1952 Fender Esquire, "butterscotch" blonde, original blackguard, with included all original 1954 Fender tweed Champ amp.

Before the Telecaster, before even the Broadcaster, there was the Esquire, Fender's first solidbody electric guitar. Introduced in 1950, with one or two pickups, few were actually made. After a year of no Esquire production at all, in 1952 Fender re-introduced the guitar as the single pickup mate to the two pickup Telecaster. The rest is history.

Guitarists as varied as Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, a young B.B. King, and of course the great Luther Perkins, have all acclaimed the Esquire's phenomenal sound and feel. With its single pickup and unique cut-out switching, the Esquire gives more harmonic overtones, percussive attack, and a louder lead sound than any other Fender. You can go from lead, to mid-position "warm", to third position "dark" with just a click.

Look at the photos. Judging by its slightly more rounded side-edges, the 1952 Esquire you see here is very special. It was likely a one-off prototype or early employee guitar, making it extremely rare. Oddly, while the body appears to have some overspray, it also blacklights perfectly, exactly the way a '52 blackguard Fender should. The all-original neck (pencil dated under the finish "TG 11-52") is time-darkened to a beautiful golden brown, with plenty of life on the original frets.

Under the guard, and above, everything is correct, from routs to pickups to knobs, to the 1951 pots. The original masking tape at the base of the control cavity reads "Virginia 9-14-52". Serial number (on the bridge plate) is 1337.

Of course the guitar has been well-loved. Its wear, dings, and scratches all attest to how excellently it plays. Plug it into the included 1954 Fender tweed Champ amp and the guitar sings. The amp is original from speaker, to transformer, to tubes, power cord, and more. Only the handle has been replaced (the original is included).

The 1952 Esquire is complete with original "ashtray" bridge cover, matching serial number 1337 issue of "The Blackguard Book" limited edition (in original carton), plus the guitar’s original and early Bulwin alligator-pattern 1952 Fender "thermometer" hard case (itself quite rare and valuable), and the fine-condition 1954 tweed Champ amp. Together an unparalleled 3-piece set of American musical history.

Today, it's a rare event when an original 1952 Esquire comes up for acquisition. If you'd like to experience first-hand the inspired genius of Leo Fender, here's a golden opportunity.

From the Illinois Collection.