The Fender Esquire: A Short History

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My love for Esquires goes back to the 90's and Allen Hinds' recent use of just an Esquire for most of his gigs a couple of years ago was really inspiring for this.
One of the things I like about making videos at this point is being able to work with such great people from other channels. Chicago Music Exchange was VERY generous in letting me share their multiple clips on vintage Esquires here and Nathaniel, well, what can you say about a player like that!
Andertons, and Lee, the captain, of course, have also been very good working with me on these and here are they are again, very generous.
Of course friends I've made through the channel Rhett Shull and Robert Baker are both playing great stuff and were willing to let me use it again here. Without all of these folks the videos...would be quieter. :)
Hope you love it.
Keith
Books used when writing this script:
"The Fender Telecaster" by Dave Hunter
"The Fender Electric Guitar Book" by Tony Bacon
"Fender: The Golden Years" by Kelly, Foster and Kelly
"Fender: The Sound Heard 'Round the World" by Richard Smith

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

Any day that Keith puts out a short history video is a good day.

[@stankybee1046]

Amen Brother! ☮️ 2 U

[@eliglor9863]

Absolutely!

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Any day Keith puts out a video is a very good day!

[@benedekgabor.]

You are preaching the truth borther!

[@davidjonkassan]

truth

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

We finally did it! Thanks for having me on the channel buddy the video turned out so good.

[@fivewattworld]

Thank you so much Robert! I keep learning stuff from you man.

[@danielstoddart]

Do you still have the 70th anniversary edition Esquire? Been looking for one on the used market...

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Good to see you here!

[@me.roderick]

Hell yeah Robert!!!💪🎸

[@NoNameNo.5]

Too cool, I knew that was you right away

[@bleeknoir]

As a long time Gretsch and archtop guy, I’m a recent convert to the telecaster. Probably the ultimate “platform” I’ve found as a player. They do it all. If you’ve got the fingers. We work and strive. The Esquire, a beautiful monster of its own.

[@stankybee1046]

Yeah man! I don't play much anymore but every time I see one of Kieth s vids I gotta spank the plank n piss off the neighbors

[@scottbaker5938]

G.E. Smith's Tele is actually an Esquire. He tells a story about how he was always confused why the headstock said Esquire, and yet it had the Tele neck pickup. Years later someone showed him an old Fender catalog that said that if you had an Esquire, you could send it back to Fender and for $25 they would add the neck pickup. Whoever owned the guitar prior to him must have had that modification performed.

[@stevev8592]

As soon as I saw the title I thought of Syd Barrett. I built a replica of his ‘62. He’s sometimes forgotten and overshadowed by his successor, but he’s a brilliant guitarist in his own right. So glad you mentioned him and immortalized his very cool guitar in this short history video!

[@danielstoddart]

It's a dream of mine to be the person who finally locates Syd's Esquire. Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking about how it's out there somewhere but nobody knows where it is.

[@stevev8592]

@@danielstoddart me too! I suspect that whoever he traded it to for the black tele probably stripped it. In the mid 70’s, the “lore” and value of that guitar was a lot less than what it would have been now. Somewhere someone has a ‘62 Esquire stripped or refinished that was his… there is also the rare opportunity that someone has it in perfect Syd condition sitting under a bed or in a closet. That’s the preferred outcome!

[@danielstoddart]

@@stevev8592 I think of Syd's Esquire like I do the Ark of the Covenant sitting in a box in a warehouse somewhere...whoever has it has forgotten about it. Or maybe it is in a case under somebody's bed or in a closet.

[@stevev8592]

@@danielstoddart well they are coming out with a new Indiana Jones movie, maybe it’s his quest to find Syd’s guitar! After all, it belongs in a museum!

[@davidking368]

Any chance Gilmour may have it?

[@charlespiper9291]

In the 80s and early 90s the Fender Esquire was the unwanted stepchild. You could buy them for a fraction of a telecaster. Although I foolishly sold a few of them, I still have a 1960 Dakota Red and a 1963 Blonde. Thank you for such an informative video on an amazing instrument

[@mattrogers1946]

Hardly unwanted...

[@_-_Michael_-_]

Wow hard to belive that. They are Telecadter with neck pickup missing. Well market was different 30 years ago. Hell, I wasn’t even alive yet 😂😂😂

[@mattrogers1946]

@@_-_Michael_-_ I was...

[@faeembrugh]

Yeh, they and Mustangs were easy and cheap to buy. Just not desirable then.

[@danielstoddart]

It's true, but it was a great deal because they had the neck pickup cavity routed, and you could just put a spare pickup you had laying around in there fairly cheaply.

[@IPLAYLOUD]

Esquire tip: Try balancing the switch between 1&2 to get the Capacitor WITH the Tone Knob. 2 kinds of great mud.

[@craigthomson3621]

As detailed by Andy Babiuk in “Beatles Gear”, Paul McCartney used a right-handed (strung left-handed with a strap button moved to the body’s cutaway horn) Sunburst Fender Esquire with a maple neck and white / black / white pickguard during the Sgt Pepper Abbey Road Studio 2 recording sessions. The Esquire went through a Selmer Thunderbird Mark II 50- watt 2 x 12 Combo amp.

[@danielstoddart]

Not 100% sure, but I think that Esquire was the same guitar Paul played for the solo on "Taxman" for the Revolver album.

[@jerryseinfeld9815]

The taxman solo was definitely Paul’s Epiphone Casion. He used the esquire on his Helter Skelter solo.

[@calbassist2494]

He used the Esquire in Good Morning Good Morning

[@saltwatersaddletramp7229]

I found my ‘85 MIJ Esquire in the early ‘90’s. I was at a music store in Clearwater, Florida. I left the store and headed home without it. About five miles down the road I turned around, went back and bought it.

[@ChristopherLeeShreds]

I just purchased a classic series Esquire. I'm a huge Syd Barrett fan and I really look forward to having the guitar in my hands in 5 days thank you for the video.

[@danielstoddart]

I want to find Syd's Esquire. Somebody must have it and I'm guessing they're unaware of what they have.

[@DrMurdercock]

Seeing that dude witha pick jammed under the knob to hold it in place, and thrashing on the vintage guitar made my day man. Those guitars were built to be work horses and this guy knows whats up and plays his as intended. Super rad. I can NOT stop watching these videos man. I mentioned you maybe doing ESP, Jackson, Schecter, KRamer one day. I would be willing to help research anyone of these if needed.

[@HoverHorse]

I've been obsessed by Springsteen's tele/esquire since the early 1980s. I knew he'd bought the guitar from Petillo and then toured the world with it several times over. Literally symbiotic with the Boss's rock n roll image and persona. Love it. Thanks Keith!

[@AskZac]

I forgot to give credit to Nacho Banos and Deke Dickerson for the Junior Barnard info I shared with you.

[@jeffsquires6620]

Watching all these tele videos is killing me. Been waiting a year and a half for my masterbuild Bludgeon.. About 6 months to go. It's unbelievable how much a person could love and appreciate something that they claimed, would never own. Many thanks.

[@bruceterrell9287]

Well done and gave me insight into my 64 w/ a 67 maple capped neck. Mistake police- you placed a pic of David Gilmore to represent Syd Barret for 1967 mention. oops! 😁

[@benjamin3419]

Your documentaries are so great, I watch every one! MORE BASS please!!

[@honourrolle]

Awesome beard, even more awesome video.

[@thesjkexperience]

I made a mid 1950 Esquire with no truss rod and a true one pickup Esquire. Wound the pickups and everything. Two of my favorites.

[@GearGasms]

Yay for the Robert Baker clip!

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Not an Esquire, but my favorite guitar that still stands above anything I’ve ever owned, is my original 1985 Kramer Baretta banana headstock single pickup guitar. It’s loaded with an early Seymour Duncan ‘59. There isn’t any style of music that I can’t play on it. Since I still play gigs (miracle), when someone yells out for a country tune, my Kramer will pull off a very convincing Tele bridge sound just by the way I pick the strings and hold my hand over the original wood screw mounted Floyd Rose. A one pickup guitar is way more versatile than most people would consider.

[@hollis3853]

Good Job... Excellent source of Fender Musical Instruments history. Rest in peace Leo Fender.

[@zazoomatt]

Gee I am only now at 65 enjoying owning a Telecaster. Until now I had NO Idea these existed. Robert and Many thanks for Keith way to tell the story. FAN.

[@b.rodclark7349]

I agree with you on Zac's informative knowledge of vintage Fenders; Barbara Lynn played an early-60s Esquire as well... thanks for another great one!

[@petermach8635]

I bought a 1989 US Standard Tele with a vile greenish plasticky paint job, it was cheap because of the finish ... I took it straight to my workshop to remove the finish and respray it, whilst I was about it I routed for two Strat pickups. It stayed like that for a while but when I again refinished it I kept the front Strat pickup, lost the middle pickup and fitted a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster in the bridge .... a couple of years later I refinished it again in Sonic Blue cellulose and converted it into an Esquire and over 20 years later it still does everything I need ......... less is always more.

[@rylieriley]

I've been waiting for this one. Thank you!

[@shivasirons8971]

I was at a local pawn shop a few years ago less than an hour after someone came in to sell his grandfather's LP gold top. He also brought along another guitar to sweeten the deal but didn't know much about it. The pawn shop gave him an extra $500 for the throw-in; they thought it was just some Fender Esquire reissue with a neck pickup. I looked it over and immediately suspected it was something special. The tuners had been swapped out with locking tuners, and the bridge plate wasn't stock, but everything else looked 100% vintage. I talked them into removing the neck and the pickguard. The date on the neck pocket was 9/50, and I was able to verify the name under the date as a factory worker at Fender. The pots and cap were early 50's, the cloth wiring looked original, and the control plate was wired exactly as you would expect for an early Equire. The flat head screws, button string tree, and thermalite pickguard all seemed to be original as well. I don't know if the pawn shop ever sent it to Fender for authentication, but everything seemed to indicate it was an extremely rare 1950 Double Esquire - one of only a handful ever made. They wouldn't sell it to me, but I did get a chance to play it - and it was one of the best-playing guitars I've ever held.

[@mattrogers1946]

One of my biggest influences was Steve Cropper, and he played an Esquire on those early Sattelite/Stax recordings.

[@jasonfifi]

i love his peavey, too. i had one briefly, but like all peaveys, they recently became worth too much not to flip, so i sold it.

[@toddmoore2324]

Yes! Thank you, Keith! This is an awesome Short History! Well, they all are, but I've been wanting this one for some time now!

[@stickman55100]

Fabulous story about the Esquire!

[@benjaminfowler4513]

I play an Esquire because Syd Barrett, though I think most of the tones I associate with it are actually probably a danelectro and Selmer amp

[@danielniewoehner6235]

Thank you, now I need an Esquire, I mean hoodie

[@IPLAYLOUD]

The black Esquire that Leo used in his first catalogue had a PUSH BUTTON switch instead of a blade. The switch was from a LAMP.

[@DrMurdercock]

13:47 Neck "4" resembles MODERN strandberg neck profile. Every time I watch these videos I realize something I thought was new, isn't even close to new, but old enough to be new once again.

[@raymondmeers]

Having seen Roy Buchanan at the Park West in Chicago at least twice, I'm glad you corrected my impression that he was using a Tele. I didn't know esquires used 2 pickups at one point. So seeing him play, I thought it was a Tele. My brother and I were basically watching him play in amazement. He got so much tone and feel from the guitar(with no pedals), we were just mesmerized. I didn't check the headstock for the brand of Fender he was using. Thanks for the correction.

[@TheNoncritical1]

An Esquire with two pickups is known as a double Esquire. They are, essentially, Teles.

[@vdubbub9746]

So stoked. Thank you for your content, sir. I love Esquires and I love your short history videos.

[@deuce0609]

Paul McCartney acquired a 1964 2 tone Esquire with white pick guard which he used on one of the most important and iconic albums of all time- Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. He played the lead on the title song as well as the leads on Good Morning, Good Morning. It’s also debated if he used it for the leads on Helter Skelter

[@deuce0609]

Hi Sir, I got your message via email but don’t know how to reply

[@fivewattworld]

I’m not running a give away if that’s what you mean. Likely a scam.

[@deuce0609]

@@fivewattworld gotcha i just looked at it again and it said send through nicegram? Idk- it did say from five watt. Whole quote was “nice comment…. Message me right away I have something for you. Sounds like you have an imitator out there

[@jackpine70]

Once again, great job, Keith. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf.

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Indeed... a Fender Esquire is a fine machine...

[@kennethday9747]

Thanks Keith! I love Esquire 's

[@Guitar5986]

Was really looking forward to this one & it did not disappoint! Thanks Keith!!

[@guppybill]

Howdy Keith. As always, top shelf content. I appreciate you turning me on to Mr. Childs.

[@superbroadcaster]

Built an Esquire out of mahogany in 2018 as well as a couple other bodies, it's my main electric and it's beyond versatile.

[@davefree11]

Great Video! thanks! it brought back some good memories when I was just learning to play guitar back in the 80's. a classmate had a late 50's/early 60's custom Esquire that I would play every chance I got. I remember my amazement of the low action that took almost no effort to push the strings against the frets compared to the dreadnaught acoustic I was still learning on.

[@sirena7116]

Thank you for the great video, Keith!

[@darrellowe4208]

Hey Keith, Love it! You've created a sense of nostalgia in me with your videos. I was so excited to hear you were working on this video as you mentioned it in your last live. The video delivered, and this morning I've had time to do some extra geeking out and watched it twice. Thanks! I missed the premier because KZbin didn't notify me before 20 minutes into it, shame on KZbin.

[@timothycormier3494]

Very cool yet once again Keith! Thanks for sharing man!

[@jjdillon2007]

Great video, Keith.

[@ryanfulldark2775]

I try not to search for Esquires on Reverb too, lol! Yet I seem to often, waiting for that perfect deal to show up on a vintage one. I like Zac Childs’ videos about his Esquire, adding a neck pickup and suddenly you basically have a pre-CBS “Telecaster” ! Great vid, as always, Keith!

[@picksalot1]

Love your videos, as they are packed with interesting information, anecdotes, insights and mods of pros, hit songs and albums the guitars were used on. Somehow, your videos make me love the guitar even more than I already do. Thanks 👍

[@ieblack37]

Thank you, again, for your much loved Short Histories.

[@maxdevlin4349]

Roy was a local hero, I was so sad when he took his own life, I was working right across the street when he passed, Sweet Dreams Roy...

[@_-_Michael_-_]

I always loved the slick look of Esquire with bridge cover present. That is absolute clean and killer looking thing.

[@DavidHBurkart]

Short History. Long on enjoyment. This is a gooooood one Keith!

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Great video Keith, some awesome playing and what tone!

[@TheAtariCreep]

I recently built an Esquire themed guitar out of an old Hondo 781 1 pup explorer body and an after market Tele neck. Have always wanted a real one. Someday I suppose.

[@chisolm5]

As always an excellent video. Please keep up the good work. I look forward to all your videos now. 😃

[@HardwareLust]

Keith, your taste in Esquires is exquisite. I absolutely adore those MIJ Esquire Customs. Oh, and I love these Short History videos!

[@mister-LA]

Man! Another excellent SH, packed with info. I'll be watching this one a few more times. And Nathaniel is amazing!

[@hybridnoisebloom]

Of all the great short history videos, this one might be my favorite. It's inspiring to me as I'm about put together my own Esquire partscaster. Thanks Keith.

[@charlesirving9522]

Heya From The Roc! Gawd, I always loved Joe's Tele sound. Saw The Clash w/ David Johannson & The Who @ Rich Stadium in '82 & they killed it. Thanks for the vid! May your 'Plates (only Rochester people will get this...) always be hot, tasty & cheap! ps...Hope you get your Esquire back...

[@maggieo]

Keith, Zac, Robert, Esquires! Life is so damn good here in FWW.

[@PeteLamont]

Another great video! Thanks for doing what you do and definitely digging the beard!

[@jamesrichardson4988]

Okay, modding my Tele for just the BU, this video convinced me

[@batautomat]

Beautifully done.

[@me.roderick]

It doesn't matter what the subject is, Klon, early pauls or Marshalls 5 watt world delivers quick clear and concise fact.Truth & accuracy is a necessity for resolution and advancment this channel does this better than any other.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@shivaomega3149]

Thanks Keith, I thoroughly enjoy your brief history vids, didn’t know so many musical greats played Esquires so during their careers. By the way, respect to you on then ending, thanking those that helped make this video production top shelf.

[@thejuggernaut5327]

Excellent as always, I’m now shopping for an Esquire

[@jtcolecomedy]

Single pickup Fenders are incredible. I've got a '78 Bronco and a 2002 Custom Shop '59 Esquire (top load bridge - extra bright). Rich Robinson played an Esquire a ton in the early 2000s.

[@monday6524]

Thanks Keith! I have learned a lot from you over the past year! Another great SH video. 😊

[@_RLP]

My man! Great upload! And that beard is rocking! Keep it (all) up!

[@edc3093]

Thank you Keith for another great "Short History". Every time you post a "Short History", it is the making of a great day for me. While I am not a Telecaster or Esquire, I do have a high degree of appreciation and respect for the artists that use the Telecaster and Esquire style guitars. So, until the next time please stay well and be safe

[@telecasterbear]

Even more simple than the telecaster, the esquire tells me that simple is better, and that the tone is in your hands. The beard is better each day, Keith.

[@gotfiddle]

The pic at 18:16 is actually Gilmour, not Barrett.

[@fivewattworld]

Sigh, really!

[@Baci302]

I love these videos. Thanks Keith.

[@steveDC51]

Nice job. Well done.

[@gregrandallbtsr03]

Thanks Keith. I really, really enjoyed this. I have a Squire Esquire that I really enjoy. Sometimes when I'm stuck, using the Esquire with its simple layout brings out something new. Peace.

[@BuckeyeBassMaster78]

"Amazing content,Thank you for all you do"

[@TheHylianBatman]

Do love the Fender Esquire. Big fan, and glad to know they're still available.

[@thomasdeangelo1655]

I love these informational videos about guitar history!

[@markashe3786]

I do love your videos on the “history of”. For me they make me want to know more. Next stop an Esquire

[@rivereuphrates8103]

I just really love this channel, man

[@jfredknobloch]

Once again, nice work, Keith! Always some good information…

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Fred

[@l6srob990]

Great video as always learned alot

[@jeremythornton433]

What a killer wirey tone in the intro! Amazing! I'm amazed at just how well intonated it sounds at 11:30.

[@LDACG]

Great video thanks. Been away from the channel for a while, glad I found this to rekindle my viewing.

[@LDACG]

thanks

[@lrpops]

That intro track from Rob Baker is the reason I bought my Esquire. It's only a classic series mx model from 2004 but it's my absolute favorite guitar. The forward position with the gain turned up is just such an awesome tone. Thank you for the video.

[@garrettboomerbender]

The beard is back in full force

[@rtellomx]

Great video, Keith! - Thanks! Robert's guitar (and playing) is out of this world! When the 2020 came out I was about to get one, but I had already bought a Broadcaster and could not justify the expense. Also, Danish Pete's and Nathaniel's skills are out of this world, that rendition of "Born To Run" is spectacular!

[@rustygardhouse7895]

Had a '57 Esquire that I let go. That has haunted me ever since. Like to see a short history on the Tele Custom. Get your inner Keith Richard's out

[@Goomer]

I read somewhere that Syd Barrett left that Esquire out in the rain and it got damaged pretty bad so he bought the Tele.

[@indigohammer5732]

I read that when he was living alone, shortly after Floyd, he gave all his belongings away to literally anyone who came by his flat, guitars included. He put them all in the hallway of this apartment block, and closed the door.

[@charlieniner1552]

Great episode!!! I'm a fan of the underlings to Fender and Gibson so I appreciate the histories of these guitars!!

[@daviswall3319]

Well done Keith! I agree about Zac and his wealth of knowledge that he shares so willingly

[@chrisruef9221]

We really enjoy these. We'll pull them up and put 'em on the smart tv with the surround sound

[@bldallas]

Another great history lesson! Thanks Keith, big fan!

[@blockingthesunmusic]

I just wanna say Keith, I really like how you write your scripts! That’s another detail of the time and quality of these amazing videos!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks. I spend about half the production time writing.

[@seanhershey3390]

Always informative, entertaining...Thanks!

[@Null_Protogen]

I have a 1951 Esquire! The Esquire is actually great for black metal.

[@tonyevans9999]

Thanks, that was fun! I did an esquire build a few years ago based off the black guard era, 4 piece offcuts pine body finished badly by me and a wonderful pickup made by South Australia's Mick Brierley that is a work of sonic art, it rings like nothing else, and it's surprisingly versatile, totally dadrocks as well as absolutely dooms and all points in between

[@f1s2hg3]

I built a Fender guitar not a kit I just bought all separate vintage parts and I get the vintage neck Christmas. Esquire Broadcaster Telecaster all perfect examples of Leo Fender getting it perfect the first time!!!!! Even a copy parts vintages relic Fender guitar is “THE GREATEST MUSICAL INVENTION OF ALL TIMES”! Leo Fender proved hard work in America 🇺🇸 is the best possible place and era for the FENDER GUITARS HE MADE! Like LES PAUL SAID ITS THE BOLT ON NECK THAT SELLS IT BECAUSE YOU NEVER NEEED A NEW GUITAR!

[@jeremyward493]

Great video as usual!