Collection: Fender Telecaster Guitars
Our collection of Telecaster guitars at Chicago Music Exchange features one of the most iconic electric models in history. Renowned for its bright, cutting tones and timeless design, the Telecaster is a favorite among musicians across genres. Buy the best Telecasters online, including new, used, and vintage options. Find the perfect guitar to elevate your sound and honor the legacy of this legendary instrument.
Fender Telecaster Guitars
The Fender Telecaster is the original solidbody electric guitar. From early-’50s blackguard twang to modern studio and stage tones, the Telecaster remains a favorite for players who value clarity, punch, and a design that simply works.
At Chicago Music Exchange, we’re proud to be one of the leading Fender Telecaster dealers in the United States. Our selection spans every tier and era, from Squier Telecasters to Fender Mexico, Made in Japan, USA-built models, and Fender Custom Shop Telecasters—including Nocaster-style reissues, ’60s Custom Teles, Thinlines, Deluxes, and CME-exclusive runs.
Whether you’re buying your first Telecaster or hunting for a Custom Shop Blackguard relic, CME offers one of the deepest Telecaster inventories available, all professionally set up and ready to play.
Why Guitarists Love the Fender Telecaster
- Iconic bridge pickup twang with exceptional bite and definition
- Clear, articulate neck pickup tones
- Simple and reliable two-pickup layout
- Remarkable versatility across country, rock, indie, funk, blues, punk, and worship
- Classic slab body and bolt-on neck construction
- Vintage-correct and modern specifications for every playing style
From clean rhythm work to high-gain leads, the Telecaster remains one of the most flexible and recording-friendly guitars ever built.
Telecaster Models Available at CME
Squier Telecaster Guitars
Accessible entry-level instruments that are also popular platforms for customization and modification.
- Squier Affinity Telecaster
- Squier Bullet Telecaster
- Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster
- Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Custom Telecaster
- Squier Contemporary Telecaster
Fender Mexico (MIM) Telecaster Models
Mid-priced workhorse instruments designed for reliability, tone, and modern playability.
- Fender Player Telecaster
- Fender Player Plus Telecaster
- Fender Vintera II ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s Telecasters
- Nashville-style Telecasters with three-pickup layouts
Fender Made in Japan (MIJ) Telecasters
Highly regarded for craftsmanship, consistency, and unique specifications.
- MIJ Traditional Telecasters
- MIJ Hybrid II Telecasters
- Limited-run finishes and Japan-exclusive configurations
Fender American Telecaster Models
Professional-grade Telecasters built for demanding studio and live environments.
- American Performer Telecaster
- American Professional II Telecaster
- American Ultra Telecaster
- American Ultra Luxe Telecaster
- American Vintage II ’51, ’57, ’63, and ’70s Telecasters
Fender Custom Shop Telecasters
The highest tier of Telecaster craftsmanship, featuring hand-built reissues and custom-spec instruments.
- ’50 Nocaster Relic and Heavy Relic models
- ’52 Telecaster Relic and Journeyman builds
- ’60s Custom Telecasters with double binding
- Telecaster Thinline and Custom Shop Deluxe models
- CME-spec Custom Shop Telecasters in exclusive finishes and aging levels
Artists Who Made the Telecaster Legendary
The Telecaster has been central to the sound of countless influential players, including James Burton, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, Prince, Brad Paisley, Merle Haggard, and Jim Root.
Its presence spans classic country, rock, indie, modern heavy music, and worship stages worldwide.
Telecaster Specifications & Variations
- Vintage 3-saddle and modern 6-saddle bridge designs
- Single-coil, humbucker, P90, and Wide Range pickup options
- Standard, Custom (double-bound), Thinline, Deluxe, and Nashville body styles
- Neck profiles ranging from Soft V and ’50s U to Modern C and Deep C
- Fingerboard radii including 7.25", 9.5", 12", and compound
- Classic and custom finishes from Butterscotch Blonde to metallic and custom colors
Typical Price Ranges
- $199–$499 — Squier Telecasters
- $699–$1,199 — Fender Player and Vintera Series
- $1,199–$1,899 — American Performer and select MIJ models
- $1,899–$2,399 — American Professional II and American Ultra
- $2,399–$3,299 — American Vintage II Telecasters
- $3,999–$10,000+ — Fender Custom Shop Telecasters
Why Buy Your Telecaster from Chicago Music Exchange?
- One of the largest Fender Telecaster selections in the U.S.
- Inventory spanning Squier through Fender Custom Shop
- Exclusive CME-spec Telecasters with unique finishes and features
- Professional setups by experienced guitar technicians
- Detailed photography and accurate descriptions
- Trusted by touring professionals, session players, and collectors worldwide
Telecaster FAQ
What Telecaster is good for beginners?
Squier Affinity, Bullet, and Classic Vibe Telecasters are excellent starting points.
What’s the difference between Squier, MIM, MIJ, and USA Telecasters?
Each tier differs in materials, electronics, finishes, and build location, offering options at every price point.
Which Telecaster works best for country music?
’50s-style Telecasters with ash bodies and vintage-style bridge pickups are classic country choices.
Which Telecaster works well for rock and indie styles?
’60s Custom Telecasters, Deluxe models with humbuckers, and American Professional II Telecasters are popular options.
Does CME carry Fender Custom Shop Telecasters?
Yes. Chicago Music Exchange regularly stocks one of the strongest Fender Custom Shop Telecaster selections in the country.
Used and Vintage Fender Telecasters
At Chicago Music Exchange, our deep-rooted history with rare vintage Fender Telecaster guitars and quality used Fender Telecasters is unmatched. We've proudly showcased numerous pristine early "blackguard" Telecasters, highly collectible vintage Fender Pink Paisley Telecasters, and the iconic vintage Fender Rosewood Telecaster, forever etched in music history by George Harrison. Beyond these exceptional examples of early electric guitars, our inventory is constantly updated with a diverse selection of used Fender Telecasters from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, alongside excellent used modern Fender Telecasters.
Our dedicated vintage team at Chicago Music Exchange meticulously researches every vintage Telecaster and used Telecaster that comes through our doors. We possess extensive knowledge of the serial number systems used on these fantastic instruments and are always eager to share our expertise with you. Contact us via chat, call, or email for detailed information about any used or vintage Fender Telecaster listed on our website. Understanding the importance of weight for many players, we provide the weight of every used Telecaster directly on its listing. From popular used Fender Player Telecasters and professional-grade used Fender American Professional Telecasters to versatile used Fender Telecaster Deluxe and lightweight used Fender Telecaster Thinline models, we offer a comprehensive selection. Don't hesitate to use the "Offer" button on our used and vintage Fender Telecaster listings to submit your price and secure the best possible deal.
"Chicago Special" Fender Telecasters
As a testament to our strong and collaborative relationship with the Fender brand, Chicago Music Exchange has proudly partnered to create exclusive Fender Telecaster guitar models that uniquely contribute to the iconic history of this legendary instrument. Through our close work with Fender, we've developed Telecasters featuring distinctive finishes and custom appointments. Notably, we've engineered our proprietary "Chicago Special" pickups, a hallmark of our Custom Shop creations, offering a sonic signature that can only be found in CME exclusive Fender guitars. These unique collaborations underscore our deep commitment to providing Fender enthusiasts with exceptional and distinctive instruments.
The defining characteristic of a Fender "Chicago Special" guitar lies within its exclusive pickups, which embody what we at CME consider the quintessential "Chicago sound"—a versatile tonal palette reflecting the widespread appeal of Fender instruments across diverse musical landscapes. Designed by Chicago Music Exchange in collaboration with Mike Lewis, Vice President of Product Development at Fender Custom Shop, these "Chicago Special" pickups are exclusively available on CME's Fender models and through Custom Shop orders placed via Chicago Music Exchange. Each precisely calibrated pickup set utilizes our preferred enamel wire gauges and alnico magnets for balanced output and is potted in shellac to achieve an open, wide-range frequency response that preserves crucial high-end detail, making these unique pickups unattainable from any other retailer or directly from Fender.
Squier Telecasters
Looking for an affordable Telecaster guitar that doesn't compromise on style or sound? Squier Telecasters are an excellent choice, making them perfect Telecasters for beginner guitarists just starting their musical journey. However, their impressive playability and tone also appeal to seasoned guitar players who want to add a budget-friendly Telecaster to their collection without breaking the bank. At Chicago Music Exchange, we're proud to offer a wide variety of Squier Telecaster models, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your needs and budget. Explore our selection of cheap Telecasters and discover incredible value. What sets us apart is our exciting range of exclusive Squier Telecasters, featuring unique finishes you won't find anywhere else. These eye-catching Telecaster guitars not only sound fantastic but are also guaranteed to turn heads on stage or in your practice room.