lbs 9 oz). My American Pro is lighter and more balanced. First video I see this morning is this Tele masterpiece you put together. Well the last 3 hours I’ve been engulfed in my American Pro plugged into my newly acquired Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master I also picked up second hand. The American Pro is going nowhere and I promised him I will spend more time with him. I put my Classic Vibe in her tweed thermometer case and told her it’s time to rest. I needed this video more than I realized. THANK YOU. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your videos. My order for a shirt is in the works.
I needed this video this morning. With the world falling apart (well Canada) this just brightened my day. I enjoyed a bit of normal. Thanks. Also the only guitar I regret selling and I've sold lots is my MIA tele. Vintage yellow with white pickguard and a Rosewood neck. I made my own Tele from scratch about 15 years ago. It will never be sold 😄
Thank you so very much for this episode. I was having a stressful day and watching this was like a deep meditation. I got to spend time in the universe of my favorite thing: the black guard Fender Spanish style guitar. It was like visiting heaven. So again, thank you
I'm a big fan of all things Telecaster. My main instrument has been a 1993 MIM Tele with an EMG 81/85 set for years and years. The tone is modern and metal, but the feel is true Tele. It was my first new guitar purchase as a teenager and it will be buried with me. Thanks for the great video Keith!
Nothing beats a tele. I bought a strat because I needed that Stevie ray / Hendrix sound but I always find myself just playing my tele anyways while the new strat collects dust
Fender, something about the sensation I get from the guitars and the business behind them feels so much better, more comfortable, less snobbery, more about the music being the thing than a wall queen.
I studied with Jules and it's so fitting that you mention him as part of this video. He's absolutely the reason I'm a tele cat and is the a huge reason I see ppl of my age falling in love with teles! Thank you for the video!
I lived my life as a Strat guy beginning with my first - a Japanese in 1985. I thought of Teles as inferior. I joined a band with two Strat players in 2009, so I decided to buy a Tele for contrast. I became a Tele guy at that point. There are more Teles in my current collection and in my future plans, Teles outnumber Strats. I love Strats, but from my first Tele, I became a Tele guy. Great video. Thx!
Thanks for your straightforward treatment of the subject. I have looked into this myself when in 2016 I posted in my Blog: - "I had thought to buy myself a decent electric guitar to celebrate turning 65. I thought, modestly, that even a used old one would do, and just to be appropriate, maybe one from 1951? The joke was on me! This iconic guitar design was introduced in 1951. Models from that year are sought-after collectors' items. The one at left was listed at US$39,999 = NZ$61,889!" In the end, about 18 months later I finally splashed out, and for the very first time in my life bought a brand new electric guitar, together with a new amplifier for it. After much research into what I liked, and more pragmatically, what was available here in NZ, I settled on a Fender MIM Standard Telecaster, Maple Neck, Brown Sunburst with a Fender Blues Junior III. A lot cheaper than a mid-life crisis Harley-Davidson :-)
Only Keith could tell me things about the Tele that I didn’t know. This video prompted me to review my book titled the fender telecaster by A.R. Duchossoir. Forwards by James Burton and Albert Lee. Thanks Keith👍🏻
Nice cover of the Fender blackguards, and thanks for rightly giving Forrest White the credit he deserves for moving Fender into a modern production facility.
Yes, Forrest was sort of glossed over until his own book was published. in the 1990s. You can really tell in that book that there were some grudges there, but subsequent deeply researched coffee table-style books about Fender history from other authors definitely give him the proper credit.
Hi Keith, First time I watched this episode it was on my TV via a fire stick for UA-cam and you can’t hit ‘like’ , or at least I don’t know of a way ahah! Anyhow, I guess it just gives me a reason to come back and watch it again off my iPad 🤙 The Black Guard Tele is by far my favorite Tele, they’re so simple and look as nice as they sound imo. I have one I play which is just simply an American Professional series, there’s just a certain magic coming from that ash body and that ‘Tele Bridge’ that nothing else really replicates in my not so humble opinion 😊 A big thumbs up to you and Zac’s channel, they are both one of my favorites to watch and enjoy… thanks to the both of you.
My favorite guitars! I transitioned my MIM 50’s reissue to an “Esquire” (along with period-correct wiring) with a Cavalier Nocaster Lion, and sold off the rest of my guitars years ago. Fantastic job, as always, Keith! Thank you!
Still the only guitar I play! One pickup to rule them all. Haha. With the tone knob, and changing gain stages, I feel I can go from the brightness, clearest, Tele sounds, all the way to Les Paulesque.
Great video once again. Telecaster is definitely one of the best guitars ever made. The first time i played with one i understood right away why so many are in love with it. It just felt pure and simple. Brad Paisley said in his Fender video that "Telecaster is a cutting board with a neck" Leslie West said about the Les Paul Jr. "It's a tree with a microphone" I think the beauty of their sound and feel lies in their simplicity.
Huzzah! Another short history! I just acquired a '52 reissue, so this is timely! Tele have always been guitars that sounded brilliant in everyone else's hands but mine. Until I found this one.
Another great history lesson, Keith. Always a treat to open up UA-cam and see a new five watt world video. I appreciate all the work that goes into these history lessons. Thank you!
The most comprehensive presentation for the history of the Telecaster I've ever seen. So many myths were clarified by you. And I love the mention of Jimmy Bryant's role in the success of the Telecaster. Maybe this is just one of those myths but I heard Jimmy and Leo had a fall out because he was promised the Stratocaster would be named the Jimmy Bryant guitar. I met Jimmy at a demo of Mosrite guitars as he was endorsing at the time in the mid 60's. He was so gracious to a little kid wanting to learn guitar. But I have no idea of the story about the Stratocaster has any truth and I have read that Jimmy spoke highly of Leo in his later years. If anyone knows the truth if this is myth or fact I'd be interested. But wow, what a great and interesting presentation for a guy who has played Fenders most of his life. Any many Strats and Teles. Thanks.
Definitely makes one wonder. I could see Leo, seriously or just joking around in a lighthearted moment back then, telling Jimmy that he'd name the new model (Strat) after him. Enter sales director Don Randall, (who named all the products except the Precision Bass) and who often had to run roughshod over Leo to get things done, stepping in and shooting down that idea---hard! lol But who knows at this point.
The definitive story of the founding father of solid body electric guitars in 25 minutes! Excellent Keith. Nothing like a blackguard with a baseball neck. It doesn't get any better. I hope you enjoyed playing the Nachocaster my friend!
Thanks for another great video! The Telecaster is my favorite and I so enjoy the detail you provide. By the way Vince Gill picked up his 53 for $400 years ago and still uses it today.
I've said this many times, how do I say the same thing over again? Informative, entertaining and concise history. Even for a bass player, I really enjoy these video essays. My favourite guitars to play along with have always been the Tele and the LP Junior. Top stuff as always Keith. 👌
Another great history lesson. For some reason I never cared for telecasters. No valid reason anyway. When I started chasing after Keith Richards style of playing I was intrigued by his Macawba tele. I decided to have a luthier friend duplicate one for my very own. That guitar has arguably become my go to guitar. I absolutely love it. And it’s true you can play just about any genre of music with a telecaster. I own much more expensive and elaborately detailed guitars but my tele is my go to. Thanks for all the time you put into these videos.
James Burton played his famous Tele on one of my favorite albums, Masa Takagi's Take a Ten album from 1974. His amazing playing is all over it and it stands out the most
I've only been playing for a few months but I've always loved the telecaster. Now that I'm playing on one I find that I desire an entire collection of them. So much fun to play.
I wish I had bought old tele's back in the 70s & 80s when I could afford them!! But I was just interested in the newest Charvel, BC Rich and Ibanez back in the day...
Hello from Parma, NY. Thanks Keith. Another amazing Short History video. Last year I took a chance and purchased a 70th Anniversary Broadcaster. I have not regretted the purchase.
At Sam Ash in NYC, I asked a Fender rep about the guitar that Keith Richards plays. His eyes lit up, he pulled out a tweed case, handed me a '52 Reissue, and I was hooked immediately. I didn't intend to spend that kind of $ that day, but I eventually had to do it. Still love it today, almost 18 years later.
was it the legendary sam ash on west 48 street??
I had to choose earlier this year between a 52 Reissue and an Original 50s for my first "really nice" electric guitar. I chose the Original for its pickups and fat neck, but both played beautifully. The 52 disappeared from the shop within a couple months and is probably doing good work right now
No matter what you play, if you can’t make a telecaster sound good, the problem isn’t the telecaster. If I had to have only one guitar and no more, it would be a tele. Legendary guitar.
Cow to play stood up, but I can’t stop taking one as my main live guitar!!
you arent wrong but an SG still sounds better
I didn't find my perfect telecasters till 2015. Id been looking since 1996 aha.
(with a Bigsby though...just in case)
Thankfully we don't have only 1 choice. I love my Tele, Les Paul, Strat, PRS.. :)
Our guitarist suffered a catastrophic guitar wiring failure when recording our recent ep. His hollow body just gave up and he had to play the studio sessions with a borrowed black guard (not original 50s though). It didn't take long when he bought a reissue blackguard and now mostly plays that guitar. Truly a versatile instrument and pairs really well with a Fender tweed deluxe.
When I started playing electric, it was all about Strats and LPs. That's what my heroes played (so I thought). I didn't know at the time that Jimmy Page played tele on the first Zep albums. I then spotted a nice '62 reissue tele in my local store and had to try it out. Ten minutes later, it was mine. I've since bought and sold other teles, and built my own tele-partscaster, which I'd never sell. For such a simple design, teles sound and feel so good, and they really are a lot more versatile than I used to imagine. Good video as always. Now excuse me while I go give my tele some love.
Forrest White was one of my closest friends in the early 1980's. We used have lunch
on Fridays, and he would tell stories of when he met Leo, and the early production woes.
He and Leo would have LOVED this video, and your detailed work is greatly appreciated!!!
THAT is excellent.
How interesting! I've loved learning Fender history since that time, an era long before the Internet and long before the deeply researched history books on Fender were published. There was very little solid information available back then for an outside observer. Forrest's book of the 1990s really opened my eyes, and even though it clearly was written from a very strongly personal perspective, I started putting together more of the dates and the names and happenings. He was taken too soon, if I recall, and you were lucky to have had such a good friend!
Five Watt World is where history buffs, and gear nerds meet. Love these dives into guitar history
About 45 years ago a friend asked me to babysit his Telecaster for a couple of weeks while he was out of town. I wasn't into electrics at the time and always preferred the look of a Strat. Nevertheless, thinking back on that heavily worn slab of ash with it's black guard I wonder what kind of treasure I'd been so dismissive of. Thank you, Keith, for your unique knack of making these pocket histories absolutely fascinating.
Regarding Mike Campbell and Tom Petty, a favorite moment of mine from TV was when the Heartbreakers were on VH1 Storytellers the day their 1999 album *Echo* was released. During their performance of "You Don't Know How it feels", Mike was playing his Broadcaster while Tom was playing his '57. The lineup of those 2 with Howie Epstein and Scott Thurston with their respective bass and Stratocaster looked to me like the most awesome allotment of classic Fender instruments during the 90s.
Wow! This should be the definitive history of the early Telecasters. So much detail, it just can't be absorbed in 1 or 2 viewings. Thanks Keith.
Seriously. Same can be said of his entire series of 'Short History' vids. I've watched them all multiple times and I still learn new stuff every time I watch em 👍
TBH, Keith had a part in me deciding to even learn to play guitar. If it wasn't for me finding his channel(and a few others) and being enamored by all of the awesome guitars, I likely wouldn't have ever bought one.
I always say that my inspiration to learn to play is solely Duane Allman's doing. He inspires me more than any other. Along with that, it was the guitar channels that really gave me the confidence to go for it.
And TBH, it's one of the BEST decisions of my entire life. It's too much to write here but learning to play guitar changed my life for the better. Keeping it short, after the death of my only child in 2014, I didn't expect to ever genuinely feel joyful ever again. 5.5 years later, I buy my first guitar and learn that yes, I can still genuinely feel joy. First time since my daughters been gone. Today, I absolutely love my guitars and love playing guitar. It really did change my life.
@@JC-11111 I agree 100% and have had similar experiences since picking up my first guitar. Keith also inspired me to start my own UA-cam channel.
I have actually watched this video 49 times in the two hours it has been uploaded, and I still havn't absorbed most of the information. I guess watching it for a 50th time can't hurt.
The Ken Burns of Guitar-Tube strikes again! Excellent work Keith, loved every minute of it. I started my Telecaster / Country Guitar Journey in 2019 (25 yrs into the hobby) and I haven’t looked back. Being a Nashville native, I grew up with the sound, but rebelled against it in my youth. Now, I love the Telecaster more than anything and have gained more fretboard knowledge on this path than I could imagine. It was the missing link in my music-mind that has allowed me to play through the changes, anywhere on the fretboard. Thanks 🙏🏻 Again!
"Ken Burns of guitar..." Man, that's excellent, wish I'd thought of that!
That’s perfect! I guess he just needs to include slow zooming/pans of old grainy black and white photos, accompanied by a sad, sorrowful single fiddle soundtrack.
I purposefully avoid the “Ken Burns” photo effect. Some things are sacred.
@@fivewattworld LOL! Understood.
Unexpected but very welcome inclusion of my childhood friend as a Tele user. Jules started with a bunch of big hollowbody jazzboxes but the fact that he can get such sweet warm tones out of almost the same guitar I play brash blues and punk rock with says a lot about the Telecaster's versatility.
Greetings from Nashville north, Louisville, Ky. Keith, you could read the phonebook and somehow I would find it interesting. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your hard work. It is obvious you spend a lot of time preparing for for each program.
Five Watt World is the “gold standard” for UA-cam programming!!!!!
Keep it up brother!!! Thanks again.
Agreed 👍....and furthermore seems to be a first class human being...the most important attribute in us all...while I love the history more than most I'd like to hear him play more often....but he's not another gear demo guy so it's not about his guitar playing...so I get it...just curious of his tone
I’ve never heard Louisville referred to as Nashville north. Is this actually a thing? If so for what reason? Proximity? Music scene?
Yep, I have to agree also. Keith's delivery comes across like he has known you since Kindergarten, and I really enjoy these videos.
@@johnlongdick9569
Hey John, Louisville was actually offered the grand old Opry before Nashville. In the early 1900s it was offered to WHAS radio in Louisville. WHAS replied to their offer saying they didn’t want honky-tonk music on their station. Also, the blue grass festival, it is held here and apparently some of the best bluegrass players in the world live here.
As for me (a guitar collector/player) it’s proximity. Nashville is two hours south with excellent guitar shops, you have Willcutt guitars in Lexington Kentucky (1-1/2 hour drive) Cincinnati has one of the best shops in the country and it is a 1 Hour Dr., Indianapolis at an hour and 45 minutes, last but not least Chicago, about a 4 Hour Dr.
I also think it is neat to see where some of these comments come from. I hope you found it interesting LOL.
@@mikepfeifer3687 thanks for your excellent reply! Makes me think of Jacksonville Fl being approached by Disney to build Disney World. The powers in Jax didn’t think it was a good idea.haha again thank you for your comment
Man u have this knack for dropping these right when I seem to have that few minutes to give it my attention...just walked into the "studio" and low and behold... 😂...these have become a bright spot in my world Kieth as some of us just crave this kinda brain food..can't get enough... great topics beautifully done...much respect for your work and friendly nature...I hope kind words bring u the same feeling your channel brings me...ty brother
Thanks Eric! Great to have you in five watt world.
Funny, I have many Les Pauls, but when I’m playing Sabbath, I use a Tele with 9’s in C# tuning. Works perfectly!
✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
Keith you found your calling in life! These videos should be part of American history! SO well made!
I just can’t thank you enough for this amount of information
Life's a bowl of jelly with a Tele on my belly! Good stuff 5 Watt!!
Thanks Keith, you sure have a way of giving the history. You bring the fastinating out to see. Thanks.
Damn if it didn't happen again ... started getting emotional during the thank you outro. Call me an emotional sap but by the time you get to " ... and thank you for being a part of the Five Watt World", I'm fighting back tears. No other musical content (hell, no other content period) produces such a welling of emotion. Is it your delivery? The script? The heart felt thank yous? The clear passion for the gear that makes the music we love? Don't know but it has become a bit of a test to see whether it will happen when I tune in to the latest Five Watt World content. So far its happens every time.
Thanks for joining the Patreon David. Good to have you along for the ride.
Keith, I truly admire your work and your detail-oriented production philosophy. one of the best channels on the platform. keep it up, and stay well.
Thank you for telling the stories of these wonderful iconic guitars. Much obliged, Sir.
So cool to find out about how those early solid bodies have a hand built feel. All through my youth we thought of Fender guitars as being factory products cranked out impersonally on an assembly line. Thank you as always for another excellent and informative video.
Excellent treatment of the blackguard- manufacturing, tone evolution, name changes, and formative players. I’ll be watching this cultural treasure a few times to absorb all the detail!
Another great presentation. Informative and fun to watch. I have owned a '51 and '52 telecaster but my favorite is still my leather decorated '54 white guard. The thermometer cases are cool but you just can't beat a red lined tweed case. Thanks Keith.
I finally got my first Telecaster. I'm hooked.
Merci for this video explaining what I've been listening to all my life.
I bought a '52 reissue in '91. It weighed a ton. I'd put it up against the heaviest LP.
At one point, I'd had enough. A friend recommended a pine body. I got one, put binding on it, assembled it.
The great tonewood debate crumbled. IMO, the pine is so much warmer, without sacrificing any classic Tele tones. Mind you, I didn't get the pine to alter tone, just wanted to save my shoulder.
I love that second sound sample... mighty sporty country twanging there... inspiring.
I've a friend with a '54 white guard.... it has been messed with. Someone cobbled (poorly) a PAF in the neck position. None of the electronics were messed with. The PAF is always pure mud. No amount of amp tweeking could remedy it. He is thinking of a restoration to original.
Love your channel.... to the point, no fluff, ridiculous babbling or conversation. Just the facts.
Warmer is losing as far as structural woods go. Warmer is not as rigid and losing high end harmonics. You can always roll off treble later, you can't easily add back in the harmonics that don't ring as well of they're not in the signal.
Whilst tonewoods aren't mythical magic woods they're the woods that balance availability, stiffness (a good thing) and density (a bad thing that is often mistaken for a good thing because of a loose correlation between stiffness and density).
By saying you can her a difference you're confirming wood choice matters. I totally agree that it's not about spending crazy money though on exotics, that's mostly for looks, especially spalted woods that have the structural integrity of crumbly cheese.
I have this loaded & ready to watch after my gig tonight....& yes, I'll be strumming my 52 RI
I've been a massive Tele fan ever since i first heard Greg Koch perform his wizardry on a Tele. You can do literally anything on a Tele. Thanks Keith.
My transparent crimson Tele and I smiled at each other the whole way through this video. Thanks Keith!
Currently enjoying a 2009 Squier Affinity Tele "'52 Butterscotch Blackguard" look-a-like, with its 1.5" thick body and top-loader hardtail six-saddle bridge. Best $50.00 I ever spent! (By the way, I'm 46 and just started learning, that's why I opt for such inexpensive instruments.)
I am a pro, been playing 50 years, and that’s what I use. Paid $100 for it though.
I'd love to share some pics of my blackguard with you, Keith! We viewers should start a Five Watt Fans Instagram!!!
That clip of Guthrie flattens me every time. Great video Amigo!
youre better then him
Possibly one of the coolest videos ever made!!!! Thank you for sharing about the history of Teles!
I’ve just bought a Telecaster Baja, 10 yrs old but perfect.
I have for years played a Hagstrom, and more recently a Gibson, but playing the Fender is a different experience.
I have always remembered playing a Telecaster in the ‘70s and have wanted one ever since.
This Baja Telecaster is a superb instrument.
Never mind the custom electrics (they are great) that neck is just magic,superb, it just transforms how I play.
Didn’t realize 25 minutes could go by so fast. Thanks again, Keith!
Love the intro music! Some great playing!
So I woke up this morning with a heavy drag on my mind. I’ve been thinking about selling a Fender American Pro butterscotch blonde with black guard I picked up on Craigslist a few years ago. I haven’t played it much lately because I have a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele that I’m in love with with the exception of its weight (8 lbs 9 oz). My American Pro is lighter and more balanced. First video I see this morning is this Tele masterpiece you put together. Well the last 3 hours I’ve been engulfed in my American Pro plugged into my newly acquired Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master I also picked up second hand. The American Pro is going nowhere and I promised him I will spend more time with him. I put my Classic Vibe in her tweed thermometer case and told her it’s time to rest. I needed this video more than I realized. THANK YOU. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your videos. My order for a shirt is in the works.
Thanks Mike. I spent a bunch of time playing my tele style Strandberg today. I know ho you feel.
Always look forward to 5WW short histories!
Once again, Keith gives a fascinating and informative history that flies by. I really appreciate all you do, Keith. Thank you.
What a wonderful way to start this morning. Thank you for all your work and great content!
I needed this video this morning. With the world falling apart (well Canada) this just brightened my day. I enjoyed a bit of normal. Thanks. Also the only guitar I regret selling and I've sold lots is my MIA tele. Vintage yellow with white pickguard and a Rosewood neck. I made my own Tele from scratch about 15 years ago. It will never be sold 😄
The US isnt too far behind you I'm afraid.
straight to business mentioning Mike Campbell, I'm loving it! What a totally amazing player
Thank you so very much for this episode. I was having a stressful day and watching this was like a deep meditation. I got to spend time in the universe of my favorite thing: the black guard Fender Spanish style guitar. It was like visiting heaven. So again, thank you
I'm in love with original models. Really appreciate this info
I'm a big fan of all things Telecaster. My main instrument has been a 1993 MIM Tele with an EMG 81/85 set for years and years. The tone is modern and metal, but the feel is true Tele. It was my first new guitar purchase as a teenager and it will be buried with me.
Thanks for the great video Keith!
My favorite UA-cam channel covering my favorite guitars. Thank you!
I love the Five Watt World! 🎈
Nothing beats a tele. I bought a strat because I needed that Stevie ray / Hendrix sound but I always find myself just playing my tele anyways while the new strat collects dust
Fender, something about the sensation I get from the guitars and the business behind them feels so much better, more comfortable, less snobbery, more about the music being the thing than a wall queen.
Another of your little masterpieces. Thanx Keith
Thanks Paul
I honestly don’t know why you don’t have millions of subscribers. Love these videos.
Thanks Keith! Love coming back to these videos for inspiration and brushing up on my guitar history. Cheers 🍻
The Fender Telecaster is the greatest solid body electric of all time. The sound is so sweet its heavenly
It’s definitely the most utilitarian. But some Les Paul players might have something to say about the whole “greatest solid body” thing…
I studied with Jules and it's so fitting that you mention him as part of this video. He's absolutely the reason I'm a tele cat and is the a huge reason I see ppl of my age falling in love with teles! Thank you for the video!
I have a few of Jason Loughlins TrueFire courses and they do not disappoint!
Never had a Teley! Something on my bucket list!
I lived my life as a Strat guy beginning with my first - a Japanese in 1985. I thought of Teles as inferior. I joined a band with two Strat players in 2009, so I decided to buy a Tele for contrast. I became a Tele guy at that point. There are more Teles in my current collection and in my future plans, Teles outnumber Strats. I love Strats, but from my first Tele, I became a Tele guy. Great video. Thx!
Thanks for your straightforward treatment of the subject. I have looked into this myself when in 2016 I posted in my Blog: -
"I had thought to buy myself a decent electric guitar to celebrate turning 65. I thought, modestly, that even a used old one would do, and just to be appropriate, maybe one from 1951?
The joke was on me! This iconic guitar design was introduced in 1951. Models from that year are sought-after collectors' items. The one at left was listed at US$39,999 = NZ$61,889!"
In the end, about 18 months later I finally splashed out, and for the very first time in my life bought a brand new electric guitar, together with a new amplifier for it. After much research into what I liked, and more pragmatically, what was available here in NZ, I settled on a Fender MIM Standard Telecaster, Maple Neck, Brown Sunburst with a Fender Blues Junior III.
A lot cheaper than a mid-life crisis Harley-Davidson :-)
Thanks for another outstanding and enlightening edition of Five Watt!
Only Keith could tell me things about the Tele that I didn’t know. This video prompted me to review my book titled the fender telecaster by A.R. Duchossoir. Forwards by James Burton and Albert Lee. Thanks Keith👍🏻
I picked up a Custom shop 52 No caster back in 06 and it’s been my go to for everything electric guitar ,
Thank you Leo , and thank you Kieth
🙏
Keith, I absolutely loved this videos. Keep rocking it man. Some of the best content on the platform.
The most important electric guitars! Always great videos Keith! Would love to see a short history of Larrivee guitars!
Nice cover of the Fender blackguards, and thanks for rightly giving Forrest White the credit he deserves for moving Fender into a modern production facility.
Yes, Forrest was sort of glossed over until his own book was published. in the 1990s. You can really tell in that book that there were some grudges there, but subsequent deeply researched coffee table-style books about Fender history from other authors definitely give him the proper credit.
Hi Keith,
First time I watched this episode it was on my TV via a fire stick for UA-cam and you can’t hit ‘like’ , or at least I don’t know of a way ahah! Anyhow, I guess it just gives me a reason to come back and watch it again off my iPad 🤙
The Black Guard Tele is by far my favorite Tele, they’re so simple and look as nice as they sound imo. I have one I play which is just simply an American Professional series, there’s just a certain magic coming from that ash body and that ‘Tele Bridge’ that nothing else really replicates in my not so humble opinion 😊
A big thumbs up to you and Zac’s channel, they are both one of my favorites to watch and enjoy… thanks to the both of you.
My favorite guitars! I transitioned my MIM 50’s reissue to an “Esquire” (along with period-correct wiring) with a Cavalier Nocaster Lion, and sold off the rest of my guitars years ago. Fantastic job, as always, Keith! Thank you!
Cavalier pickups are killer! Love my set of Fat Lions.
Still the only guitar I play! One pickup to rule them all. Haha.
With the tone knob, and changing gain stages, I feel I can go from the brightness, clearest, Tele sounds, all the way to Les Paulesque.
I saw Julian play his telecaster a few years ago. Simply incredible!
Awesomeness! I was just at Carter this last weekend, very cool to see them get in this. Excellent, as always, Keith!
I just bought a 52 Reissue blackguard tele, what a coincidence, and what a guitar i love my tele so much. Cheers
Great video once again. Telecaster is definitely one of the best guitars ever made. The first time i played with one i understood right away why so many are in love with it. It just felt pure and simple. Brad Paisley said in his Fender video that "Telecaster is a cutting board with a neck" Leslie West said about the Les Paul Jr. "It's a tree with a microphone" I think the beauty of their sound and feel lies in their simplicity.
Thank you Keith and 5WW. Although I'll never be able to afford those beautiful vintage tele's, it's fascinating to learn about them. 🤘
Huzzah! Another short history! I just acquired a '52 reissue, so this is timely! Tele have always been guitars that sounded brilliant in everyone else's hands but mine. Until I found this one.
Whoops I hit send when I didn’t mean to. I thoroughly enjoyed this video Keith. It’s another one for the books. Well done! Thank you.
Top school day buddy, iconic guitars, who's never played a Tele in some form. Respect and stay healthy all.
Hi Keith, thanks again for your efforts in educating us all.
What an outstandingly nerdy brilliant episode. Brilliant levels of detail! Superlative!
Never fails...Movie paused. five watt world casted to TV! Love these videos! Great job, Keith!
good morning keith thank you for blessing my day with this telecaster goodness
Your work is so important and I'm glad I've found it. Thank you for keeping the history straight and sharing it.
Another great history lesson, Keith. Always a treat to open up UA-cam and see a new five watt world video. I appreciate all the work that goes into these history lessons. Thank you!
Wow. What a great episode! Incredible job. Bring on the whiteguards!!! Thanks for doing this.
The most comprehensive presentation for the history of the Telecaster I've ever seen. So many myths were clarified by you. And I love the mention of Jimmy Bryant's role in the success of the Telecaster. Maybe this is just one of those myths but I heard Jimmy and Leo had a fall out because he was promised the Stratocaster would be named the Jimmy Bryant guitar. I met Jimmy at a demo of Mosrite guitars as he was endorsing at the time in the mid 60's. He was so gracious to a little kid wanting to learn guitar. But I have no idea of the story about the Stratocaster has any truth and I have read that Jimmy spoke highly of Leo in his later years. If anyone knows the truth if this is myth or fact I'd be interested. But wow, what a great and interesting presentation for a guy who has played Fenders most of his life. Any many Strats and Teles. Thanks.
Definitely makes one wonder. I could see Leo, seriously or just joking around in a lighthearted moment back then, telling Jimmy that he'd name the new model (Strat) after him. Enter sales director Don Randall, (who named all the products except the Precision Bass) and who often had to run roughshod over Leo to get things done, stepping in and shooting down that idea---hard! lol But who knows at this point.
Good stuff, Keith! I love you, brother. Stay strong!
The definitive story of the founding father of solid body electric guitars in 25 minutes! Excellent Keith. Nothing like a blackguard with a baseball neck. It doesn't get any better. I hope you enjoyed playing the Nachocaster my friend!
Thanks for another great video! The Telecaster is my favorite and I so enjoy the detail you provide. By the way Vince Gill picked up his 53 for $400 years ago and still uses it today.
It's been a really bad week with the loss of two close friends. I really needed this video. Thanks.
I've said this many times, how do I say the same thing over again? Informative, entertaining and concise history. Even for a bass player, I really enjoy these video essays. My favourite guitars to play along with have always been the Tele and the LP Junior. Top stuff as always Keith. 👌
Very entertaining and informative. Ty all for your quality and efforts. 👍
Another great history lesson. For some reason I never cared for telecasters. No valid reason anyway. When I started chasing after Keith Richards style of playing I was intrigued by his Macawba tele. I decided to have a luthier friend duplicate one for my very own. That guitar has arguably become my go to guitar. I absolutely love it. And it’s true you can play just about any genre of music with a telecaster. I own much more expensive and elaborately detailed guitars but my tele is my go to. Thanks for all the time you put into these videos.
Been saving this one. The amount of info you pack into 24:59 is astounding! Thanks, Keith.
Thanks Pete
Always been a fan of the blackguards but I'm a sucker for Thinline Teles. Once again I learned new things & discovered new players. Thanks!
F### yes! LOVE the Heartbreakers shout out. Another banger, keep it up 5-Watt World 🖐💡🌎
HOLY SMOKES! I'm SO EXCITED to watch THIS!!!
Oh man, how good is this! Yet again, thanks Keith - bloody brilliant.
James Burton played his famous Tele on one of my favorite albums, Masa Takagi's Take a Ten album from 1974. His amazing playing is all over it and it stands out the most
Thank you Keith! Such great content! I'm always a bit disappointed that it has to end.
I've only been playing for a few months but I've always loved the telecaster. Now that I'm playing on one I find that I desire an entire collection of them. So much fun to play.
I wish I had bought old tele's back in the 70s & 80s when I could afford them!! But I was just interested in the newest Charvel, BC Rich and Ibanez back in the day...
Another great one Keith. Thanks.
Hello from Parma, NY. Thanks Keith. Another amazing Short History video. Last year I took a chance and purchased a 70th Anniversary Broadcaster. I have not regretted the purchase.