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Average Price: $1,170
Standard/Professional
$400
$1501+
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Description
Step into a world of sonic depth with the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster, a guitar that redefines extended range. This baritone Telecaster offers a rich and resonant sound, perfect for musicians looking to bridge the gap between traditional guitars and basses. Its 27" scale length and B-to-B tuning deliver the deep, lush tones that baritone enthusiasts crave.
Equipped with a versatile trio of pickups—two single-coils and a robust humbucker—this guitar offers a spectrum of sounds from twangy highs to full-bodied lows. The five-way switching system ensures that you can seamlessly transition between tones, making it ideal for both studio sessions and live performances. Crafted with a fast-action maple neck and a smooth rosewood fingerboard, the Blacktop Baritone Telecaster promises comfort and playability for any musician.
The classic strings-through-body hardtail bridge with six cast saddles provides excellent sustain and tuning stability, while the stylish skirted amp knobs add a touch of vintage flair. Whether you're exploring new musical territories or enhancing your current setup, the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster is your gateway to a new realm of sound.
Key Features:
- 27" scale length with B-to-B baritone tuning
- Alder body with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard
- 22 medium jumbo frets with aged white dots
- HSS pickup configuration: one humbucker and two single-coils
- Five-way pickup selector for versatile tonal options
- Strings-through-body hardtail bridge with six cast saddles
- Skirted amp knobs for master volume and tone control
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Blacktop Baritone Telecaster |
| Finish | 3-Color Sunburst, Classic Copper, Ghost Silver |
| Year | 2012 - 2014 |
| Made In | Mexico |
| Categories | Baritone Guitars, Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Shape | T-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Brown, Gold, Silver |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Fender Telecaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Fender Blacktop |
FAQs
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What makes the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster different from a standard Telecaster?
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The Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster features a longer 27" scale length, allowing it to be tuned lower than a standard Telecaster. It also has a unique HSS pickup configuration, offering a wider range of tonal possibilities suitable for heavier music genres.
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Is the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster suitable for heavy music genres?
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Yes, the Blacktop Baritone Telecaster's humbucking bridge pickup and baritone scale length provide deep, powerful tones ideal for heavy music styles like metal and rock.
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What type of wood is used in the construction of the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster?
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The body of the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster is made from alder, which is known for its balanced tone and resonance.
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Does the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster have a comfortable neck profile for extended playing sessions?
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The Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster features a C-shaped maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, providing a comfortable playing experience suitable for long sessions.
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How versatile is the pickup configuration on the Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster?
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The HSS pickup configuration, with single-coil neck and middle pickups and a humbucking bridge pickup, offers a versatile range of tones from bright cleans to heavy overdrives.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Fender Blacktop Telecaster Baritone
Reviews
PROS
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Short scale makes it feel like a standard guitar
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Beautiful, solid finish with various color options
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Reverse controls for easy volume swells
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Versatile 5-way switch offers numerous tonal options
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Long scale length ideal for lower tunings
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String-through body design enhances sustain
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Well-made Mexican craftsmanship feels high-quality
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Rare and commands a high resale value
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Excellent fit and professional setup for smooth playability
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Great value for price compared to other baritones
CONS
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Stock pickups lack character, often replaced for better sound
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Original bridge had intonation issues, requiring replacement
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Rough fretboard edges may need filing for comfort
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Some models had rusted screws and hardware
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First and last strings close to fretboard edges, affecting playability
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster.
Mods and upgrades
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Users mention the potential to replace single coils with a neck humbucker by changing the pickguard, providing more tonal variety.
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Enthusiasts suggest wiring the toggle switch for a middle pickup on/off function, allowing for versatile configurations like neck + bridge or all three pickups on.
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A push/pull volume pot can be used to control the middle pickup, enhancing tonal flexibility without major modifications.
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It's possible to add a P90 pickup for added tonal variety, as suggested by an owner considering further customization.
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Features and functionality
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A silver finish model is specifically highlighted, suggesting the availability of multiple color options like sunburst, which are available on resale markets.
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The guitar features a toggle switch setup enabling individual pickup control; the lower knob also allows for polarity switching, enhancing sound versatility.
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The control panel includes a snugly notched pickguard to accommodate multiple switches without protrusion, ensuring a flat surface.
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Use cases and applications
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The guitar's rarity is noted, with enthusiasts expressing interest in its unique appearance and extended range, especially for those seeking HSS baritone setups.
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User experience
Comparisons
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 16 Ratings
133
For those times when a capo just isnt enough
The first thing I did was replace the pickups outright with some really hot pickups from GuitarFetish.Com . I found that the ones that came with the guitar were lacking. She roars now. I use it on songs that are normally too high in standard tuning (AC/DC, Led Zep, KISS, etc) while remaining true to the chord shapes on the original songs.
215
Great bariton
Never thought i would get a Fender, but this guitar really rocks ! And the the pickups even does metal and stoner/sludge really well ;-)
91
Great value for money baritone after a few upgrades
Upgraded with renewed wiring, 3-way toggle, Schaller Locking tuners and Seymour Duncan SH5 in the bridge position.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a 2012 issue of Fender Magazine, Justin Norvell, vice president Of Marketing for Fender was interviewed to say, "On Foo Fighters’ 'Wasting Light', Pat Smear played baritone on nearly every track. You get an octave space between bass and guitar sometimes, and the way to fix that is with a baritone,” says Norvell. “Baritone guitars are a great studio/recording instrument, even if they’re not the focal point of the band."
In the YouTube video titled "Linkin Park: From Zero World Tour - Los Angeles, CA September 11th, 2024" by linkinboss, at approximately 57:20, you can clearly see Mike Shinoda using a Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster. He has this guitar tuned to Drop A for the performance of "Lost In The Echo."
In this video, Asato is playing his Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster, and he has written in the description "Messing around over My Tribute. This song reminds me of my childhood. Great times".
At 11:53 we can see Joe's Baritone Blacktop Telecaster in Silver amongst his other guitars.
Toru Yamashita or I called him Tugru is seen using a Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster just sampling or play as in a post on his Instagram account (@toru_10969) with the caption: "ドンシャリでゴリッゴリ週間🤘🤘 📸 @ka2official612 #recording #業界用語 #oneokrock".
At 3:26 during Avril Lavigne's music video "My Happy Ending" she is using a Fender Blacktop Telecaster during the rooftop scene.
Drew can be seen playing this guitar in this video of Karnivool's session for Ghost City Recordings.
From the music video of deadbeat valentine. Seen throughout the video (0.29 to start)
you can see in the comments below that image on Instagram that he confirms it was a blacktop baritone telecaster... and you can see him using it in here https://www.instagram.com/p/BEwNKeOLiVS/?taken-by=ct3guitar
Album Usage
The Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster has been featured on the following albums:
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 Blacktop Baritone Telecaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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