Joe Bonamassa on 75 Years of the Fender Telecaster

“I always say Leo Fender got it right the first time a lot of times,” says Joe Bonamassa, “and this is the electric guitar that basically changed the world of rock and roll after it was introduced 75 years ago.”

Celebrate the “Diamond Jubilee” of the Fender Telecaster as Bonamassa—one of the world’s premier (and enthusiastic) vintage guitar collectors—talks about the birth, evolution and sonic majesty of Leo Fender’s iconic solidbody.

In this video:
• Learn Leo Fender’s original intention for the Telecaster
• Meet Bonamassa’s Los Angeles “session” Tele
• Discover some Telecaster virtuosos
• Hear why Joe Bonamassa prefers vintage guitars with personality—even if they “break.”

What’s your favorite Telecaster model, player or story? Share it in the comments.

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Chapters
00:00 – Intro: What Makes a Great Vintage Telecaster?
00:37 – Celebrating 75 Years of the Fender Telecaster
01:23 – How the Telecaster Changed Guitar History
02:09 – Leo Fender’s Original Vision for the Tele
02:24 – The Original Telecaster Wiring Explained
03:08 – Why the Telecaster Was Revolutionary
03:41 – Broadcaster, Nocaster and Telecaster Differences
04:13 – Why the Telecaster Has Barely Changed in 75 Years
04:47 – The Players Who Defined the Telecaster
05:42 – Playing vs. Preserving Vintage Telecasters
06:08 – What Makes a Great Vintage Guitar?
08:05 – Joe Bonamassa’s Favorite Session Telecaster
08:46 – Vintage vs. New Guitars: Which Is Better?