Fender Esquire 1969 w/ Original Case & Hang Tag

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This 1969 Fender Esquire is an exceptionally clean and complete example from the final years of the original single-pickup Telecaster lineage.

The guitar weighs a hair under 7.5 pounds!  Finished in a beautifully aged blonde with a maple neck, this late-‘60s Esquire captures the simplicity, clarity, and cutting tone that made it a favorite of working musicians and collectors alike. Included are the original case and hang tag—an increasingly rare find that underscores its originality and care over the decades.

Take a look around and you'll see that a 1969 Esquire is really rare.  There are two currently for sale on Reverb.  One is refinished, and the other is missing all of the original hardware.  The second one is listed at $12500.  The only other examples I can find for sale are custom color pieces in the $50,000 range.  

This guitar is 100% original with no repairs or cracks, no solders disturbed.  The one-piece, skunk stripe neck is pretty chunky at .88" at the first fret and it has great feel.  The original frets are a bit low, but the guitar is extremely playable - addictively so.  The neck is straight.  With 10-46 strings, the action is perfect.  The truss rod is loosened nearly all the way, to be fully transparent, but it isn't an issue as we've been able to set it up nicely. 

The single bridge pickup delivers unmistakable Fender twang with tight bass, chiming highs, and a lively midrange. The classic Esquire wiring circuit allows for three distinct tonal voices, ranging from raw and open to dark and rounded. The lightweight ash body and comfortable maple neck make this guitar resonate freely, while the late-‘60s craftsmanship reflects Fender’s transition into the CBS era with period-correct features like the black logo and F-stamped tuners.

The Fender Esquire, introduced in 1950, was Fender’s first solidbody electric guitar and the blueprint for the Telecaster. By 1969, it had become a rare option, with production numbers far lower than its two-pickup sibling. Players like Jeff Beck and Bruce Springsteen have relied on Esquires for their raw, immediate tone. This 1969 model represents the final chapter of one of Fender’s most historic instruments.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every vintage Fender is fully inspected, photographed accurately, and professionally set up.

We buy, sell, and accept trades on rare and collectible instruments. 

View complimentary collections on our website:

• Vintage Fender Guitars
• Fender Amplifiers Collection
• Vintage and used effects pedals
• Sell or Trade Your Gear
  

Specs:

• Color: Blonde
• Weight: 7lbs 7.5oz
  
• Body: Ash
  
• Body Date/Code: See Pics
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Date/Code: See Pics
• Fretboard: Maple
  
• Inlays: Black Dot
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 21
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-5/8"
  
• Radius: 7.25"
  
• Scale: 25.5"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .88"
• Neck thickness at 12st Fret: .945"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Total length: 38-3/8"
  
• Lower bout: 12-5/8"
  
• Waist: 9"
  
• Upper bout: 11"
  
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-3/4"
  
• String gauge: 10-46
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel, Chrome
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: Fender Single Coil
• Pickup Reading: 5.78k
• Original?: Yes
• Bridge: Original Telecaster 3-saddle
• Tuners: Original Kluson with "F" logo
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.