Haynes Fender Telecaster Manual
How to buy, maintain and set up the world’s first production solid body electric guitar
Paul Balmer
RRP: £19.99, ISBN: 978 1 84425 674 7
Format: Hardback, Publication Date: Out now!
The Telecaster marks the true beginning for the ‘solid body’ electric guitar. This iconic workhorse has survived the rigours of the road for almost 60 years and is still considered by many guitarists to be ‘all you really need’. The Haynes Fender Telecaster Manual is newest addition to a series of best-selling manuals following the Fender Stratocaster and ‘Gibson Les Paul Manuals’ and offers advice on how to get the best from your Telecaster, be it a budget Squier or an original USA-made ’57–’59 Esquire.
With step-by-step guidance and clear colour photographs, subjects include upgrading pickups, adjusting a truss rod and understanding some great stage rigs from icons such as Jerry Donahue, Roy Buchanan, Albert Lee and Steve Cropper. There are also ‘Tech Tip’ contributions from respected luthier John Diggins and B-Bender inventor Gene Parsons. Fourteen case studies examine in detail everything from a Custom Shop Parsons White B-Bender to a James Burton ‘Signature’.
There are ‘Under the hood’ insights into the great Esquire, Broadcaster, Nocaster and Telecaster marques, with nods to the classic ‘Blackguards’, as well as a vintage ’57 Whiteguard Esquire, a Humbucker supercharged ‘Hot Rod’ and a rare ‘lefty’ Deluxe. Squiers in ’50s Vibe, ‘Affinity’ and Avril Lavigne models, offer variants on a classic design, with hints on upgrades to a professional working instrument.
Superbly illustrated this manual covers everything a ‘Tele’ enthusiast needs to know, from the first prototype in 1948 to a 2008 ‘closet classic’.
Author Paul Balmer has played and taught guitar for 40 years. His background includes broadcasting (TV & Radio), video / DVD productions including a BAFTA nomination and authorship of the previous Haynes Guitar Manuals. He has also written the official biographies of Stephane Grappelli the world’s greatest jazz violinist and guitarist and lutenist Julian Bream. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Paul Balmer is available for interview
For further information, or to request a review copy, please contact Emma at Eventageous PR on
T: 01452 260063 or email
Press release content is available for download from
22nd November is ‘Telecaster Day’ at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.
Paul will be playing at several events: An afternoon workshop & signing at The Williamson Art gallery, Wirral with special guest Jerry Donahue. And an evening Celebration Concert at ‘Pacific Road Theatre’.3rd November – A Rock and Roll gig with ‘Ricki and the Red Streaks’ (established 1957) The Red Streaks were John Lennon’s favourite band in 1958 and get a mention on the Beatles Anthology albums.
Reviews for Haynes Fender Stratocaster Manuals
WOW! Those brilliant people at Haynes, famous for their superb car manuals, have done the same for the Fender Stratocaster!..it’s essential reading for Strat owners...it’s FAN-STRATING-TASTIC Guitar Buyer
“THE DEFINITIVE BOOK ON THE LES PAUL” ‘Performing Musician’
“Should come as standard with every new Strat” STEWMAC.com