Fender Esquire 1959 Blonde

The Fender Esquire, introduced in 1950, was Leo Fender’s first solid-body electric guitar design and the direct predecessor to the iconic Telecaster. Unlike the Telecaster, which features two pickups, the Esquire has only a single bridge pickup, but shares the same body shape, scale length, and fundamental construction.

By 1951, the Esquire was briefly discontinued before being reintroduced alongside the newly named Telecaster, serving as a more affordable alternative. Despite its simplicity, the Esquire remained a favorite among players for its direct, raw tonal character and unique wiring scheme.

This 1959 Fender Esquire, finished in its original blonde nitrocellulose lacquer, is a particularly fine example of the model from Fender’s golden era. The guitar weighs in at a very lightweight 3100g, making it exceptionally resonant and lively.

The pickup is the original and measures 7.15k. Pots are dated 1959. Wiring and pickup selector are original. Knobs are the rounded top course knurl type. These change to a finer knurl flat top type around ’56/’57, but we believe these to be original to the guitar.

The pickguard is not the original. The guitar has previously been “Telecastered” and therefore has added screw holes in the body for mounting a neck pickup.

The guitar has been refretted some time ago with medium jumbo frets which are still in good shape. Includes original brown tolex Fender case.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Body: Single-cutaway ash body with a blonde nitrocellulose finish
• Neck: One-piece maple with a soft V profile
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648mm)
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches (42mm)
• Frets: 21 (originally small vintage, refretted with medium jumbo)
• Pickup: Single original Fender bridge pickup (7.15k ohms)
• Electronics: Original pots, wiring and three-way switch
• Controls: Volume, tone, and three-way selector switch with unique Esquire wiring scheme:
  Forward position: Bass-heavy preset tone circuit
  Middle position: Standard tone control operation
  Rear position: Direct output bypassing the tone control
• Bridge: Original Fender bridge with three brass saddles
• Knobs: Rounded top coarse knurl type
• Pickguard: Non-original replacement
• Tuners: Original single-line Kluson Deluxe
• Weight: 3100g (6.83 lbs)
• Case: Original brown tolex