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

Fender 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.

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.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as more than 20 years performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.