The very first solid-body electric guitar offered by Fender in 1950 was the Esquire. With an elegant single-cutaway silhouette, adjustable 3-saddle bridge and a lone, repurposed lap-steel pickup in the bridge position -- the Esquire laid the groundwork for all solidbody electric guitars to follow and foreshadowed its more famous sibling, the Telecaster.

Like the earliest Esquire models, the 70th Anniversary Esquire features a pine body -- a lightweight wood known for punchy and complex tone - and upgrades it with our roasting treatment, greatly improving the resonance of the body. Other features include a lacquer finish, thick "U"-shaped neck, Tim Shaw-designed Esquire bridge pickup - inspired by an original '50 Esquire from Songbirds Museum in Chattanooga, TN - special anniversary neck plate and tweed case.

Production of the 70th Anniversary Esquire will be limited to 2020 only.

Hear the story behind the 70th Anniversary Esquire: