Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster Electric Guitar - Maple Fingerboard, Butterscotch Blonde

Experience Iconic Fender Guitars Made to Their Original Spec - The Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster Electric Guitar with a Maple Fingerboard in Butterscotch Blonde

The Fender® American Vintage II series presents a remarkably accurate take on the revolutionary designs that altered the course of musical history. Built with period-accurate bodies, necks and hardware, premium finishes and meticulously voiced, year-specific pickups, each instrument captures the essence of authentic Fender craftsmanship and tone.

Just one year after launching the Broadcaster®, Fender received a cease-and-desist telegram from the Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co. and was faced with renaming its flagship electric guitar. Taking inspiration from the booming growth and expansive reach of television, the first blackguard Telecaster rolled off the line in 1951, and the model has been in continuous production ever since. Deceptively simple and totally groundbreaking, the Telecaster® brought the solid body electric guitar to the masses, inspiring countless musicians along the way.

The American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster features an ash body finished in Butterscotch Blonde to capture the tone and look of the original. The substantial '51 "U"-shaped hard rock maple neck plays like a dream with a 7.25" radius fingerboard and vintage tall frets. Characteristic of production in 1951, 12th fret face-dot spacing is narrow and the sole Phillips-head fastener on the guitar is at the truss rod nut. The triple brass saddle bridge, single-line "Fender Deluxe" tuners and Pure Vintage '51 Telecaster pickups deliver classic twang and authentic Fender style.

The instruments in the American Vintage II series are direct descendants of the original Fenders: designed for players with a fine appreciation for vintage Fender tone and feel and built with unmatched quality, down to the last screw. These are Fender electrics in their purest form: Fender American Vintage II, the stuff of legends. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Body

• Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Shape: Telecaster®
• Body Material: Ash

Neck

• Headstock: Telecaster
• Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
• Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Shape: 1951 "U"
• Neck Construction: 4-Bolt
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
• Fingerboard Material: Maple
• Position Inlays: Black Dot
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 21
• Fret Size: Vintage Tall
• Scale Length: 25.5" (64.77 cm)
• Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
• Truss Rod Nut: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
• String Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
• Nut Material: Bone

Hardware

• Bridge: Pure Vintage 3-Saddle Tele® with Brass Barrel Saddles, Serialized
• Bridge Cover/Tailpiece: Includes Chrome Bridge Cover
• Bridge Mounting: 4-Screw Vintage-Style
• Pickguard: 1-Ply Black Phenolic
• Pickup Covers: Neck: Chrome; Bridge: Black
• Control Knobs: Knurled Dome
• Switch Tip: Barrel Style, Black
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Pure Vintage Single Line "Fender Deluxe"
• String Trees: Dual-Wing
• Strings: Fender® USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt
• Strap Buttons: Vintage-Style

Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: Pure Vintage '51 Single-Coil Tele®
• Neck Pickup: Pure Vintage '51 Single-Coil Tele®
• Pickup Configuration: SS
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Switching (3-Position Blade):
  • Position 1. Bridge Pickup
  • Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
  • Position 3. Neck Pickup

We are Musictoner Musictoner

Since 1958, Chuck Levin’s Musictoner has been the trusted destination for musicians and audio professionals across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Family-owned and operated, our legendary music store delivers Everything in Music®—from instruments and recording gear to pro audio, rentals, and repair services.

Our team of musicians and industry experts lives and breathes gear, helping you build the perfect setup for your next performance, studio session, or installation. As an authorized dealer for top brands, we also offer our award-winning CHUCKSCLUSIVE line—exclusive, limited-edition instruments and collaborations recognized with the NAMM Top 100 Dealer Innovation Award for redefining what a music retail experience can be.

Chuck Levin’s isn’t just a store—it’s a community built by players, engineers, and creators who share a lifelong passion for sound. Stop by our legendary Wheaton, MD showroom or contact us anytime for expert advice, product questions, or the best possible deal on your next piece of gear.