Fender American Special Telecaster® main image

Fender American Special Telecaster®

$810.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (5)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

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Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (74)

$810.00 32 available Used

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Average Price: $810

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender American Special Telecaster® is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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The Fender American Special Telecaster® Sunburst is a true embodiment of classic tone and modern playability, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned professionals and budding musicians. Crafted in the USA, this guitar blends the timeless appeal of a traditional Telecaster with contemporary enhancements that cater to today's musical landscape. With its iconic single-cutaway body shape and two Texas Special™ single-coil pickups, this instrument delivers that signature Tele twang with a powerful punch.

The sunburst finish not only exudes vintage charm but also highlights the natural grain of the alder body, adding a touch of elegance to any stage performance. The neck features a modern C-shape profile with a satin finish, ensuring comfortable playability across all 21 jumbo frets, allowing for effortless bending and dynamic articulation. The vintage-style bridge and tuners maintain tuning stability and sustain, while the Greasebucket™ tone circuit lets you roll off highs without adding bass, giving you precise control over your sound.

Whether you're channeling the raw energy of Keith Richards or the experimental tones of Jonny Greenwood, the American Special Telecaster® is versatile enough to accommodate any style or genre. It’s not just a guitar; it's a canvas for your musical expression.

Key Features:

Two Texas Special™ single-coil pickups
Modern C-shaped neck with satin finish
21 jumbo frets
Greasebucket™ tone circuit
Vintage-style bridge and tuners
Sunburst finish with alder body

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Special Telecaster
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Autumn Blaze Metallic, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Daphne Blue, Fiesta Red, Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White, Shell Pink, Sherwood Green Metallic, Surf Green, Vintage Blonde
Year	2010 - 2018
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Alder
Body Shape	T-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	String-Through
Color Family	Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	9.5"
Model Family	Fender Telecaster
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Nut Width	1.6875"
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Series	Fender American Special

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst?: The Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst features a modern "C" shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable and familiar feel, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst?: This guitar is equipped with Texas Special single-coil pickups, which deliver a bright, snappy tone with plenty of midrange punch, ideal for blues, rock, and country genres.
Is the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable playability and versatile tone options, making it a great choice for players of all levels.
What is the fretboard material on the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst?: The Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst offers a choice between maple and rosewood fretboard materials, each providing a distinct feel and tonal quality to suit player preferences.
Does the Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst have a gloss or satin finish?: The Fender American Special Telecaster Sunburst features a gloss finish, which enhances the visual appeal and durability of the guitar.

Reviews

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PROS

Comfortable 9.5” radius neck with larger frets for easy playability
Texas Special pickups offer thick, recognizable sound
Vintage bridge with brass saddles enhances tonal quality
High-quality electronic components and smooth tuners
Versatile tone suitable for overdrive, chorus, and more
Excellent finish with rolled neck edges for a premium feel
Affordable entry-level American Fender without compromising quality
Good intonation and stays in tune well

CONS

Greasebucket tone circuit can muddy sound
Some models may have neck rattle issues
Lack of "Made in USA" stamp raises concerns on manufacturing origin
Perceived cheaper construction compared to other American Fenders
Occasional need for setup adjustments upon arrival

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Special Telecaster®.

Features and functionality

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The American Special Telecaster comes with Texas Special pickups, praised for delivering a distinct tone that's slightly different from custom shop versions.
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The guitar has a reputation for being gig-ready straight off the shelf, especially valued by those who prefer not to modify their instrument.
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Comparisons

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Despite improvements in Mexican models, American versions are noted for their superior neck feel and overall finish quality.
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The Highway One Telecaster, a precursor to the American Special, is noted for its thin nitro finish that wears subtly over time.
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Mods and upgrades

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A user replaced the neck pickup with a Fralin to address perceived anemic sound, enhancing its tonal richness.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the guitar's aesthetic appeal, especially in the unique Autumn Blaze color, which was a limited edition exclusive to Guitar Center.
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The blonde version is praised as a standout used bargain, often highlighted for its long-lasting appeal.
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Owners often express sentimental value, with one noting it was a significant purchase for their 50th birthday, maintaining its status as a cherished instrument.
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Critic Reviews

Fender American Special Telecaster review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender American Special Telecaster delivers impressive value and tone, bridging the gap between the American Standard and Highway One ranges. With a wonderful neck, great sounds, and a perfect price/quality balance, it’s a strong contender for those seeking a US-made guitar without breaking the bank. Despite the limited color options and the inclusion of a basic gig bag, the guitar's build quality and sound clarity are noteworthy. The Greasebucket tone circuit adds versatility, making it suitable for a range of styles from blues to jazz. Overall, it's hard to find a better Telecaster at this price point.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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exequielagonzales_

265

over 6 years ago

The “Workhorse”

Teles don’t need introduction. Classic guitar with simple but fierce looks. Affordable yet twangy tele tones aren’t compromised. Real American Fender right here without breaking the bank.

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Artist usage

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Noel Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist

Oasis

Verified via Photo

Noel Gallagher playing this tele live March 23rd 2000 in Belgium

Mercedes Arn-Horn

Singer, Guitarist

Softcult

Verified via Photo

Here you can see Mercedes playing her sunburst telecaster live.

Billy Currington

Composer

Verified via Photo

Billy Currington uses a Fender American Special Telecaster® Sunburst, as seen in a photo where he plays it during a performance of his hit song "Don't It."