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.

[RobertBakerGuitar]

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

[stevev]

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!

[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.

[charlespiper]

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

[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.

[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.

[saltwatersaddletramp]

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.

[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!

[jamesburns]

Leo is my GOAT. Designs that stand the test of time. Also, I got to see the Boss rock his Esquire on the Born in the USA Tour. He ripped it hard on the opener. Great solo. Great show. Changed my life really.

[jeffsquires]

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.

[craigthomson]

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.

[benjamin]

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

[scottbaker]

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.

[b.rodclark]

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!

[rylieriley]

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

[BuckeyeBassMaster]

"Amazing content, Thank you for all you do"

[ieblack]

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

[hollis]

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

[gregrandallbtsr]

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.