Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster: The Story of the World's Most Iconic Guitars

by Dave Hunter

Overview

Celebrate of the history and significance of both the Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster for the company’s 75th anniversary in this combined edition of Dave Hunter's two best-selling books!

The Fender Telecaster, created in Les Fender’s Fullerton, California, workshop and introduced in 1950, is a working-class hero and the ultimate blue-collar guitar. It wasn’t meant to be elegant, pretty, or sophisticated. Designed to be a utilitarian musical instrument, it has lived up to that destiny. In the hands of players from Muddy Waters to James Burton, Bruce Springsteen to Joe Strummer, the Telecaster has made the music of working people—country, blues, punk, rock ’n’ roll, and even jazz.

Fender’s Stratocaster is arguably the number-one instrument icon of the guitar world. When introduced in 1954, its offset space-age lines, contoured body, and three-pickup configuration set the music world on its ear—it was truly unlike any guitar that had come before. In the hands of the world’s most beloved players, such as Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton, Ike Turner, and, yes, Jimi Hendrix, the Stratocaster has since become a popular instrument of choice among rock, blues, jazz, and country players and, not coincidentally, is also one of the most copied electric guitars of all time.
 
In this authoritatively written, painstakingly curated, and gloriously presented combined edition to celebrate Fender’s 75th anniversary, author Dave Hunter covers both of the guitar’s histories from concept, design, and model launch through its numerous variations and right up to the present. The story is richly illustrated with archival images, musicians in action, studio shots, memorabilia, and profiles of over 50 Tele and Strat slingers through the ages.

With its unprecedented level of detail and stunning visuals, Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster is the only book tribute worthy of the world’s two greatest guitars.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780594291794
Publisher:	Harvard Common Press, The
Publication date:	10/27/2020
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	190,160
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dave Hunter is an author, musician, and journalist. He is the author of several popular books about guitars, amps, and effects, including Star Guitars, The Fender Stratocaster, The Gibson Les Paul, and 365 Guitars, Amps & Effects You Must Play, as well as Fender: 75 Years. A regular contributor to Guitar Player and Vintage Guitar magazines, he resides in Kittery, Maine.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Tony Bacon
 
PART I: LEO AND THE ORIGIN OF FENDER
PART II: THE TELECASTER
History of the Telecaster
Telecaster Tone and Construction
Artist Profiles
Jimmy Bryant, Paul Burlison, James Burton, Luther Perkins, Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Steve Cropper, Michael Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan, Waylon Jennings, Roy Nichols & Merle Haggard, Buck Owens & Don Rich, Clarence White, Jimmy Page, Syd Barrett, Keith Richards, Wilko Johnson, Bill Kirchen, Mike Campbell, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer, Andy Summers, Danny Gatton, Redd Volkaert, Pete Anderson, Jerry Donahue, Chrissie Hynde, Jim Campilongo, Marty Stuart, Bill Frisell, Vince Gill, D. Boon, G.E. Smith, Brent Mason, Duke Levine, Frank Black (a.k.a. Black Francis), Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke, Graham Coxon, John 5, Brad Paisley
 
PART III: THE STRATOCASTER
History of the Stratocaster
Stratocaster Tone and Construction
Artist Profiles
Bill Carson, Eldon Shamblin, Pee Wee Crayton, Mary Kaye, Ike Turner, Buddy Guy, Buddy Holly, Dick Dale, The Ventures, Hank Marvin, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, David Gilmour, Rory Gallagher, Robbie Robertson, Wayne Kramer, Lowell George, Randy Bachman, Ronnie Wood, Robin Trower, Dave Murray, Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Yngwie Malmsteen, Richard Thompson, Nils Lofgren, Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Robert Cray, The Edge, John Mayer, Sonny Landreth
Index
About the Author