The original Telecaster’s pickguard was black. Early production Telecasters and Broadcasters used one-ply black pickguards before Fender later switched to white guards in the mid-1950s.

Quick note

If you meant the body finish instead of the guard, the earliest production Telecasters were typically blonde finishes, not black.

In plain terms

  • Pickguard: black on the earliest models.
  • Body color: blonde/transparent blonde on many early Telecasters.