1957 VS 1967 Vintage Telecaster Comparison - Ask Zac 88 - Leo Fender VS CBS Fender

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Fender has made the Telecaster for longer than many of us have been alive. The elegant, yet simple instrument has evolved and had many variations over the past 70 years. Today, I take a 1957 and 1967 Telecaster and show how the instrument changed from the heart of the Leo years, to firmly in the CBS era. From headstock to pickups, the comparison is quite enlightening, and I finish the video with head-to-head tone examples. To finish the video, I give a quick lesson on the playing examples I used for both instruments.
Gear for this video
1957 Fender Esquire with added vintage neck pickup. Restoration and aging on the body by Dan "Danocaster" Strain. Rewind of bridge pickup by Ron Ellis.
1967 Telecaster - stock except for steel compensated saddles, and the tone control is wired to the bridge pickup only.
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10,12,16,24,34,44
Pick:
Danocaster Medium
Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb with Celestion Vintage 30 speaker, and bright cap clipped on the vibrato channel.
Effects used:
amp verb #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

[@newgunguy4176]

Man, you have no idea how many times I keep coming back to even older videos. This is great! Thank you so much for sharing information with us.

[@AskZac]

Glad you like them!

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

the 57 has that hollow magic sound few guitars are blessed with

[@erikwilson2326]

They both sound amazing but that ‘67 is what a tele sounds like in my head. Just brilliant.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

That 67 sounds extremely focused and punchy. Definitely the one I'd choose.

[@bastardsonofretkillr]

That 57 Esquire neck pick is sweet….lucky man

[@Southern.child86]

“Reggie” vibes on the neck pickup! I’ve got to say, in the last year and a half, I’ve learned more about the music and the instruments I love than I ever have before. Thank you for using your time for such a great cause Zac.

[@AskZac]

Love that!

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’m amazed that CBS left the Tele headstock size alone when they meddled with the Strat headstock. Those Teles sound insanely beautiful.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Some 70s teles customs had the big 70s style strat headstock.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

@@malcolmhardwick4258 The Deluxe with dual humbuckers and some Thinlines?

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@KRAZEEIZATION Exactly they look super cool but glad the standard tels kept the orignal size !

[@HarryTakagi]

Both are great! The '57 Tele has a thicker sound and a more historic feeling. The '67 Tele has a rather light sound and is perfect for country rock. My '71 Telecaster tends to sound the same as the '67 one.Thank you!

[@335gc]

Both guitars sound great.

[@gitaarmanad3048]

I stopped at 18:50 to say this. I prefer the 50's guitar over the 60's model because I like the dry crispy sound with somewhat clearer trebles. The 60's guitar isn't bad at all. It has a somewhat thicker sound. I like them both, but for me the 50'd model is definitely the winner.

[@anthonydratnal1870]

I'd normally expect to prefer the more aggressive sound of the '57, but there's such an amazing harmonic sweetness to the '67 that it won me over. Both are absolutely phenomenal!

[@johncox2552]

Love that Joe Maphis, Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland picking. You rock.

[@sabremh]

Really enjoying your solo work. Thanks Zac.

[@mralgebro]

One of your best videos! Great content. Loved the licks at the end too! I learned so much. I didn’t even know the black Fender logo was so it would show up on TV better-makes so much sense!

[@rogerlawson4516]

I would have to say I like the sound on the 67, would be blessed to own either. Thanks Zac for the free lesson. Great playing and great sounds on both.

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@StephenSpelman]

Really enjoyed this episode - thanks!

[@AskZac]

Glad to hear it!

[@rym5225]

Playing my tele while watching the new ask zak videos is the best.

[@williamsanderson9279]

Great sounding guitars. Thank you for a side-by-side of two guitars most of us will never be able to own . . . and a cool lick lesson to boot!

[@robertgandy1519]

Thanks for sharing your Telecasters with us. Look forward to getting my Tele fix every Tuesday. Your videos show why we love Telecasters so much. I have other guitars but my Teles get played 98% of my playing time.

[@AskZac]

Rock on!

[@louisdombrowski4198]

Great little demo,love this kind of thing. Thanks for sharing.

[@AskZac]

Thanks for watching!

[@jmo1366]

Great episode!

[@doctordox6278]

man ive binge watched so many videos the last week or so. Hyped me up for getting a tele, I appreciate that

[@NewHopeAudio]

I love your videos. Thanks for this comparison. This is something I will definitely share with people who may not know the big changes that were made. You always make me want a Tele even though I have not bonded with one yet haha.

[@AskZac]

Please do!

[@Zavijava1]

this is great to hear the difference and similar elements to them over the years...I had a '56 for a bit but never got to compare it to later Fenders(I went to humbuckers and Les Pauls) loved the v neck and those early pick ups...very different from axe to axe. I play Mexi Teles these days and love them(96 & 99)plus my other main player is a '60's Guild Starfire whichis another story.Thanks for exploring all this and cool licks...

[@pcau]

This is awesome and proves one thing: Each guitar has its personality and very own tone! Such an interesting video once again Sir :)

[@KB6YAF]

Another fabulous video by the top "Tele-Educator"......ZAC!!! Blessings to you Zac and thank you for educating us on the great Fender Telecaster. Oh, and I get a lot of positive responses when I wear your Fender amp schematic T-Shirt, which by the way is one of my favorites! ......Russell D.

[@AskZac]

Thanks for the help in keeping it going!!!

[@charlessimpson6670]

Congratulations Zac!! love that “new” 1957❤️

[@divingcowboy]

Great comparison. As a Telecaster addict it's been a nice experience seeing this. Thank you

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@nickycharlesworth]

Hi Zac, Love the show and this one in particular. I have a much modded 66 or possibly early 67 Telecaster. Has the gold transition headstock logo, Kluson tuners, Fender Pat No bridgeplate and serial no 201810 on the neck plate. As far as I can tell, the pups are original altho a humbucker was added in the middle position in the late 60s and a 5 way switch in the 80s. It seems to have a mix of pre and post CBS parts which I guess reflects the Fender tradition of using everything you had in manufacturing. Keep up the good work! Nick

[@KristopherCraig]

You nailed the comparison!

[@briannacery9939]

I like the yellow color with a black pick guard but I like the 57 small head with Klusons! The tone of both is beautiful! Saw a 52 Nocaster that I wanted!

[@ahg1358]

I've been an advocate of vintage guitars for many years, I'm 63 , but as of resontly the last 4 or 5 years I've been buying cheap stuff at flea markets and have not been disappointed . Mostly over seas fender stuff , but some of them are better than the original American ones that I've had in the past .

[@BenjaminHSmith]

Those are two super sweet Teles. I personally prefer the '67. Has a nice compressed honk that I love.

[@jimbeaux4988]

They both sound great! They have that tele sound that I hear when running fairly clean and moving on licks from string to string. 18:09 I have no way to describe it, but I know when I hear it. I would love to record with either one.

[@hearpalhere]

Man, the fact that you even changed the neck pickup on the 57 just to give us a more accurate listen to the fifties spec is super impressive! Thank you Zac for your awesome videos. They both look and sound amazing, I'm sure I'd be happy to play either :-) Great lesson at the end too!

[@AskZac]

Thanks!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Really like your playing style Zac!

[@edrushbrook]

I bought my 67 new for $280 and the $80 case was free. It has rosewood fretboard and a factory bigsby. I loved Luther Perkins sound on those old Johnny Cash songs. Twang on, brother!

[@insulartomb]

I know you're not much of a middle position user so thank you for featuring it here! Probably not usable in a full band but that '57 on its own...heavenly.

[@iamgcase]

Yes. I’d keep them both… good show! Enjoyed your picking! Thanks!

[@AskZac]

Good choice!

[@That52TeleGuy]

I learned about the lates 60’s thicker headstock when I picked up a recent Brent Mason neck pull-off. A guy bought a Fender BM and decided he did not like the neck. I certainly do but had to track down a set of Sperzel tuners to put back on it.

[@Joe_Hunt_Music]

Another great video Zac. Man you should do a full on old school type instructional video like we grew up on. I know I’d buy it.

[@bobk7118]

Great video…of course, I have to give the nod to the ‘57……and I’m with you on the 5751….I have one in my amp…..sweetens it up

[@ratgts]

Fantastic stuff Zac, keep them coming...!

[@AskZac]

Thanks, will do!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Those instruments are absolutely awesome. Super cool Cowboy Snap shirt also .That's my uniform when I step out! As always great video,

[@leethebee1560]

u have such incredible knowledge... i appreciate it.

[@guppybill]

How timely. I'm heading to Norm's Rare Guitars next month. On a quest for the dream Tele and amp. Thank you for your reply on the Deluxe Reverb vid. We should be jamming in no time. 😁👍

[@darrellm3410]

I loved the lessons at the end.

[@mauricioveiranoguitar6141]

Beautiful guitars Zac!!!! Congrats. I have a 71 and love it

[@AskZac]

Very cool!

[@charliefrappier5220]

Great video! Love the sound of the 57!!

[@bugzyhawk5941]

Another great one Zac! Thanks for sharing! I'm Ky Small-town surfing for that perfect affordable tele.

[@ColinStuart]

My 1967 Telecaster Custom was (even in those days), devalued because of it being refinished, in a pink-based sunburst! Having bought it in 1980, I switched the pickups to Seymour Duncan 1/4 Pounders! That I have still kept, and installed in my 1991 MIM Telecaster! In that time, the strings were top-loaded, so I had mine drilled though. So I guess it IS moded!

[@TheBoomtown4]

Fascinating, thanks!

[@davemassie3726]

Telemeister for sure! Your channel is like going to Tele Church! Thanks for sharing your babies with us Zac! Love em both!

[@charlescopeland1436]

Great comparo, Zac. I must admit I was prepared to favor the '57 hands-down, but, surprisingly both are absolutely brilliant! Must have one of each!

[@AskZac]

Right on!

[@Utubestir]

I'm glad to know my perceptions line up pretty closely to yours the 57 is like an older thinner knife with a keener edge.The 68 is somehow rounded off with a margin less definition and I hear the "whole" guitar with all its parts more in the older model

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

67' a little more treble and sweeter on the higher end, also a little more responsive to steel guitar bends, because of the slight higher end. The 57 is a bit more boxy and woody sounding... more mid-range. There is this acoustic like sound to the 57. Love both for different reasons.

[@ruffinogold5440]

Just found this channel . I so dig it

[@AskZac]

Welcome aboard!

[@edmoss2020]

67 the year I was born...both guitars sound great.

[@sunnyray7819]

I am on the parts quest.. Thanks for the video!

[@AskZac]

Good luck!

[@philmanson2991]

"Brash!" I was trying to think of the right word, esp. b/c I'm a retired journalist. Brash it is...in a really nice way!!

[@davegallagher7428]

Thanks for doing this comparison, IMO you have to either own a guitar or have someone lend them to you for an extended period of time to really find out what they can do. I will probably be in the minority but I prefer the 67 with the more compressed highs and lows ( I also prefer that neck carve) . I always enjoy your lessons.

[@iannicholls7476]

Ooh, that ‘57 sounds sweet! Not sure if it’s the guitar, the amp mod or, maybe, just your immaculate playing! Whatever, another great video Zac. Thanks for digging into all these fascinating little corners.

[@AskZac]

Wow, thanks!

[@antonytroughton2611]

57 has the goods....love the amp mod as well, great tone.

[@deanbanks3392]

Interesting comparison. I had a 66 Tele that had good lows and highs--all original. My distant cousin had a 73 Black on black Tele which played on the road out of Nashville in the 70's & 80's. It seemed good but not great.

[@kylemoran4343]

I read somewhere that a few guitar tech's agree, that the larger, thicker headstocks, with a beefy neck give you more sustain. That's why I like a nice heavy neck. Cheers!

[@AskZac]

Good tip!

[@larrypower8659]

Yes, that’s a good bar argument. My guitar guy also agrees that the larger head stock on Strats and the thicker Fender head stocks in general give a bit more sustain, also a somewhat rounder tone. He’s been doing his luthier/repair thing for about 50 years, so he’s seen, heard, and played thousands of instruments.. I tend to agree but every guitar is different. I believe any instrument is the sum of it’s parts - that they all interact to create the sound. I don’t know much, but I’ve been playing 60 years so that’s how this old guitar slinger hears and sees it!

[@alexhuevera939]

immeasurable

[@pekkachristmas9867]

@@larrypower8659 Exactly! I have a home made t-style guitar. No matter how much I wanted to have a fat neck, I had to admit to myself that I wasn't totally comfortable with it. I shaved the neck down a bit. It became easier to play. As a pleasant surprise, it also became more alive, more resonant and articulate, less bassy and dull. It's not just that I play differently. These particular pieces of wood seem to interact better this way.

[@lameyknives]

Thanks, very informative and interesting.

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dallastoto3189]

Dang ! Thanks for posting this. I liked both but, tend to lean towards the 57. Keepon Strummin!

[@jimpage601]

Great offering!!! You should have worn a tux, but Hell, awesome job!!! THANKS!!!

[@stauffrt2]

It was another video you mentioned it in, but the Burton tele really is the bomb Zac….in its OWN way. So versatile and sounds reliably great on most pu settings. Also has my favorite neck. No it’s not strictly a purebred telecaster (and I have a couple wonderful tele’s) but it’s great in its own way. James B knew what he was doing. That said. there’s nothing as addicting as a pure tele.

[@jacquesbazinet2172]

Loved it! I think I like the 67 better overall.

[@AskZac]

Fair enough!

[@johnkelley7543]

Also, I've got to say that I loved this video heaps. I bought my '67 Maple Cap because of your first video on those. Hearing the qualities of a '57 right against a '67 makes me double-down on my decision. I'm glad I bought mine when I did; the prices have tripled since then. (Got mine for a cool $3200).

[@AskZac]

You did great, and I agree, maple caps hold their own.

[@johnkelley7543]

@@AskZac Cheers, and thanks. Telecasters are the only Fenders I've ever bonded with. I can't abide by Strats. I'm primarily a Firebird player, but I switch between my '86 MIJ Rosewood and '67 Maple Cap regularly.

[@FabianSalomonsson]

@@johnkelley7543 I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the MIJ rosewood tele. How does it hold up? Thanks!

[@johnkelley7543]

@@FabianSalomonsson I love my '86. This only makes sense to Tele players, but it has an extremely Telecaster voicing, but with an added warmth and depth to it. The pickups they had at the time were quite nice. If you're diligent, you can get them for a good price. I've also seen one or two in the JV series, which would mean Rosewood and nitro rather than the heavy poly.

[@mikeaaron2819]

l have a 70’s vintera Telecaster which is a limited edition that has a maple 7.25 radius fretboard and is in buttercream so it’s a good copy of what you’re showing us here. The best thing about it in my opinion is that Fender has installed custom shop twisted tele pickups in the neck and bridge. It’s a killer sounding tele indeed!

[@JC-11111]

Dang it. I've officially been watching farrrrrrrrrr too much of your channel, Zac. I really want a Tele, now. 🤣 Luckily, I can get into Teles relatively cheaply thanks to all of the great budget-friendly guitars out there. One I've been eyeballing is a blonde/light yellow one that's sold by the company that makes the gold top in my avatar, Monoprice(Indio Guitars). They also make that top notch entry level 'Stage Right' 15w tube combo w/ 1x12" Celestion 75/Eighty that everybody loves, which I also have 😁.

[@bobilly]

Putting a 5751 in your first preamp tube, as well as making your Phase Inverter tube a bit more resilient by using a 12at7 or 12au7, will lower the overall preamp gain and allow you to wind up the amp quite a bit more without saturating the tubes. This results in an overall cleaner, higher headroom tone. This also results in the amp being a bit quieter due to the decreased gain. I recently reverted my Princeton style amp back to all 12ax7 and I'm enjoying the added harmonics that the preamp gain provides, but man is it noticeably louder!

[@bastardsonofretkillr]

Hi Matt….what speaker are you using in you Princeton Reverb right now I have a 10” Eminence Red Fang speaker in mine but I have a 12” Alnico Blue speakers that I’m pretty sure I’m putting it in and also my Victoria Chicagolux with a 12” Eminence I’m changing to a blue too

[@bobilly]

@@bastardsonofretkillr so actually I use a Morgan PR12 which is a super beefed-up Princeton, bordering on Deluxe territory with a 12" speaker. I was using the stock Greenback for a long time which sounds great, but I'm currently using an Alnico Blue which sounds amazing/sparkly but is also super efficient and loud!

[@skoffco]

She’s To my ears I think the 67 kicks butt, and I’m 57 vintage myself😄

[@michaelbentley4182]

Brilliant!

[@clintledford1392]

Cool video

[@guitarguru4492]

Love them both, but the 57 is my favorite!

[@henkkman]

Great info!

[@AskZac]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Would love to hear you speak on the Tele Custom sometime. I have a MIJ '62 reissue with sunburst finish bought new in 1988. I've been told it has a chambered body.

[@bristleconepinus2378]

i had a 67, bought it new from Ace music in Santa Monica, played it thru a Gibson Vanguard tube amp w/ a 15" single Jensen spkr. Used to take acid and play all night, the bums on Temple st. where i rented a store front would cluster in the doorway and i'd find them sleeping there in the morning.

[@TeleStrat335]

My '67 tele has a transition logo and klusen tuners. With the screw saddles and the F neck plate.

[@AskZac]

Early to mid 67 features.

[@nc8453]

maple caps always sound great.

[@billchurch1145]

Both guitars are sweet, but the '57 is definitely in a class all its own. Has that classic Tele twang we all love, and sustain all day long.

[@mikefromusa6902]

Keep the tele vids comin. I love them and all the tele nerd stuff.

[@tomk1tl39]

Ditto here...........dunno why people hate Tele's.............ever since I started playing a guitar, Tele's have always been my 'dream guitar' back then......I now have two........and may build a third !

[@newgunguy4176]

@@tomk1tl39 I can't tell you why some people dislike them but, I can tell you why I disliked them for so long. First time I became interested in guitars I opened up a Musician's Friend catalog and when I saw the Teles and Strats, I couldn't imagine why anyone would pick something so ugly over such a sexy looking Strat. I thought the Tele was the fugliest guitar ever designed. Then, I got older and slowly fell in love with the funny lookin' chick. I recently got a 70th Anniversary Broadcaster and I love it so much I almost done want to play it out of fear of scratching it.

[@tomk1tl39]

@@newgunguy4176 LMFAO........that is a great story......I thought that Tele's were 'sexy' from the start.....and still think they are. Sure glad that you got one and love it also ;=)

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you for the video. Looks like the 1957 has a smaler body size or is the pickguard larger?

[@AskZac]

Same size bodies. It is the 3 ply guard on the 67 that makes it look bigger

[@lone-wolf-1]

It‘s the perspective effect on wide angle camera lenses, and the distortion near the frame and corners. What‘s closer, looks bigger. Watch 5:05 , the '67 looks now smaller…

[@cyberprimate]

Both sound beautiful. Your general guitar tone in these videos is so nice and organic. Nicer than most guitar channels. What are we actually listening in your videos, is it just a room mic ?

[@AskZac]

room mic. I don't like close mics

[@cyberprimate]

@@AskZac Could you be specific about your mic'ing in a future Ask Zac ?

[@guitareveryone]

Great episode Zac. Both great Teles there. As for the thicker headstock I do believe , although I haven’t measured it yet, that my new Fender Brent Mason telecaster has the thicker looking headstock which would of course be Fender’s attempt at recreating Brent’s 67 tele.

[@jugstery]

Good channel.

[@AskZac]

Thanks!

[@patboudotlamot]

formidable ¡ merci

[@ianmartens5286]

The 57 is my favourite

[@edgarmcbee2474]

I would love to have a 67 made in August

[@dfuzzybuzzy]

Killer. Id love to even touch one some day!!

[@tomrutledge5621]

Great stuff Zac. Please explain in more detail, pulling the tube for Channel 1 and substituting tube/location; for the other part of the modification/ Channel 2. Not sure I caught it; and don’t want to damage my vintage ‘65. Yours sounds great.

[@AskZac]

You remove the first preamp tube. Then you put a 5751 in the second position. This makes the normal chan not work, but adds voltage to the 5751, and makes for a hot yet sweet tone.

[@newgunguy4176]

@@AskZac Thank you for the information. I didn't even know that could be done.

[@nani68]

Great show and great comparison of two stunning guitars. Is it just me, or does the 57 body look smaller physically?

[@mikeaaron2819]

The 67 is bigger for sure

[@kylecravens6501]

I like the 67 best - both great!

[@AskZac]

Good choice!

[@ronnieking1025]

Good One Zac Would Like To See Eugene Moles On Your Program

[@jonnybeck6723]

Thanx Zac ...and great playing (!) BTW... In your opinion, is the "knob" at the end of the headstock a wee bit smaller, width wise, on the '57 or izzit just an optical delusion? (How's that for OCD Tele nerding?) thanx again Zac

[@FuriousMess]

Too tough a call between the two. Better keep them both for sure. I love my 1983 top loader, sadly I've had to replace the pups with Bill Lawrence and the electronics, bridge saddles because of my caustic sweat. Still loving it in it's second incarnation though. It's a heavy bugger like a LP with that Ash body.

[@juanbaltar9064]

this is great