1956 Fender Telecaster
The 1956 Telecaster — the original solid-body electric guitar. Pre-CBS quality. Simple, direct, and endlessly versatile.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$21,000–$30,000
Very Good
$12,000–$21,000
Good
$6,000–$12,000
Fair
$3,000–$6,000
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Ash (blonde) or Alder (sunburst/colors) |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Maple (one-piece neck) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | Three-saddle bridge with chrome plate |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Finish Options | Blonde |
| Est. Production | 3,000 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two single-coil pickups — bridge pickup in chrome plate, neck pickup with metal cover.
What Changed in 1956
Telecaster fully mature. One-piece maple neck, ash body, blonde finish — the purist's guitar.
Collector's Notes
Black bakelite pickguard (single-ply) is pre-1959 identifier. Verify one-piece maple neck.