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Published on 12/25/11 at 22:15Model Name: Vintage Modified Tele® Custom II
Series: Vintage Modified
Color / MSRP* / Part # :
Black
032-7602-506
Vintage Blonde
032-7602-507
Body
Body: Agathis
Body Shape: Telecaster®
Neck
Neck Shape: "C" Shape
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays: Dot Position Inlays
Fretboard Radius: 7.25" (18.41 cm)
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane Finish
Nut Width: 1.650” (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm)
Electronics
Pickup Configuration: S/S
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Designed™ P90-2 Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup: Duncan Designed™ P90-2 Neck Pickup
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Hardware
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: Vintage Style Strat® Strings-Through-Body Hardtail Bridge
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Switch Tip: Black Switch Tip
Miscellaneous
Strings: Fender® USA Super 250L's, NPS (.009-.042 Gauges)
Unique Features: Dot Inlays
Accessories
Control Knobs: Skirted Amp Knobs
UTILIZATION
The Vintage Modified Tele Custom II is not good. My gripes with the guitar come from the woods, mainly - agathis is notoriously poor for a choice in guitar tonewoods. The acoustic sound of the guitar unplugged is very flat and uninspiring. The neck comes from a poorer quality maple than one would normally see in a Fender guitar, and the fretwork is sub-par. There is no finish on the back of the neck, either, adding to the "cheapness" of the feel. Also, the guitar does not stay in tune.
SOUNDS
This is the one good part of the guitar - the pickups actually sound pretty good. They are a P90-type, and they can growl with the best of them, excelling for smoky blues and classic rock riffs. They're a bit noisy, but plugged in, the pickups sound great.
OVERALL OPINION
The pickups bring the score up, but the guitar still needs work. If I wanted to keep this guitar, I'd want replace the neck with something like a pre-finished Warmoth or Allparts, get better tuners, and then swap the bridge and electronics. But this would be a silly plan - these guitars can be had for $279 street, and for just a bit more ($349), one can acquire a much better Squier Classic Vibe guitar. Skip this guitar.
Series: Vintage Modified
Color / MSRP* / Part # :
Black
032-7602-506
Vintage Blonde
032-7602-507
Body
Body: Agathis
Body Shape: Telecaster®
Neck
Neck Shape: "C" Shape
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays: Dot Position Inlays
Fretboard Radius: 7.25" (18.41 cm)
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane Finish
Nut Width: 1.650” (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm)
Electronics
Pickup Configuration: S/S
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Designed™ P90-2 Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup: Duncan Designed™ P90-2 Neck Pickup
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Hardware
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: Vintage Style Strat® Strings-Through-Body Hardtail Bridge
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Switch Tip: Black Switch Tip
Miscellaneous
Strings: Fender® USA Super 250L's, NPS (.009-.042 Gauges)
Unique Features: Dot Inlays
Accessories
Control Knobs: Skirted Amp Knobs
UTILIZATION
The Vintage Modified Tele Custom II is not good. My gripes with the guitar come from the woods, mainly - agathis is notoriously poor for a choice in guitar tonewoods. The acoustic sound of the guitar unplugged is very flat and uninspiring. The neck comes from a poorer quality maple than one would normally see in a Fender guitar, and the fretwork is sub-par. There is no finish on the back of the neck, either, adding to the "cheapness" of the feel. Also, the guitar does not stay in tune.
SOUNDS
This is the one good part of the guitar - the pickups actually sound pretty good. They are a P90-type, and they can growl with the best of them, excelling for smoky blues and classic rock riffs. They're a bit noisy, but plugged in, the pickups sound great.
OVERALL OPINION
The pickups bring the score up, but the guitar still needs work. If I wanted to keep this guitar, I'd want replace the neck with something like a pre-finished Warmoth or Allparts, get better tuners, and then swap the bridge and electronics. But this would be a silly plan - these guitars can be had for $279 street, and for just a bit more ($349), one can acquire a much better Squier Classic Vibe guitar. Skip this guitar.