Julian Lage’s 1966 Fender Telecaster and the Danny Gatton Connection

Discover why Julian Lage fell in love with a 1966 Fender Telecaster built by legendary guitarist Danny Gatton. In this demo and overview, Lage explores the guitar’s tone, history, pickup modifications and why it became his go-to Tele.

Lage was waiting for a guitar custom built to his specifications by his friend Alex Whitman at TR Crandall Guitars in New York. But a phone call changed everything.

Whitman told Lage he was working on his build, but a 1966 Fender Telecaster had just come into the shop that appeared to have been put together by virtuoso Tele master Danny Gatton and his brother.

Lage acquired the vintage Telecaster and took it out on the road almost immediately. “Right away, I felt it was the perfect Tele for jazz,” he says. “It was just really charming. Every note was gorgeous.”

In this video:
• Dig into the foundations of Danny Gatton’s signature Tele builds
• Hear the unique tone of Danny Gatton’s 1966 Fender Telecaster
• Where Lage feels the most prominent voice of the Tele resides
• Discover the pickup modification that really made this vintage Telecaster work for Lage and why the change needed to happen

What’s your favorite Tele tone and how do you get it? Share your sonic recipe in the comments.

Find the Telecaster that speaks to you:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/buying-guides/guitars/fender-telecaster-guide-history?source=4GOA4LOBA

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Telecaster-Guitars.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA

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Julian’s first ever multi-day Guitar Master Class is taking place at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, WI on August 19-23 this summer. Find more info at: https://masterclass.julianlage.com/

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Chapters
0:00 – Julian Lage’s Main 1966 Fender Telecaster
0:49 – The Story Behind Julian Lage’s Vintage Telecaster
2:18 – Why This 1966 Fender Telecaster Feels Different
3:22 – Why Julian Changed the Neck Pickup
5:18 – Danny Gatton’s Connection to This Telecaster
6:28 – Danny Gatton’s Picking Technique and Efficiency
7:55 – 1966 Fender Telecaster Clean Tone Demo
9:02 – Telecaster Neck Pickup Tone and Note Separation
10:18 – Why Julian Rarely Uses the Middle Pickup Position
11:16 – How Pick Attack Changes Telecaster Tone
12:40 – The Mystery Behind This Vintage Telecaster
13:58 – Julian Lage on Teaching and Musical Growth
15:14 – Finding the Sweet Spot of a Telecaster
16:24 – Dynamics, Touch and Guitar Tone
17:36 – Jazz Chords on a Vintage Fender Telecaster
18:50 – Telecaster Neck Pickup Jazz Tone
20:10 – Why Julian Keeps Coming Back to This Guitar
21:38 – Playing Across the Entire Fingerboard
23:10 – Vintage Telecaster Tone Demonstration
24:40 – Why This Telecaster Inspires Julian Every Day
26:18 – Final Performance and Closing Thoughts