What are T-type guitars and what makes them so special? Find out out everything you need to know about these iconic single cutaway numbers and discover the top t-style guitar brands you can buy right now.
Best T-Type Guitars Guide
Introduction
No list of the most iconic and enduring electric guitar styles is complete without the T-type guitar. Since the early 1950s, these single-cut, bolt-on workhorses have had such a profound impact that they've almost defined the sound of entire genres, ranging from country and blues to rock, indie, and even proving their worth in metal. Of course, the Fender Telecaster is the original and most recognisable example of a T-style axe, but today, countless brands also offer their own takes on the classic formula, each adding their own twist on tone, playability, and style.
Whether you’re just finding your feet in the world of guitars or looking for a boutique upgrade to take your sound to the next level, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about T-style guitars, including a brief look at their history, a deep dive into the top brands, and exactly what it is that makes them special.
What Is A T-Style Guitar?
Before we get into the nitty gritty, let's address the most obvious question: What is a T-type guitar? Also called a "T-style” or "Tele-style" guitar, a T-Type is a solid-body electric guitar that takes inspiration from the iconic Fender Telecaster design. They typically feature two single-coil pickups, a slab body, and a bolt-on neck. But despite this fairly straightforward blueprint, they come in a surprising variety of flavours. And despite their simplicity, Teles have versatility in spades and an instantly recognisable tone.
Ask a T-style guitar enthusiast what they like about them, and they'll likely praise their tight low end, clear mids, and cutting treble response. They’re particularly good at delivering real twang and bite, which is why they've been a strong favourite for the country and blues crowd for years, but they’re far more versatile than they’re often given credit for. Over the years, tonnes of musicians have discovered just how well they can perform in rock, punk, funk, jazz, and even heavier styles when equipped with humbuckers or P90s.
Key Features Of T-Style Guitars
Single-cutaway body (usually alder, ash, or poplar)
-
Bolt-on maple or maple/rosewood neck
-
Two pickups in bridge and neck positions (often single coils)
-
Ashtray-style bridge with either 3 or 6 saddles
-
3-way selector switch with volume and tone knobs
-
Straightforward, durable, and easy to modify
A Brief History Of The T-Type Guitar
The story of the T-type guitar begins with Leo Fender, who quite literally revolutionised the electric guitar world in 1950 with the release of the Broadcaster - later renamed the Telecaster. Unlike the hollow-body archtop guitars that dominated the era, the Telecaster went an entirely different way, featuring a solid slab body, bolt-on neck, and easily replaceable parts. It was inexpensive to produce and incredibly rugged.
But aside from the new build style, players of the day also quickly noticed something else - it had a tone all its own. The bridge pickup, mounted on a steel plate, gave the Tele a bright, snappy, almost vocal-like quality, whereas the neck pickup added warmth and smoothness. Throw in a three-way switch, and those two pickups offered a surprising variety of tones!
It wouldn't take long for the Telecaster to be adopted by a literal who’s who of guitar royalty: Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan, and many more. Over time, countless brands have used the Telecaster as a jumping-off point for their own designs. They might give the body shape a little tweak, alter pickup configurations, or unleash a bold new finish, but these Tele clones still retain the spirit of the original.
Best T-Type Guitars
Now that we know what a T-type guitar is and what makes them tick, let's take a look at some of the top brands producing T-style guitars today. Despite all singing from the same Telecaster hymn sheet, each maker has their own philosophy, feature set, and price range - so there's something here for everyone, from budget-conscious beginners to pro-level tone connoisseurs.
Fender Telecaster
Fender wrote the book on T-style guitars, and they’ve been reprinting that book with new chapters ever since. It almost goes without saying, but the Telecaster is still the benchmark by which all other T-types are judged to this day. And from budget-friendly models to Custom Shop masterpieces, there’s a Tele out there for every type of player.
The Player Series offers incredible value, with modern neck profiles, ceramic pickups, and upgraded hardware. The Vintera range perfectly captures the vintage vibes of '50s, '60s, and '70s models with period-correct specs, while the American Professional II series brings a host of modern enhancements like rolled fingerboard edges, updated pickups, and improved hardware. But if you're chasing the ultimate in tone and craftsmanship, you don't need to look any further than Fender's ultra-special Custom Shop offerings.
-
Classic tones with iconic looks
-
Huge range of configurations and finishes
-
Great resale value and parts compatibility
Squier Telecaster
Fender’s budget-friendly little sibling, Squier guitars are a great place to start if you’re brand new to the T-style world. But despite their lower price, many Squier Telecaster models offer impressive playability and tone.
The Classic Vibe series is a particularly favourite, offering vintage-style instruments with modern reliability. These guitars rock period-correct specs, retro finishes, and surprisingly good pickups for the price. The Affinity Series guitars are more stripped back to the basics, making them a superb starting point for beginners. On the other end of the scale, there's the Contemporary series, which introduces more modern features like humbuckers and flatter fingerboard radii.
-
Budget-friendly with surprising quality
-
Great for modding
-
Wide range of finishes and pickup configurations
G&L ASAT Guitars
After leaving Fender, Leo Fender founded a brand-new company, G&L, allowing him to continue in the spirit of innovation. The G&L ASAT is their T-style offering, and it packs several nifty upgrades to the traditional design.
Most notably, G&L’s MFD (Magnetic Field Design) pickups provide higher output and more clarity than traditional single coils. The ASAT Classic sticks close to the original blueprint, whereas models like the Bluesboy add a neck-position humbucker for added warmth. The Tribute series is G&L's mid-range model, making their sweet tones accessible to a wider audience, while their USA-made Fullerton Deluxe is the flagship piece that nicely caps off the range.
-
Designed by Leo Fender himself
-
MFD pickups offer broader frequency range
-
Bluesboy adds humbucker versatility
-
Tribute series = value; Fullerton = premium
Sire T7
Sire first made a name for itself with a range of excellent bass guitars and has since partnered with Larry Carlton to create their very own series of affordable but high-quality electric guitars. The T Series models bring vintage tone and modern playability together, and at a very appealing price too.
The standard T7 is a pure classic through and through: SS configuration, vintage-style bridge, and overwound single coils with the crisp, articulate voice you'd expect. The T7 FM pushes things a little further, adding a flamed maple veneer, dual humbuckers, and a two-point tremolo into the mix. Both include roasted maple necks, handy locking tuners, and rolled fretboard edges for extra comfort.
-
Great value around the £500 mark
-
Excellent tone and spec for the price
-
Designed in collaboration with Larry Carlton
EastCoast T Series
If you're a beginner in need of a solid, reliable instrument at a low price, you could do a lot worse than pick up a number from EastCoast Guitars. The brand's T Series features that classic single-cut shape, dual single coils, and a traditional ashtray bridge.
It might be simple in appearance, but these guitars are super comfortable to play and have a clean, chiming tone that's just perfect for pop, indie, and early rock.
-
Entry-level price with great fundamentals
-
Clean and versatile tone profile
-
Lightweight and beginner-friendly
Hansen T-Style
With a focus on quality tonewoods, traditional design, and boutique sensibilities, each Hansen T-Style guitar is lovingly handcrafted in Denmark. These guitars use African mahogany for their bodies, which delivers a pleasingly rich midrange character and tonnes of warm sustain.
With hand-wired Alnico V pickups, stainless steel bridges, and vintage Kluson-style tuners, Hansen guitars are a fantastic pick for players who crave a unique instrument with an air of timelessness.
-
Handmade boutique build
-
Mahogany body for warmth and resonance
-
Great for vintage purists
Hansen T-Style on Andertons T.V.
T-Type Guitars: FAQs
What’s the difference between a T-style and an S-style guitar?
T-style guitars are generally more stripped back, with two pickups, fixed bridges, and simpler electronics. S-style (Strat-style) guitars typically have three pickups, tremolo bridges, and a more scooped midrange tone.
Can I use a T-style guitar for metal?
It's true that the classic models lean more toward a bright, twangy sound, but plenty of modern T-types feature humbuckers, high-output pickups, or active electronics that make them a perfectly suitable choice for heavy tones.
What makes T-style guitars so twangy?
The bridge pickup is mounted on a metal plate, enhancing treble response. The pickup itself is usually overwound, and the fixed bridge adds bite and clarity.
Are all T-styles bright and thin-sounding?
Nope! To a greater or lesser extent, body wood, pickups, and amps can all influence your tone. For example, a T-style with a mahogany body or humbuckers will sound much fuller and warmer.
Do I need a Tele if I already have a Strat?
In truth, they’re completely different beasts! A Strat is smoother and more scooped, while a Tele offers a direct, punchy attack that cuts through a mix like a hot knife through butter.
Shop T-Style Guitars at Andertons
Ready to find your perfect T-style guitar? Check out our full selection online or visit us in-store to try them out. No matter whether you crave vintage tones, modern performance, or something in between, we’ve got a T-style to match your style and budget!
Want to learn More?
Want to learn more about T-Style guitars? Check out some of our blogs!