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Description
The Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar is a harmonious blend of American craftsmanship and musical legacy, offering a versatile tool for guitarists seeking both style and substance. Perfect for musicians who crave a balance between classic tones and modern playability, this Telecaster captures the essence of vintage Fender magic with a contemporary twist.
Crafted with precision, this solid body electric guitar features two single-coil pickups that deliver a punchy, articulate sound with exceptional clarity. The classic '70s-style headstock logo adds a touch of nostalgia, while the 21-fret neck ensures smooth playability across its sleek maple fingerboard. With its signature dot inlays and two control knobs, the American Special Telecaster is designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of musical genres, from rock to blues to country.
This guitar doesn’t just look the part; it plays it too. Whether you’re channeling the riffs of Keith Richards or the experimental sounds of Jonny Greenwood, the American Special Telecaster promises to elevate your musical experience. Its robust build and authentic tone make it not just an instrument, but a reliable companion on your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Two single-coil pickups for classic Telecaster tones
- '70s-style headstock logo for vintage charm
- 21-fret maple neck with dot inlays
- Durable solid body construction
- Two control knobs for tone and volume adjustments
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
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What is the neck profile of the Fender American Special Telecaster?
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The Fender American Special Telecaster features a modern C-shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable and familiar feel for most players, making it suitable for a variety of playing styles.
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What type of pickups are installed on the Fender American Special Telecaster?
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The guitar is equipped with two Texas Special single-coil pickups, known for their high output and rich, bluesy tone, making them ideal for rock and blues genres.
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How does the Greasebucket tone circuit affect the sound of the Fender American Special Telecaster?
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The Greasebucket tone circuit allows you to roll off the treble without adding bass, providing a more controlled and clear tone when adjusting the guitar's sound.
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Is the Fender American Special Telecaster suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Fender American Special Telecaster is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile tone, making it a great choice for a wide range of musical styles.
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What kind of finish does the Fender American Special Telecaster have?
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The guitar features a gloss urethane finish, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also provides durability and protection for the instrument.
Videos
N Stuff Music
Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar
Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar
N Stuff Music
Fender American Special Telecaster 3TSB
ProGuitarShopDemos
Fender American Special Telecaster Tone Review and Demo
MusicStoreLive.com
Fender American Special Telecaster - Review & Demo
PMTVUK
Fender American Special Telecaster Review & Demo
Alamo Music Center
Fender American Special Telecaster, Vintage Blonde | Demonstration
Gear4music Guitars
Fender American Special Telecaster Review! Best sub $1000 guitar?
phd worm
Reviews
PROS
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Vintage bridge with brass saddles enhances resonance and classic Telecaster sound
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Texas Special pickups offer thick, warm tones, perfect for diverse music styles
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Satin neck finish allows smooth hand movement and easy playability
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Versatile tones suitable for genres from jazz to punk rock
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Greasebucket tone circuit provides excellent sound control
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Made in the USA, ensuring quality craftsmanship
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Unique finishes like Autumn Blaze Metallic add visual appeal
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Affordable option for a real American Fender without compromising quality
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Highly reliable for both stage and studio performances
CONS
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Three-saddle bridge may not offer perfect intonation
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"Ashtray" bridge can feel uncomfortable for some players
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar.
Features and functionality
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The American Special Telecaster includes Fender Custom Shop Texas Special pickups, providing a distinct tonal advantage over the Performer series due to their unique sound characteristics.
Source -
The Autumn Blaze color is a limited edition, exclusive to Guitar Center and now out of production, making it a rare find.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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To enhance performance, users recommend adding a treble bleed and upgrading the nut and tuners, particularly when budget constraints allow for incremental improvements.
Source -
Replacing the neck pickup with a Fralin is recommended for those finding the stock neck pickup anemic.
Source -
One owner found significant tonal improvement by swapping out the stock pickups for Mcnelly A2 Signature pickups, suggesting this as a viable upgrade path.
Source
Comparisons
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The Vintera and certain signature models might be preferred over the American Special straight out of the box unless further upgrades are intended.
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The Texas Special pickups are praised for providing a distinctly "big" and "unique" Tele sound, differentiating it from other models like the Strat or Les Paul.
Source -
Some users lament the transition from the American Special series to the Performer series, noting the price increase without perceiving a corresponding improvement in value.
Source
Value and pricing
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One owner reported purchasing the American Special Telecaster new as an open box for $950 in 2018, suggesting potential price points for used models.
Source
User experience
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The neck of the American Special Telecaster is particularly appreciated, especially when combined with a maple fingerboard, enhancing playability and comfort.
Source -
Owners who have held onto their American Special Telecasters for years report a strong attachment, suggesting it's a long-term favorite.
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Owners appreciate the black-on-white color scheme, finding it visually striking and contributing to the guitar's aesthetic appeal.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 10 Reviews and 72 Ratings
125
Classic Tele tones, easy in any genre, and gorgeous to play.
I have owned this guitar for under 1 year. This has been my guitar of choice for Jazz. The neck pickup gets to clearest, and warmest tones I have heard out of a tele. The Texas Special Pickups make this tele sound a little bit warmer then something like an American Standard. The neck is the highlight of this axe. This neck is satin, which gives you hand the ability to slide without sticking to the back. The neck is easy to move on, and is easily the main reason why I own this guitar today. This Tele can give you the sounds for any style of music. I have played Pop/Punk through my Marshall with this, and Jazz through my Fender Bassman head. This guitar is versatile, and will always be one of my top favorites. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a little bit of a warmer tele.
126
Twang and rock in a bulletproof design
Needing a reliable solidbody guitar for sketchy gigs or practices that didn't call for the 335 to leave the house, I snagged a 2017 American Special Tele in Lake Placid Blue. No frills, just awesome single coil sound. Neck pickup sounds sweet and smooth, but doesn't get much use because the Texas Special bridge pickup is an absolute beast.
1407
Sounds great but plays meh
A telecaster is an archaic instrument in guitar terms. They sound fantastic, but at the end of the day, a three-saddle bridge will never be fully intonated and that "ashtray" will kinda feel uncomfortable on your hand. If you can deal with that, and many can, go for it. It just wasn't for me.
The “Workhorse”
My Tele has a Sunburst finish. 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.
201
Lovely guitar
My American Special, along with my Mexican Standard, is my go-to guitar. I got this in February 2016 and I wouldn't part with it for love nor money (ok, that's probably a lie). Sounds great on stage and in the studio and the greasebucket tone circuit sounds wonderful.
76
Great American sound that won't break the bank.
This guitar comes with the "Texas Special" pickups in the neck and bridge. They give you the twang for any style you want. I play fast punk rock, but I also enjoy playing grunge and ska. A very versatialle guitar.
41029
well, made in the USA at least... unless you have a loose definition of 'hand made'.... but I trust CNC machines over all but the most experienced craftspeople
2413
My fault; of course i know that the body and the neck are made by cnc machines, but there is always a luthier behind the machines. And some "high-range" pickups are made by electricians at the corona factory. So we can call it "partially hand made".
68
Classic Tele' tones with Texas special pickups
For the classic Tele' tones and love the sound of the Texas special pickups !
Artist usage
Add artist
Matthew Bellamy used the Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar for the slide guitar part on "The Globalist." This marks his first use of a Telecaster since "New Born" in 2001. Although he hasn't been seen using a Telecaster live since 1999, when he played a Squier Telecaster, this Instagram post from MUSE confirms its studio use.
Gary Clark Jr. uses a Fender Telecaster in this video. We think it's an American Special Fender Telecaster in vintage blonde with a white pickguard.
Gerard posted this on instagram. The second photo is of his new Fender American Special Telecaster.
Fender American Telecaster used on PVRIS' 2015 UK Tour.
In nearly every photo and video of Glaspy, you can see her American Special Telecaster in Vintage Blonde with a rosewood fretboard. A couple ways of noticing this, like in this video, is the vintage blonde and rosewood fingerboard combination, vintage style 3 saddle Telecaster bridge, and the non contoured body.
In the video "Jorge Drexler - Bailar en la cueva - Encuentro en el Estudio - Temporada 7" by UPA!, Jorge Drexler is seen playing a Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar at the 0:08 mark.
In this instagram post, Arun explains work he had done to his Fender American Special Telecaster. The guitar was repainted, with a matching headstock. A mastery bridge and Lindy Fralin Blues Special pickup were also added to the guitar.
In the video "Los Piojos - Genius (El mendigo del dock sud)" uploaded by gastonpiojoso87 on YouTube, Andrés Ciro Martínez is seen playing a Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar for certain tracks, although it is barely audible in the mix.
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In this Instagram post, The Noisy Freaks can be seen with the Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar Olympic White. Posted on April 8, 2015.
Seen throughout this performance. 1:41
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Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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