Fender harks back to its roots with the 70th Anniversary Esquire

(Image credit: Fender)

Alongside the first Road Worn Vintera models - and following last week's 60th Anniversary Jazz Bass - Fender has debuted a recreation of its first-ever solidbody electric guitar in the form of the 70th Anniversary Esquire.

Channeling the specs of the 1950 original - which was the precursor to the two-pickup Telecaster - this new incarnation features a lightweight pine body, which is roasted to increase resonance.

That’s topped off with a lacquer finish, available in White Blonde, Lake Placid Blue, 2-Color Sunburst and Surf Green.

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The guitar’s single pickup is a Tim Shaw-designed Esquire bridge single coil, inspired by an original 1950 Esquire sourced from the Songbirds Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Other features include a thick ‘U’-shaped neck, special anniversary neck plate and tweed case.

The 70th Anniversary Esquire will be produced for 2020 only - it’s available later this month for $1,999. For more info, head over to Fender.

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.