The 1960 Fender Esquire in Blonde is a genuine Pre-CBS Fender from one of the most celebrated periods in the company’s history, combining the wonderfully simple single-pickup Esquire design with the construction, feel and character that have made early Fender electrics so desirable to players and collectors.

Built in the USA in 1960, this Esquire features the classic combination of an ash body, bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale and a single bridge-position pickup controlled through Fender’s distinctive three-way Esquire circuit.

Most importantly, this guitar retains all of its original hardware and electronics, an increasingly significant consideration on an instrument now more than six decades old.

This is a genuinely played vintage guitar and carries heavy cosmetic wear consistent with its age and extensive previous use. Rather than detracting from its character, the wear documents decades of genuine playing history and gives this Esquire the unmistakable appearance that only a real vintage instrument can develop.

This example is in Very Good condition for its age, weighs an actual 7.12 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Fender
Model	Esquire
Year	1960
Era	Pre-CBS
Finish	Blonde
Country	USA
Pickup Configuration	Single Bridge Pickup
Originality	Original Hardware & Electronics
Cosmetic Condition	Heavy Genuine Age-Related Wear
Weight	7.12 lbs
Condition	Very Good for its Age
Case	Hardcase Included

PRE-OWNED / VINTAGE CONDITION REPORT

This is a genuine 1960 Fender Esquire in Very Good condition for its age.

As should be expected from a guitar that is more than six decades old and has clearly been played extensively, there is heavy cosmetic wear throughout. Buyers should expect substantial marks, knocks, scratches, finish wear and general ageing consistent with a genuinely used vintage electric guitar.

This is not a cosmetically clean collector-piece condition guitar. Its appeal lies in its genuine age, originality, extensive playing history and the character accumulated through decades of use.

Importantly, the guitar retains all of its original hardware and electronics.

This individual Esquire weighs 7.12 lbs.

A hardcase is included.

ORIGINAL HARDWARE & ELECTRONICS

One of the most important features of this particular Esquire is the retention of its original hardware and electronics.

Original components become increasingly important on guitars of this age, both from a historical and collector perspective. The fact that the working hardware and electronic components remain with the guitar gives this 1960 Esquire a particularly strong level of period integrity.

The cosmetic wear should therefore be viewed in the context of a genuine vintage instrument that has survived decades of use while retaining these important original components.

KEY FEATURES

• Genuine 1960 Fender Esquire

• Pre-CBS Fender production

• Made in USA

• Blonde finish

• Ash body

• Bolt-on maple neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 25.5" scale length

• 21-fret vintage Fender layout

• Single bridge-position pickup

• Traditional Esquire three-position switching

• Master Volume

• Master Tone

• Original electronics

• Original hardware

• String-through-body construction

• Vintage 3-saddle bridge

• Traditional Fender tuning machines

• Genuine heavy age-related cosmetic wear

• Actual measured weight of 7.12 lbs

• Very Good condition for its age

• Hardcase included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

Few electric guitars are as simple or as historically important as the original Fender Esquire.

With just one bridge pickup, the Esquire places almost everything in the player’s hands. Picking position, attack, guitar volume and the three-position control circuit become central to shaping the sound.

A genuine 1960 Pre-CBS example adds an entirely different level of interest. This guitar comes from the period now regarded as Fender’s original golden era and has accumulated the wear and visual character of more than 60 years of real use.

At 7.12 lbs, it is also a very attractive weight for a vintage ash-bodied Fender.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Genuine 1960 Pre-CBS Fender

This guitar dates from 1960, placing it firmly within Fender’s original Pre-CBS production era.

These early instruments represent the period during which Fender established many of the electric-guitar designs that continue to define the industry today.

The Original Esquire Concept

The Esquire is one of Fender’s earliest solid-body electric guitar designs.

Although visually closely related to the Telecaster, its defining feature is the use of a single bridge pickup combined with a specialised three-position switching circuit.

Ash Body

Blonde Fender Esquires of this period are associated with ash body construction, providing the traditional platform for the model’s clear and immediate response.

Blonde Finish

The Blonde finish is one of the quintessential early Fender looks and is particularly closely associated with Telecaster and Esquire models of this era.

On this example, decades of genuine use have left substantial visible wear that gives the instrument an unmistakably authentic vintage appearance.

Maple Neck

The bolt-on maple neck follows Leo Fender’s straightforward and serviceable construction philosophy.

This design became one of the defining features of Fender electric guitars.

Rosewood Fingerboard

By 1960, Fender was using rosewood fingerboards on models including the Esquire and Telecaster.

This gives the guitar the classic early-'60s appearance of a maple neck with dark fingerboard and dot position markers.

25.5" Scale Length

The traditional Fender 25.5" scale length provides excellent articulation, clear low-end response and the characteristic string tension associated with Telecaster-family guitars.

21-Fret Vintage Layout

The neck uses Fender’s traditional 21-fret configuration, consistent with the vintage specification of the period.

Single Bridge Pickup

The Esquire uses just one pickup in the bridge position.

This simplicity is central to the model’s identity and produces an immediate, cutting response that works exceptionally well for country, blues and early rock sounds.

Three-Position Esquire Circuit

Although the guitar has only one pickup, the three-way selector is not redundant.

The traditional Esquire wiring uses the selector to access different versions of the bridge pickup response, historically providing a direct brighter sound, conventional volume-and-tone operation and a darker preset voice.

Original Electronics

This guitar retains its original electronics, an important detail on an instrument from 1960.

On vintage guitars, untouched or original-period electronic components can be a substantial part of the instrument’s historical and collector appeal.

Original Hardware

The guitar also retains its original hardware.

Original bridges, tuners, plates, knobs and related components are increasingly significant on instruments of this age.

Heavy Genuine Wear

The extensive wear across this guitar has developed through decades of genuine use.

There is no attempt here to present the instrument as cosmetically pristine. It has the knocks, marks, finish wear and ageing expected from a heavily played vintage guitar.

For many players, that genuine history is precisely what makes an instrument like this so compelling.

7.12 lbs Actual Weight

This individual Esquire weighs 7.12 lbs.

That is an appealing weight for a vintage ash-bodied Fender and should make the guitar manageable for extended playing as well as attractive to collectors who pay particular attention to instrument weight.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This 1960 Fender Esquire is particularly suited to serious vintage Fender enthusiasts, collectors and experienced players looking for a genuine Pre-CBS instrument with original hardware and electronics.

It is also an obvious choice for Telecaster and Esquire players who want the feel and character of a genuine period instrument rather than a modern reissue or artificially aged recreation.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The Esquire has strong historical associations with:

• Country

• Blues

• Early rock and roll

• Rock

• Roots

• Americana

• Rhythm and blues

• Lead guitar

• Studio recording

• Vintage-style clean tones

• Driven valve-amp sounds

Its single bridge pickup responds particularly well to changes in picking dynamics and guitar-volume settings.

HOW IT COMPARES

Original 1960 Esquire vs Modern Reissue

A modern Fender Custom Shop or production Esquire can recreate the dimensions, finish style and electronics of an early instrument.

A genuine 1960 Esquire, however, carries original-period construction, decades of natural ageing and the history of an actual Pre-CBS Fender.

Esquire vs Telecaster

A traditional Telecaster has separate bridge and neck pickups.

The Esquire uses only the bridge pickup but employs specialised three-way electronics to give several tonal responses from that single pickup.

Genuine Wear vs Factory Ageing

Modern relic guitars reproduce wear cosmetically.

The substantial wear on this instrument has developed naturally over more than six decades of ownership and playing.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Vintage Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Model	Esquire
Year	1960
Era	Pre-CBS
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Blonde
Body Shape	Esquire / Telecaster
Body Material	Ash
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	25.5"
Frets	21
Pickup Configuration	S
Pickup	Single Bridge Pickup
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	3-Way Esquire Selector
Bridge	Vintage 3-Saddle String-Through
Hardware	Original
Electronics Originality	Original
Cosmetic Wear	Heavy Age-Related Wear
Weight	7.12 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Condition	Very Good for its Age / Vintage Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The 1960 Fender Esquire uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Serious vintage Fender players and collectors looking for a genuine Pre-CBS Esquire that retains its original hardware and electronics.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Custom Shop Esquire and Telecaster reissues, American Vintage models and other high-end vintage-inspired T-style guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Vintage-style valve amplifiers, tweed-style combos, low-gain overdrive, spring reverb and straightforward analogue rigs.

Our tip: With an instrument of this significance, resist the temptation to judge it by modern cosmetic grading alone. The heavy wear is obvious, but the combination of a genuine 1960 build, original hardware and electronics, and 7.12 lbs weight is what makes this guitar special.

Showroom feedback: Nothing artificially aged quite replicates a genuine guitar that has been played for more than six decades. The wear tells you immediately that this Esquire has had a life, while the retained original hardware and electronics give it real vintage integrity.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a genuine 1960 Fender Esquire is fundamentally different from buying a modern used guitar.

This is an individual vintage instrument with decades of history, extensive genuine wear and the character associated with a surviving Pre-CBS Fender.

This example retains all of its original hardware and electronics, weighs 7.12 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging vintage, rare and high-value guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with vintage and high-value guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or collection could help towards the cost of this 1960 Fender Esquire.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges vintage and modern guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you own vintage or high-value instruments you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess them for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the complications associated with privately selling valuable musical instruments while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next purchase.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this a genuine 1960 Fender Esquire?

Yes. This is a genuine 1960 Fender Esquire.

Is it Pre-CBS?

Yes. A 1960 Fender is firmly within the highly regarded Pre-CBS era.

What finish does it have?

It has a Blonde finish.

Is the finish original?

The originality of the finish has not been specifically confirmed, so no claim has been made regarding it.

Is the hardware original?

Yes. The guitar retains all of its original hardware.

Are the electronics original?

Yes. The guitar retains all of its original electronics.

Has it been heavily played?

Yes. This guitar shows heavy cosmetic wear consistent with its age and extensive previous use.

Is the heavy wear considered a fault?

The wear is substantial, but on a genuine 1960 instrument it should be understood in the context of more than six decades of use.

What body wood does it have?

The 1960 Blonde Esquire specification uses ash.

What is the neck made from?

It has a maple neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a rosewood fingerboard.

What is the scale length?

It uses Fender’s traditional 25.5" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It uses the traditional 21-fret Fender layout.

How many pickups does it have?

One bridge-position pickup.

Why does an Esquire have a 3-way selector with only one pickup?

The switch changes the way the single bridge pickup interacts with the guitar’s tone circuit, providing different tonal responses rather than selecting different pickups.

Does it have passive electronics?

Yes.

Does it require a battery?

No.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 7.12 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

The case has not been confirmed as the original 1960 Fender case, so it is simply described as a hardcase.

What condition is it in?

It is Very Good for its age, but buyers should expect heavy genuine cosmetic wear throughout.

Is it suitable as a working guitar?

That depends on the requirements of the individual owner, but the Esquire was fundamentally designed as a straightforward working electric guitar. With an instrument of this age and significance, appropriate care is naturally recommended.

Is it collectible?

Yes. A genuine Pre-CBS 1960 Fender Esquire retaining its original hardware and electronics has substantial historical and collector interest.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. A video demo is strongly recommended for an important vintage guitar like this, allowing you to hear the actual pickup and see the age-related wear in greater detail.

Can I arrange to inspect the guitar?

For a vintage instrument of this significance, viewing it in person at Fair Deal Music’s Birmingham showroom is an excellent way to assess its feel, sound and condition.

Can I part-exchange another vintage guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers vintage, collectible and modern instruments for part exchange.