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

by Dave Hunter

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.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2020

Reviews

[John Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the history and people who played the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. This book provides the right level of detail and is a very good introduction to provide a broad understanding of the guitars and the players. It opens up the possibilities of further research and discovery.
Big format book, so it was a challenge to read in bed, but managed it :-)