1960 Fender Telecaster
The 1960 Telecaster with slab rosewood fingerboard represents the transition era — the essential Tele design now with a warmer fingerboard wood. An excellent player's vintage Telecaster.
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 5 verified sales for 1960 Fender Telecaster. Reissues, replicas, and parts listings are filtered out.
Specifications
| Body Wood | Alder |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood (slab board) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | 3-saddle string-through-body bridge |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-line |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Finish Options | Sunburst, Blonde, Custom Colors |
Pickups & Electronics
Two single-coil pickups. Rosewood fingerboard was added as an option in 1959 — 1960 Teles have the thick slab rosewood board.
What Changed in 1960
Rosewood fingerboard was now standard. The slab rosewood board adds warmth to the Tele's naturally bright character.
Collector's Notes
Maple neck (blonde model) vs. rosewood examples are both desirable. Slab rosewood confirms 1959-1962 production. Custom Colors are extremely valuable.
How to Authenticate a 1960 Fender Telecaster
Check the serial number on the neck plate (or headstock for later models). Fender serial numbers were not strictly sequential — the neck date stamp (penciled on heel) and body date stamp (neck pocket) are more reliable for precise dating. 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 1959-1960. 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. Slab-cut rosewood fingerboard (thicker rosewood) — this is a key identifier. Slab boards are flat on the bottom where they meet the neck. 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). 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.