Evolution of the Fender Esquire

1950

Introduced (some with pine body, black finish and white pickguard)

1951

Ash body with butterscotch blonde finish and black pickguard

1952

Phillips head screws begin to replace slot head screws

1954

Off-white blonde finish; white ABS pickguard; bridge saddles change from brass to steel

1955

Staggered polepieces replace flat polepieces; sunburst finish available

1957

Pronounced ‘v’ neck profile

1958

‘Top loading’ bridge/string anchor replaces ‘through body’ design

1960

‘Through body’ string anchor design reintroduced

1964/65

Pearloid fretboard dots introduced; ‘grey bottom’ pickups replace ‘black bottom’ type

1970

Discontinued