The Broadcaster (a Telecaster by any other name) was introduced in 1950. Two pickups, the bridge having more "beef" than the neck. It can project muscular power from the bridge, but can also get glassy, or warm and jazzy in the neck position.
The Fender Stratocaster is introduced in 1954. Arguably more "sophisticated" than the Tele, is does have three pickups and a tremolo system.
In the 70s people start putting humbuckers in the bridge position of Strats. We know the usual suspects, of course Eddie Van Halen, but also "Fast" Eddie Clarke of Motorhead, Wayne Kramer of MC5, and many others who had the same idea.
In the 80s many players decided they wanted a guitar that, "Can project muscular power from the bridge, but can also get glassy, or warm and jazzy in the neck position." Sound familiar? Builders oblige them and so is born the HS Strat.
And so in this round about way I've reach the conclusion of my argument, which is, stated specifically, the story of the evolvement of the rock guitar starts and ends with the Tele. Or at least a guitar that is essentially like the design concept of the Tele, lightweight, with a bolt on neck, powerful bridge pickup, and a weaker neck pickup capable of both pristine cleans and smoky blues tones.
Yes, I know I'm ignoring the HSH Strat, which could be seen as an even further evolvement. But I'm putting lots of stock on the ultimately useful simplicity of the two pickup design, along with the pleasure I get from the aesthetic concept of circularity.
Am I crazy, or am I onto something? I know there's no shortage of Tele love here.
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