1956 Fender Esquire

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 9 Apr 2017 4:32 pm

Fender Esquire, the serial number is 15311 according to Fender information this dates it to 1956 not 57. all original, in original case..This is a one owner guitar .The ashtray tail cover is missing, it has some wear on the back but all in all pretty nice shape. $ 18000.00
I cant seem to get any more pics to upload. PM me for more pics. I will try to post more.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 9 Apr 2017 4:42 pm

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 9 Apr 2017 4:47 pm

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 10 Apr 2017 7:45 am

I simply have to ask: Why did they have a pickup selector switch on them?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 Apr 2017 7:49 am

I believe there was some sort of tone bypass position. In the end, though, Leo made these down to a price, not up. Having a single component for all Tele-style guitars probably made their life easier.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 10 Apr 2017 10:56 am

E-X-Q-U-I-S-I-T-E. #wow

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 Apr 2017 10:59 am

Yes it is. This one looks completely untampered with.

John Eppstein · Post by **John Eppstein** » 10 Apr 2017 9:54 pm

Bill Miller wrote:I simply have to ask: Why did they have a pickup selector switch on them?

Capacitor selector.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 11 Apr 2017 4:42 am

Now I understand. A first glance it does sort of beg the question though. I don't recall this model but I have an old Fender products catalog here somewhere and it must be in it.

Bob Bales · Post by **Bob Bales** » 11 Apr 2017 6:39 am

switch in bridge position-pu only no tone control, middle position-now have tone control-neck position cuts most of the treble out of signal still have some tone control....how ever it sounds like mudd (yes w/ 2 d's)to me. I never use that position on my '58 esquire.... hope this helps...

Bob Bales · Post by **Bob Bales** » 11 Apr 2017 6:44 am

sorry I made a mistake....red v's esquire is a 1958, mine is a 1959. He smokes his....I just fumble around a bit...

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 13 Apr 2017 11:14 am

O.K. NOW this is serious. I AM a '56 "esquire" who is now seriously JONESING for THIS '56 Esquire. Dang! How do I free up eighteen large!?!

Donnie Stephens · Post by **Donnie Stephens** » 19 Aug 2017 2:11 pm

When I was 15,i was walking to my Aunts house.I found 1 of these in the trash.The neck was off of it.I put it back on and played it for years,I wish I kept it,

Bob Poole · Post by **Bob Poole** » 14 Sep 2017 11:13 am

Beautiful guitar...bought a NOS,4-8-56 Esquire in mid 60's for $149.95.It was in a music store that had bought out the inventory of another local store.My mom used to buy sheet music from that store for the church choir.The place was incredible.dimly lit & numerous brown tolex Fender amps & one or two blondes.When the owner passed away there was no one else in the family interested in keeping it open.Sold it for close to $2000 around 1976......wishin' I had a time machine now.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 15 Sep 2017 11:03 am

Three way switch: no tone control at all, tone control engaged, no tone control + bassy capacitor. Some folks will tell you that the lack of a neck pickup -- and therefore less magnetic pull on the strings -- makes an Esquire more twangy and responsive than a Telecaster.

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