Vintage Gear Flashback: 1961 Fender Telecaster

This ’61 Tele is a special piece. The neck is slightly different than other years and I can’t explain why it plays so easily.

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
Ever heard “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison? Exactly like that.

INTERESTING FEATURES
This guitar is, in fact, the one used on “Pretty Woman” and many other hits out of Nashville where it was owned by a successful studio musician.

CUSTOM MODS?
Never modify a vintage guitar, I say.

FUN FACT
Andy Summers of the Police bought this model for $200 in 1977 with some interesting modifications. Coincidentally, I have one of his custom shop ones – brilliant! The neck feels very different to me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don Miggs is a singer/songwriter/producer and fronts the band miggs (Elm City/Capitol Records). His love affair with vintage instruments and gear only presents a problem when he’s awake. More at miggsmusic.com, @miggsmusic, and thelalamansion.com.

photo by Gabriel Burgos

For more vintage guitar profiles, head to Performer’s Guitars & Amps page.