1951 Fender Telecaster
The 1951 'Nocaster' is among the rarest and most historically significant electric guitars — produced during the period when Fender removed the 'Broadcaster' name from the headstock but hadn't yet stamped 'Telecaster.' These blank-headstock examples are extraordinarily collectible.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Recent Sales
Showing 4 verified sales for 1951 Fender Telecaster. Reissues, replicas, and parts listings are filtered out.
Specifications
| Body Wood | Ash |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Maple (integral) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | 3-saddle string-through-body bridge (original 'ashtray' design) |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-line |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Finish Options | Blonde (Butterscotch) |
| Est. Production | 800 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two single-coil pickups. The bridge pickup sits in a metal ashtray cover that also serves as a pickup cavity — the original Tele design. The neck pickup has a distinctive sound due to its cover.
What Changed in 1951
1951 is the 'Nocaster' year — Fender briefly sold these guitars without a model name on the headstock after the 'Broadcaster' name was disputed by Gretsch. The 'Telecaster' name appeared later in 1951.
Notable Examples
The Nocaster has become one of the most historically documented Fender models. Museum collections worldwide hold examples.
Collector's Notes
True Nocasters have no model name on the headstock. Verify the truss rod stamp reads only 'Fender' with no model name. These are authenticated by serial number and headstock decal examination. Some Nocasters have been modified to read 'Broadcaster' or 'Telecaster' — examination under UV light can reveal this.
How to Authenticate a 1951 Fender Telecaster
Fender serial numbers from this era are on the bridge plate or neck plate. Numbers are typically four or five digits — cross-reference with known Fender serial tables. The neck date stamp (penciled on the heel, visible when the neck is removed) is the single most reliable dating method for Fender guitars. Body dates in the neck pocket or under the pickguard corroborate. Pot codes should read 304 (Stackpole) or 140 (CTS) followed by date codes from 1950-1951. Pots should predate the guitar by no more than 12-18 months. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer — under UV/blacklight, original nitro fluoresces differently than modern polyester or polyurethane. Nitro finishes check (develop fine cracks) and wear naturally. Refinished guitars often have a too-perfect look. One-piece maple neck with no separate fingerboard — verify this construction. Pre-CBS Fender (before January 1965 acquisition). Spaghetti logo on headstock. Cloth wiring throughout. Three-way switch (five-way not available until mid-1970s). Kluson tuners. Slab body (alder or ash). Two single-coils (bridge and neck). Earliest Teles evolved from Broadcaster (1950) and Nocaster (1951). Three brass saddle bridge is standard pre-CBS. Check for replaced tuners (original Kluson Deluxe single-line should be present), refrets, body routing modifications, and any filled screw holes. Original custom color finishes are verified by examining color in pickup cavities and under the pickguard. Original case adds provenance value.