These guitars look a lot like the Telecasters today, but they are missing the neck pick-up, didn't have a truss rod, and they had a maple fret board.

Not using the typical practice of using a glued-in, set-neck joint, Leo Fender opted to screw a neck made from just a single piece of maple—there was no rosewood or ebony fretboard like Gibson models—to a body with four screws. This design allowed the neck to be removed completely for any necessary service and also offered durability.

Sounds were delivered courtesy of a single pickup in the bridge position.

Less than 50 of these types of guitars were ever made.

Later versions had two pickups. Always tinkering, Leo Fender was not satisfied and came up with the next incarnation of the instrument.

After this, Leo created the Fender Broadcaster guitar. These also look a lot like Telecasters today. The only thing was they revived a telegram from Gretchen's arteries, stating that they owned the name:'Broadcaster' for their drums and banjos.
So, Leo Fender not wanting to deal with a lawsuit, went ahead and changed the name. To do this he cut of the decal that said:'Broadcaster' calling it the Fender, also referred to as the 'no-caster'.

Shortly after that, the name Telecaster surfaced, and its now what we refer too these extraordinary guitars today.