1954 Fender Telecaster
In the pantheon of all-time classic guitar models, it doesn’t get much more iconic than a Blackguard Tele from the 1950s. Comprising early Telecasters, highly coveted pre-Tele Broadcasters and ‘Nocasters’ made during the first four years of production, Fender’s ‘Blackguard’ label serves as shorthand for the absolute top shelf of the vintage Telecaster library. It was in mid-1954 that Fender switched from a black to a white pickguard on this and other models, making today’s featured guitar one of the last specimens from the original Blackguard era.