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killerkgprime « A High Gain Tele? Yep! »
Published on 08/08/11 at 19:43This Tele's main draw is the high output alnico humbuckers, and as advertised it delivers crunchy tone like few others in Fender's lineup of teles. Mine has an alder body with a maple neck and rosewood board, 22 frets, and is a hardtail. The controls are: One master volume and master tone, and a 3 way switch, just like any other tele, but the knobs are cool, elongated witch hats that give off a cool old school vibe.
UTILIZATION
The tuners were not so great, I find that they slip with extreme bending. The pickups cleaned up well, and you can get a useable clean tone out of 'em, especially if you roll off some high end with the tone knob. I liked the neck on it. It's Fender's take on a modern C shape, which is less obtrusive than a regular Tele neck, and not as rounded as a strat neck. Medium jumbo frets make this easy to play, although I prefer jumbo frets, you really only find those on superstrats.
SOUNDS
Very convincing woman tones can be had if you roll the tone all the way off. The neck pickup doesn't get muddy at all, it still stays sweet and articulate. The bridge can really rip, it does sound a bit thin, but it's got lots of snap and high midrange. One thing I can't stress enough is the articulation of these pickups. I've never got a muddy tone out of it.
OVERALL OPINION
The overall feel of the guitar is a touch unrefined however. It might just add to the appeal if you're bashing out rock songs on it, but there's a lack of solidity and weight to this guitar that leaves me wanting. The tuning stability is a problem
I liked the clarity and bit of the pickups, and the neck feels really good.
UTILIZATION
The tuners were not so great, I find that they slip with extreme bending. The pickups cleaned up well, and you can get a useable clean tone out of 'em, especially if you roll off some high end with the tone knob. I liked the neck on it. It's Fender's take on a modern C shape, which is less obtrusive than a regular Tele neck, and not as rounded as a strat neck. Medium jumbo frets make this easy to play, although I prefer jumbo frets, you really only find those on superstrats.
SOUNDS
Very convincing woman tones can be had if you roll the tone all the way off. The neck pickup doesn't get muddy at all, it still stays sweet and articulate. The bridge can really rip, it does sound a bit thin, but it's got lots of snap and high midrange. One thing I can't stress enough is the articulation of these pickups. I've never got a muddy tone out of it.
OVERALL OPINION
The overall feel of the guitar is a touch unrefined however. It might just add to the appeal if you're bashing out rock songs on it, but there's a lack of solidity and weight to this guitar that leaves me wanting. The tuning stability is a problem
I liked the clarity and bit of the pickups, and the neck feels really good.