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Fender Telecaster American Elite

$1,200.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

1 Critic Review

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Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (91)

$1,200.00 14 available Used

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Average Price: $1,200

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender Telecaster American Elite is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Fender Telecaster American Elite is a modern twist on a timeless classic, designed for today's discerning guitarist. This solid body electric guitar takes the iconic Telecaster design and elevates it with a suite of forward-thinking features that ensure both versatility and precision. Equipped with fourth-generation noiseless single-coil pickups, it delivers crystal-clear tones without the unwanted hum, allowing you to explore a vast sonic landscape from bright, cutting highs to warm, rounded lows.

The S-1 switching system offers a seamless transition between sounds, giving you the flexibility to shift from smooth rhythm tones to searing leads with the flick of a switch. The compound profile neck, which morphs from a modern "C" to a "D" shape, provides ultimate comfort and playability, adapting to your hand’s natural movements as you traverse the fretboard.

Additionally, lockable short-post tuning machines ensure rock-solid tuning stability, letting you focus on your performance without the distraction of constant retuning. With these enhancements, the Fender Telecaster American Elite not only respects its legacy but also sets the stage for future musical explorations.

Key Features:

Fourth-generation noiseless single-coil pickups
S-1 switching system for versatile sound options
Compound profile neck (Modern "C" to "D" shape)
Lockable short-post tuning machines for improved stability
Solid body design for enhanced resonance and sustain

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Elite Telecaster
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Aged Cherry Burst, Autumn Blaze Metallic, Butterscotch Blonde, Champagne, Mystic Black, Ocean Turquoise, Satin Ice Blue Metallic, Satin Jade Pearl Metallic, Tobacco Sunburst
Year	2016 - 2019
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Alder, Ash
Body Shape	T-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	String-Through
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Ebony, Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	14", 9.5"
Frets	Medium Jumbo
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 Elite

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Telecaster American Elite Butterscotch?: The Fender Telecaster American Elite features a modern C to D neck profile, providing a comfortable and versatile playing experience suitable for various playing styles.
Are the pickups on the Fender Telecaster American Elite Butterscotch suitable for noiseless performance?: Yes, the guitar is equipped with 4th Generation Noiseless pickups, offering a clear and hum-free tone ideal for both studio and live performances.
How does the S-1 switching system enhance the Fender Telecaster American Elite?: The S-1 switching system allows for additional tonal versatility by providing series/parallel options, expanding the guitar's sound palette beyond standard Telecaster tones.
Is the Fender Telecaster American Elite Butterscotch suitable for advanced players?: Yes, with its high-quality build, versatile sound options, and modern features like the S-1 switching and locking tuners, it is well-suited for advanced players seeking professional-grade performance.
What type of wood is used for the body of the Fender Telecaster American Elite Butterscotch?: The Butterscotch Blonde finish of the Fender Telecaster American Elite features an ash body, known for its bright and resonant tonal qualities.

Videos

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N Stuff Music

Fender American Elite Telecaster - Butterscotch Blonde | N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Fender American Elite Telecaster vs American Standard Telecaster Comparison

Alamo Music Center

Fender American Elite Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde, Maple Fretboard

PMTVUK

Reviews

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PROS

Beautiful design that makes you want to pick it up and play
Compound neck is comfortable and a dream to play
Offers a wide range of versatile tones from metal to jazz
Light and conforms to body shape with a contoured design
Noiseless pickups maintain classic Tele sound with less noise
Locking tuners provide stability and ease of use
Curved heel allows easier access to higher frets
Great sustain and tonal variety with the upgraded pickups
Upscale feel with features like the rosewood fretboard and locking tuners

CONS

Neck pickup issues reported by some users
Sharp fret ends can affect comfort
Lower neck feels chunky and awkward to some
Static noise when touching pickguard due to lack of shielding
Difficult bass string access above the 15th fret

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

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The 2016 American Elite Telecaster Butterscotch is noted for its one-piece ash body with a striking grain pattern, adding to its visual appeal and uniqueness.
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The Elite's truss rod adjustment is located at the heel, resulting in a cleaner maple headstock appearance compared to the Deluxe's headstock adjustment.
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Comparisons

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The Elite features superior specs compared to the American Pro Tele Deluxe, with the latter being valued at about $500 less and featuring Shawbucker pickups.
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The N4 pickups on the Elite are noted for their superior sparkle, twang, and bite compared to the Deluxe's N3 pickups, particularly enhancing the bridge pickup's sound.
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Some players find the J Mascis Jazzmaster neck to be exceptionally comfortable but still prefer the overall feel of the Telecaster Elite.
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Use cases and applications

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The tonal difference between single coils in the Elite and Shawbuckers in the Deluxe is significant, making it crucial for players to test both for personal preference.
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Value and pricing

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Owners suggest that any trade involving the Elite should include at least $300 cash to balance the disparity in guitar values.
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Despite the notable improvements, some users question if the Elite's features justify the $600 price difference over the Deluxe at retail.
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Mods and upgrades

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Users recommend retaining the Elite and considering a pickup swap for desired tonal changes rather than trading for a lesser-valued model.
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Owners have experimented with Lollar pickups but generally revert to the stock N4 pickups due to their effective noiseless feature and comparable sound quality.
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Features and functionality

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The Elite features a compound neck shape transitioning from C to D, offering a consistent feel compared to the Deluxe's changing profile.
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Elite's contoured heel significantly eases access to higher frets, enhancing playability for those frequently reaching the 17th fret and beyond.
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Elite's satin neck finish is praised for its smooth feel, contrasting with the Deluxe's gloss headstock finish, which some players may prefer for aesthetic reasons.
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The Elite's ocean turquoise color with a tortoiseshell pickguard is noted for its unique and stunning visual appeal, contrasting the more common butterscotch and sunburst finishes.
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User experience

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Users transitioning from Les Pauls highlight the Elite for its comfort, particularly praising the "gut cut" body contour and neck shape.
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Critic Reviews

Fender American Elite Telecaster Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Fender American Elite Telecaster is a bold reimagining of the classic Tele, packed with modern updates that will excite players who prefer sleek, hard-rock guitars. Its fast, comfortable neck and noise-free pickups offer excellent build quality and tones, though it deviates from traditional Tele twang. While purists might scoff, the Elite makes up for it with beefier sounds and impressive sustain. At $1,799, it's a worthy investment for those seeking a modern edge in their Telecaster experience. Well played, Fender!

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Artist usage

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Kenneth Harris

Guitarist

Panic! at the Disco

Verified via Photo

Kenneth Harris can be seen using his American Elite Telecaster here while performing with Panic! At The Disco in 2018

Max Becker

Singer, Guitarist

SWMRS

Verified via YouTube

Throughout the entirety of Max's tutorial on how to play "Palm Trees", you can see his beautiful butterscotch blonde Fender telecaster.

Gabby Alipe

Singer, Guitarist

Urbandub

Verified via Photo

Gabby Alipe is seen with a Fender Telecaster American Elite Butterscotch in a photo on Instagram by udubgab, captioned "Classic Vibe ⚡️" with tags to @fender and @jbmusicphilippines.