The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61382   Message #986920
Posted By: CraigS
20-Jul-03 - 06:27 AM
Thread Name: why is a guitar called a thinline?
Subject: RE: why is a guitar called a thinline?
Thinline Fender Telecasters are so-called because they are thinner than standard Telecasters, ie. the body is "comfort contoured" (Fenderese for material cut out of the back) like the Stratocaster.

Gibson make/made thin versions of some guitars, notably their hollow-bodied jazz guitars, which are designated by a "T" after the model number. I've only ever seen one accoustic (an L5T), but there are plenty of examples of semi-accoustic electrics, and some of these were/are standard models, eg. the ES175T. Dealers often use the word thinline to describe such guitars, but I've never seen Gibson do it.