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Fender Esquire vs Telecaster: The Differences and Which is Best

The Fender Esquire is often forgotten and overlooked but it had a pivotal role in the success of Fender and the Telecaster (originally know as the Broadcaster). It was the first solid body electric guitar – ever!

And the far more famous Telecaster came from the Esquire. So it deserves its place in the history books as an important part of Fenders story.

esquire vs telecaster

But because of the popularity of the Telecaster you may not be as familiar with the Esquire. And you might be wondering what the difference is between the two guitars.

While they are similar guitars they each have their unique sound and feel with both giving different tones. And one or the other may be a better choice depending on which style or genres of music you’re playing.

So let’s look at the differences between the Esquire and Telecaster, see the how they compare, what they’re good at and how to decide which will be best to you.

Main Differences Between Esquire vs Telecaster

The Main Differences Between Esquire vs Telecaster are:

  • The Esquire only has one single coil pickup whereas the Telecaster has two single coil pickups.
  • The Esquire uses a specific pickguard that covers the routing for a neck pickup, while a Telecaster has its own specific pickguard.
  • As an Esquire has only one pickup the wiring is different to the two pickup Telecaster.
  • The Esquires lack of second pickup gives it a different tone to a Telecaster – more responsive and harmonic.
  • The three-way selector switch in an Esquire functions differently to a Telecaster.

The body and neck of the Esquire is virtually identical to a Telecaster though. They both have a 25.5 inch scale length and a 1.65 inch nut width.

The original Esquires and Telecasters had a 7.25 inch neck radius but modern Tele’s are 9.5. The neck profile of the original Esquires and Telecasters was V but the reissues and modern versions are now C profile.

So in terms of playability they will be very similar. How they’re setup will be a bigger factor in the way in which they play.

It’s the difference in tone that really sets them apart. That’s what you should be thinking about when deciding if a Tele or Esquire is more suited to you.

So let’s dig deeper into those differences.

fender esquire black body

Body and Neck

As the Telecaster is basically just an Esquire with a neck pickup the body shape and neck size are exactly the same.

Where they do differ though is the wood used. Esquire bodies have traditionally been made from swamp ash (or occasionally pine) whereas different Telecaster models have been made from ash, alder, basswood, poplar and more.

The neck on Esquires were made from maple and the fretboard either maple or rosewood. Rosewood is no longer used due to it becoming endangered so the modern reissues of the Esquire are all maple fretboards.

Telecaster necks are also made from maple and the fretboards either rosewood or maple. Unlike the Esquire though rosewood fretboards have been replaced with pau ferro instead.

Maple necks tend to have a little more snap and bite as opposed to pau ferro or rosewood which give a rounder and smooth sound.

fender Esquire neck and head

Pickups

The major difference between the Esquire and Telecaster is the number of pickups. The Esquire is known for its simplicity and single bridge pickup while the Telecaster of course has the two pickups: one at the bridge and one at the neck.

Esquires only come with single coil pickups but Telecasters can have different configurations of humbuckers and single coils.

By having no neck pickup and only one at the bridge directly affects the tone of the Esquire.

fender esquire body

Wiring and Electronics

One of the main reasons that Esquires have a distinctive tone is the way the pickup selector works with just one pickup. Even though it only has a single pickup the three-way switch you find on two pickup guitars was kept.

So, how does a pickup selector switch work on a guitar with only one pickup? Well instead of switching between pickups it’s more of a ‘tone shaping’ switch for that single bridge pickup.

Looking at how each position works:

  • Position 1: When in this position the tone control is bypassed on the Esquire. This gives more high end and a louder, “hotter” sound used for leads. Much brighter than a regular Telecaster.
  • Position 2: This is the middle position and acts very similarly to selecting the Telecaster’s bridge pickup or back position. On an Esquire this engages the volume and tone control with the sound being warmer and less “hot” than the 1st position.
  • Position 3: Once again the tone control is bypassed on the Esquire. The 3rd position instead has a fixed “treble roll-off” capacitor/resistor network as part of the pickup wiring. This creates a very dark and bassy tone, one that when Leo Fender was designing the Esquire he intended so that guitarists could quickly flick the switch and get a bass type of sound.

The 3rd position was fiddled with a lot by Fender over the years until production of the Esquire ended in 1969. The dark and bass heavy tones weren’t very popular so Fender tried changing the capacitors and pots but nothing really worked (although later on the 3rd position would prove to be just what some jazz players were looking for).

esquire wiring diagram
Fender Esquire Wiring Diagram

In comparison a Telecaster is very straightforward. It’s 3 way selector works how it was intended – switching between bridge, neck and combined.

Tone

Due to the tonewoods used in the construction of Esquires, the bridge only pickup and the unique wiring of that pickup they have a distinctive tone. Especially when compared to a Telecaster. Even more so considering their similarities.

The fact that an Esquire doesn’t have a neck pickup means there is less magnetic pull on the strings. This means there is less dampening of the strings because the lack of pickup means fewer magnets pulling on them.

This in turn creates a very bright, percussive tone with a sharp attack and richer harmonic overtones. Compared to a Telecaster it’s definitely more responsive and aggressive.

Then the wiring for the bridge pickup and the tone shaping selector switch gives the Esquire more options that a Telecaster doesn’t have. You might think that only having one pickup would limit the Esquires versatility when compared to a Tele but the range of tones you can get are really surprising.

Fender 70th Anniversary Esquire MN 2-Tone Sunburst w/Hardshell Case
Fender 70th Anniversary Esquire

Famous Guitarists Who Play Esquires

Even though Esquires don’t have the same popularity or notoriety as Stratocasters and Telecasters they have been played by some amazing guitarists on some legendary songs:

  • Bruce Springsteen – an Esquire is his main recording guitar and for playing live
  • Paul McCartney – used on “Good Morning, Good Morning” and “Helter Skelter”
  • Syd Barrett
  • David Gilmour
  • Jeff Beck
  • Joe Walsh
  • Brian May – used on “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
  • Michael Monarch – used on “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf

fender esquire headstock

Fender Esquire or Telecaster

If that was a lot to take in then below is a quick overview of the differences between the Esquire and Telecaster:

Esquire Features

  • Scale length: 25.5 inches
  • Pickups: 1 single coils at the bridge
  • Body wood: Ash (sometimes pine)
  • Vibrato bridge: No

Telecaster Features

  • Scale length: 25.5 inches
  • Pickups: 2 single coils, 2 humbuckers, 1 single coil and 1 humbucker
  • Body wood: Alder, ash, poplar and basswood
  • Vibrato bridge: No

Which is Best for You?

You may be wondering why you would want what is virtually the same guitar but with one less pickup and so presumably fewer tone options? On paper the Esquire is just a slightly poorer version of a Telecaster.

But that isn’t necessarily true or fair. The appeal of the Esquire lies in its simplicity.

Many guitarists like the fact that the limited options of one pickup forces them to work harder when playing. You find different ways to get the tones you’re searching for with just your hands rather than relying on the ability to flip a switch and change pickups.

You grow a better understanding of how the instrument works and what you need to do to fully manipulate it into producing the response you want. You end up learning more about what is possible with such a simple guitar.

And there are some who just like simplicity, full stop. No messing around with too many controls or pickups – just plug in and play.

That’s not to say the Telecaster isn’t a great guitar! Or any guitar with more pickup options for that matter.

It all comes down to personal preference. Which is why it’s always better to try a guitar out before making a decision.

You may think that an Esquire is perfect for what you want. Then you actually try one and realize you miss the neck pickup. Or it’s tone just doesn’t do it for you.

So it’s always recommended you try the guitar first and see which one feels, plays and sounds right for you.

That might be an Esquire. It might be a Telecaster. Or it might be something else entirely.

History of the Esquire

Leo Fender wanted to create an electric style spanish guitar. One that didn’t have the feedback issues that semi acoustic guitars did.

So in 1949, with the help of George Fullerton, he set about designing and making the first solid body electric guitar. The result was a prototype version of the Esquire – with a single pickup from Fender’s Champion lap steel guitar, no truss rod through the neck and with a neck wider at the nut.

This would be refined over the next few months with the nut being reduced in size and a 2nd, smaller pickup installed at the neck.

The first Esquire was produced in 1950 and soon after the dual pickup version was made. Originally both versions were named ‘Esquire’ and had a logo of the same name, with the 2 pickup guitar unofficially known as the “Double Esquire”.

But in October 1950 they were renamed to the ‘Broadcaster’. That quickly created problems though, as Fender were sued by Gretsch who had a banjo and drum kit with very similar name (Broadkaster) and soon after it was renamed the Telecaster.

This resulted in manufacturing of the Esquire being temporarily put on hold before it was reintroduced with a truss rod. The idea was the Esquire would be a cheaper version of the Telecaster due to its single pickup.

But soon after Fender introduced the likes of the Duo Sonic/Musicmaster and Mustang which were cheaper and aimed at the student or beginner players. Subsequently sales of the Esquire continued to decline until it was discontinued in 1969.

It wasn’t until 1986 that Fender Japan decided to start producing Esquires again, this time under the Squier brand. Since then there have been reissued, most notably Custom Shop versions, as well as a Squier Classic Vibe Esquire.

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Esquire Butterscotch Blonde
Fender Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Esquire

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Esquire or Telecaster easier to play?

As they are so similar it’s difficult to say which is the easier to play. The only real differences is the neck radius on some Telecasters is 9.5 inch compared to the Esquires 7.25.

But it’s really the tone difference that sets them apart rather than how they play.

Which Guitar Came First, the Esquire or the Telecaster?

The Esquire came a few months before the Telecaster. Both were produced in 1950 but the Esquire was released those few months ahead of the Broadcaster, soon renamed Telecaster.

What Does the Pickup Selector do on an Esquire?

It works as a tone shaping switch for the single pickup. Setting it to the first position bypasses the tone knob and gives a louder, hotter sound. The middle position is routed through the volume and tone knobs and is the same as a Telecasters 1st position. The 3rd position again bypasses the tone knob and creates a very bassy tone.

How many pickups does an Esquire have?

Just one – a single coil pickup in the bridge position. It is routed for a pickup at the neck so you can modify it and add one but as standard Esquires come with just one pickup.

Conclusion

There are so many similarities between the Fender Esquire and Telecaster that it makes deciding between them tricky. But the tonal differences and simplicity are what sets the two apart.

If you can then try them side by side to see which sounds better to your ears and whether you feel the lack of neck pick-up holds the Esquire back. You’ll probably find one stands out to you pretty quickly.

Whichever you go for though you will be getting a top guitar. The Telecaster is where it all started and is one of the most famous guitars of all time, and while the Esquire doesn’t get the credit it probably deserves there’s no doubting it’s quality.

About Andy Fraser

I'm Andy and I've been crazy about music, and specifically the guitar, for longer than I can remember. As a former guitar teacher I've been immersed in the world of music for years. It's this passion and enthusiasm about all things guitar that drove me to start this website. A place where I could talk about the gear, techniques and general awesomeness that is the best instrument. I began playing somewhat late compared to a lot of people. I was 15 years old as it had taken me a while to find the confidence to believe in myself and take that step to learn to play an instrument. It started my lifelong love of music and playing in general. Since then like so many before me I've become an addict and gone through more guitars, amps and gear than I care to remember. I taught guitar for some time but unfortunately was forced to stop due to ill health. This lead to me starting this website so I could still share my love for and what I've learnt about the guitar. Guitar Inside Out is my way of sharing that love and passion with the music community and hopefully inspiring and helping others to enjoy it as much as I do. Learn more about Andy

2 thoughts on “Fender Esquire vs Telecaster: The Differences and Which is Best”

  1. QUOTE ” The first Esquire was produced in 1950 and soon after the dual pickup version was made. The 2 Pickup guitar was originally named the Broadcaster…..”,
    For the sake of internet accuracy. the 2 pickup guitar was originally named and logo-ed as an “Esquire”, and known as the “Double Esquire”. Then In October of 1950, renamed the “Broadcaster”. I’m not an expert, just a retired, career player… but I owned a Broadcaster in the early 1990’s, have owned several blackguards and well over a dozen of-CBS Telecaster / Esquires. They are individually unique and very different… even from guitar to guitar of same year. Some good, some not-so-good, and overy once in a whil one that can be exceptional. The idea that all old wood is vintage magic is a myth.. I have a 90’s Squier Tele that I’d prefer over the old Broadcaster.. It can be a true quest to find a great old Tele. Thanks to Guitar Inside Out for their efforts.

    Reply
    • Amazing knowledge Reese and thank you for sharing! I’ve corrected the article and appreciate you helping to make it as accurate as possible.

      Reply

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