Leo’s design was born in 1949, first as an unnamed Tele-shaped prototype yet to become the instrument we all know today. Come 1950 the first evolution of that prototype was on sale. Named the Esquire and featuring the now-classic combo of ash body and maple neck, this single-pickup model was released in small numbers with many suffering reliability problems – primarily, warped necks thanks to the absence of a truss rod. The next variant was the Broadcaster – also from 1950 and now featuring reinforced necks – which set the template for the two-pickup Tele we know today. The change of name came about after legal action was launched by Gretsch who had registered a line of drums under the 'Broadkaster' moniker. Before settling on Telecaster, Fender would release a small number of guitars with no decal (they were marked simply ‘Fender’), later unofficially referred to as ‘Nocaster’s. Telecasters in all but name, these prized early models command huge sums by collectors today.