Fender’s iconic Telecaster has become such a cornerstone of electric guitar that, over the years, the design has disseminated more broadly throughout the market, spawning alternative renditions from a wide variety of guitar makers.
Fender’s iconic Telecaster has become such a cornerstone of electric guitar that, over the years, the design has disseminated more broadly throughout the market, spawning alternative renditions from a wide variety of guitar makers. Although Fender originated the design—and owns the trademark to the precise shape of the slim, elegant Telecaster headstock—the T-style contributions of several other manufacturers still enhance the wonderful variety of bolt-neck single-cuts available to the player today, from extremely affordable options to the most detailed, high-end, hand-built examples. Here, we’ve identified 15 T-style manufacturers you should have on your radar.
ANDERSON GUITARWORKS
Long one of the most respected names in quality alternative American-made electric guitars, Tom Anderson cut his teeth on T-style creations, and the fact that titans of Tele tone such as Pete Anderson, Clint Black, and Dierks Bentley have wielded Andersons counts for a lot. Anderson’s most straight-up rendition is the Classic T, which sells in the upper $2k or lower $3k range, depending on your precise specs, but the company also produces several variations on the theme, including the popular—and light—Hollow T Classic, as well as several three-pickup Ts with S-style switching, and others with humbuckers, vibratos, and all kinds of fun. andersonguitarworks.com[1]
CROOK
Throughout his 20-plus-year career, West Virginia-based maker Bill Crook has been known for his high-quality T-style guitars, but he has also been famous for paisley guitars in particular, thanks to the patronage of—yep—Brad Paisley. Crook built the blue-paisley copy of Brad’s vintage ’68 pink-paisley Telecaster in 2002, which was first seen publicly in the video for “I’m Gonna’ Miss Her,” and