Fender · Esquire · 1950–1969
The Esquire was Fender's first solidbody Spanish guitar. Only a few dozen went out in 1950, many without truss rods, before Fender gave the two-pickup version a truss rod and the Broadcaster name. The single-pickup Esquire came back in 1951 as the cheaper sister of the Telecaster and stayed in the line until 1969, with a bound Custom Esquire added in 1959. It kept the three-way switch, using it for preset tones on the one bridge pickup, and its fans like the extra treble. Luther Perkins played Esquires behind Johnny Cash, Jeff Beck used a 1954 one with the Yardbirds, Paul McCartney played one on Sgt. Pepper, and the guitar on the cover of Springsteen's Born to Run is an Esquire with a neck pickup added. Collectors value a 1950s Esquire below a Telecaster of the same year, so it's often the cheaper way into an early Fender. Because the bodies were routed for a neck pickup under the guard, converting one takes only a pickup and a pickguard, so check what the guitar is today.
Until mid-1954 the serial is stamped into the bridge plate, and after that it's on the neck plate, with an L prefix for 1963–1965. The neck heel date and the pot codes should agree with it, and the decal should read Esquire (Custom Esquire on bound bodies).
Many Esquires have had a neck pickup added, which makes them a Telecaster in all but the decal and changes how collectors see them. Refinishes, rewired switching and swapped necks also turn up, and the old pickguards crack and warp like a Tele's.
Buying guide
The Esquire is often the cheaper way into an early Fender, and we'd buy the 1958 see-through blonde from a UK dealer at $36,764 delivered, titled with a top-loader bridge and its original case. About 9 are listed and most ask $20,725–66,750 delivered, with the 1951 titled all original with its hard case at $51,900 and the 1956 titled refinished at $21,899 delivered. Ask for photos of the serial (bridge plate up to mid-1954, neck plate after), the neck heel date, the pot backs and under the pickguard, and check the guard has no neck pickup opening, since a converted Esquire like the 1959 Convertible here is a Telecaster in all but the decal. Skip the $18,299 1957 listing from Germany until the seller shows a whole guitar, because its first photo shows only a maple neck.
$21,899.00delivered
The lowest delivered complete Esquire here at $21,899, and the title says refinished, which is why it asks less than half what the all-original 1951 does. It comes with a hard case, so ask for photos under the guard and the pot backs to see what else has changed.
Fender 1956 Esquire Electric Guitar - Refinished Yellow with Hardshell Case - Us
$36,764.05est. delivered
A 1958 titled with its original case and a top-loader bridge, near the middle of the band and far under either 1951. It ships from the UK, so ask for the neck plate serial, the neck heel date and the pot codes, and insist on insured, signed-for delivery.
1958 Fender Esquire. See through blonde. Top loader bridge & orig. case
$51,900.00+ ship
The only listing titled all original, a 1951 with its original hard case from a US dealer, about $21,000 less than the other 1951 asks. Shipping isn't stated, so ask for the insured cost and a photo of the bridge-plate serial before you commit.
all original 1951 Fender ESQUIRE Blonde with orig. hardshell case
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$21,899.00delivered
$21,899.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$21,899.00
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Good buy
Titled refinished, with a hard case. In the US.
Seller: haggertysmusic
99.7% positive
Used$36,764.05est. delivered
$36,393.50 + $370.55 shipping
Buy It Now$36,393.50
Good buy
Titled top-loader bridge and original case. Ships from the UK.
Seller: newkingsroadguitars
100% positive
Used$51,900.00+ shipping
$51,900.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$51,900.00
Good buy
Titled all original, with its original case. Shipping not stated.
Seller: oliviasvintage
100% positive
Used$65,771.66est. delivered
$65,506.98 + $264.68 shipping
Buy It Now$65,506.98
Our take
Blackguard, titled serial 7693. Match it to the bridge plate. Ships from the UK.
Seller: londonvintagegts
100% positive
Used$67,715.55delivered
$67,715.55 · free shipping
Buy It Now$67,715.55
Our take
Titled Telecaster Convertible, so a neck pickup was added. Ships from Japan, and you may owe import duty.
Seller: dimeback-516
99.5% positive
Used$73,050.36est. delivered
$72,785.68 + $264.68 shipping
Buy It Now$72,785.68
Our take
A 1951, the top ask here. Ships from the UK.
Seller: londonvintagegts
100% positive
Used$54,900.00+ shipping
$54,900.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$54,900.00
Our take
Titled original and left-handed. Shipping not stated.
Seller: oliviasvintage
100% positive
For parts$18,299.00est. delivered
$18,000.00 + $299.00 shipping
Buy It Now$18,000.00
Check the seller
First photo shows only a maple neck. Confirm it's a complete guitar before you bid. Ships from Germany.
Seller: music-outlet-shop
100% positive
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