Back in September 2007 I reviewed a documentary called Strat Masters which as the title suggested focussed on Leo Fender’s Stratocaster and the players that have used them over the years. Well it doesn’t take a genius to work out what ‘Leo Fender’s Telecaster '“ The Original Twang‘ is about, this 2 DVD documentary talks to some of the greatest guitar players in history about arguably the greatest guitar in history. Everyone from Keith Richards to G E Smith to Jeff Beck to James Burton and even pickup designing legend Seymour Duncan talk in depth about their love for this versatile guitar that has hardly changed since its inception back in the 1940′s. There are a load of live performances from players such as G E Smith, James Burton as well as never seen before footage of the Fender production line in the early 1950′s as well as tours of the current Fender facilities including interviews with Leo’s former business partner the late Don Randall. One guy who I didn’t really know much about was Redd Volkaert who features heavily in the film but he is one amazing guitar player and he plays a number of examples to show the versatility of the Telecaster. Oh and I now want a Blue-burst Telecaster with gold hardware and a birdseye Maple fretboard thanks to Jerry Donahue’s appearance and performance.

The film tracks the 60 year history of The Broadcaster / Esquire / No-Caster and Telecaster from it’s humble beginnings in the orange groves of Fullerton, to the latest production at the fabulous Fender factory and custom shop in Corona, California.

…filmed in the UK, Eastern Europe, New York and California, to interview some of the true legends of music

As well as some of the legends of yesterday there are also some of the Telecaster new blood included in this documentary such as Richie Kotzen and John 5 who not only shows his exhaustive collection of Telecasters but also demos his signature model with a few country and metal crossover licks. There is also an interview with Norman Harris of Norm’s Rare Guitars in Hollywood who shows some of the finest Teles in his collection. There is also a great interview with Fender Custom Shop master builder John Cruz who explains how the Jeff Beck reissue Telecaster which is an accurate reproduction of an incredibly worn Esquire, every detail has been copied including the pickguard wear and pickup and bridge erosion, John explains the whole process.

I can’t see how any guitar player wouldn’t find this film interesting as it is the definitive film on the the most important guitar in history, the catalyst for everything that has come since and it has renewed my G.A.S. for a Tele as if I didn’t need encouragement!

If you want to purchase this double DVD head over to http://www.stratmasters.com/.