Fender has been renowned for decades as one of the top guitar manufacturers in the industry. Alongside esteemed brands like Gibson, Gretsch, and LTD, they have established themselves as a true leader. When it comes to Fender, you can always expect exceptional quality and unwavering standards. If you're looking to get a Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus, a budget-friendly gem, here are a few things to have in mind.
Telecaster History
In 1952, Fender introduced the Telecaster electric guitar, marking the beginning of a fascinating journey in the world of electric guitars. Blending the timeless allure of its vintage design with modern player requirements, the Modern Telecaster offers a perfect balance. While it caters to beginners, it truly shines in the hands of intermediate and experienced players. As Fender's oldest solid-body electric guitar model, the Tele has left an indelible mark on various genres such as jazz, blues, country, funk, reggae, rock, and pop music. From the iconic sounds of Pink Floyd's Syd Barret to the soulful melodies of John Mayer and the edgy tunes of Kaleo, the Telecaster has inspired countless musicians throughout the years.
Review
Telecaster electric guitars have their origins dating back to the early 1950s. These instruments provide guitar players with a vintage experience, featuring a classic design and a single-coil sound that is perfect for soft and classic genres. However, the Telecaster breaks away from this traditional mould, as its name suggests. While it still pays homage to its heritage, this Telecaster comes with modern upgrades that bring its sound and options up to date.
As a result, it offers a great deal of versatility and power, making it suitable for high-gain music genres. Additionally, the Fender Plaayer Plus Telecaster series includes both a solid-state and a semi-hollow guitar, which we will discuss in more detail later on. It's available at an affordable price, which may leave you wondering about the differences between this guitar and a Squier Telecaster, for example. It's worth noting that the Squier Contemporary Player Telecaster is also a modern reissue of the classic Telecaster.
Features
The Telecaster is a perfect blend of vintage design and contemporary upgrades. It stays true to Fender's iconic style, sound, and essence, ensuring a top-notch performance. And the best part? It comes at a pocket-friendly price. But here's the twist - the Telecaster Plus boasts some unique modern features that set it apart from the average Tele. It deviates from the classic twang and "countryness" that defines the Telecaster sound, opting instead for versatility, comfort, and ease of use. Furthermore, let's not forget to compare it with the Stratocaster. The Modern Player Telecaster shares some features with the renowned Strat family of guitars.
Body and Design
This guitar has a 65cm scale, making it a long-scale guitar. Long-scale guitars are known for their deep and powerful sound. However, it's important to consider its size, as it may not be very suitable for kids and small players. It features a single-cutaway pinewood body with a belly similar to a Stratocaster. Its unique shape adds extra comfort while playing, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate players.
The original Leo Fender guitars were made of pine, although it is now less commonly used. The reasons behind Fender's decision to switch to premium materials like ash or alder are unknown. However, there is nothing wrong with pine as it provides warmth and definition while keeping the guitar lightweight and easy to handle.
Pine also has a unique characteristic. Its tone is similar to premium alder, being bright and airy, almost transparent. This allows the pickups to transmit the sound from the guitar's body without interruption or alteration. That's why pine adds warmth, and clarity, and enhances the definition of mid and low-end tones while keeping the high-end bright and crisp.
Versatile Pickup Options
If you're searching for a wide range of tones, look no further than the Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus. With its HSS pickup configuration and two single-coil pickups, this guitar offers incredible versatility. You can enjoy the smooth Tele lead tones you adore, as well as the classic midrange bite of a Strat. Additionally, the Plus boasts a humbucking bridge pickup with a mini toggle coil split switch, expanding your tonal possibilities even further.
Impressive Wood Combination
The Plus stays true to its classic roots with Fender's original Tele wood combination. The combination of a pine body and a maple neck and fingerboard delivers a sweet and snappy sound that is quintessentially Tele. Not only does this combination make the guitar comfortable to play, but it also ensures that you achieve that iconic Tele tone.
Sturdy Strat-style Bridge
To top it all off, Fender equipped the Modern Player Telecaster Plus with a modern Stratocaster bridge. This 6-saddle hardtail configuration allows for precise tuning, ensuring your guitar is always in perfect harmony. Adding to its appeal, it features a string-through-body tailpiece, providing enhanced sustain and tight sonics.
