1952 Fender Telecaster
The early Telecaster — refined from the 1950 prototype. One-piece maple neck, ash body, blonde finish, and the two pickups that defined country and rock guitar. An enormously influential and historically significant instrument.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Ash (two-piece) |
| Neck Wood | Maple (one-piece) |
| Fingerboard | Maple (integral) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | Stamped steel bridge (3 brass barrel saddles) |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-line |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Finish Options | Blonde (standard), Custom colors (very rare) |
| Est. Production | 1,800 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two single-coil pickups. Three-way selector switch. Bridge and neck pickups with the original Tele sound.
What Changed in 1952
The Telecaster name was now firmly established. Leo Fender refined the design continuously. These early Teles represent the guitar's purest form — simple, utilitarian, and sonically excellent.
Collector's Notes
Black guard (bakelite pickguard) vs white/parchment guard — early 1950s Teles used black bakelite guards. Check that the pickguard is period-correct. Single-ply black guard is pre-1959.