Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,939
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Unleash your inner rockstar with the Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature electric guitar. Once a Japan-exclusive, this beauty is now available for musicians worldwide. Known for its association with Richie Kotzen, renowned for his stints with Poison and Mr. Big, this guitar is the epitome of impeccable design and performance.
The guitar's body is a work of art, with a beautiful flame maple top on a comfortable, contoured ash body. The satin-finish maple neck, with its large "C"-shaped profile, invites smooth and effortless playability. The 12"-radius maple fingerboard comes with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid dot inlays, making it a joy to play for both solo artists and sidemen alike.
But the real magic lies in the distinctive combination of DiMarzio Twang King (neck) and Chopper T (bridge) pickups. This pair delivers a staggering range of tones, from the traditional Tele twang to modern high-gain sounds. The guitar is also equipped with a rotary series/parallel switch, allowing you to explore a multitude of soundscapes.
Key Features:
- Beautiful flame maple top on an ash body
- Satin-finish maple neck with a large "C"-shaped profile
- 12"-radius maple fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid dot inlays
- DiMarzio Twang King (neck) and Chopper T (bridge) pickups
- Three-way blade pickup switch with "barrel" tip
- Master volume control and rotary series/parallel switch
- Single-ply cream pickguard, gold six-saddle through-body Telecaster bridge
- Gotoh sealed tuners and gold hardware
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Richie Kotzen Telecaster |
| Body Material | Ash |
| Top Material | Flamed Maple |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | Large C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Abalone Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | 6-Saddle String-through Body Tele Bridge with Block Steel Saddles |
| Tuners | Gotoh Die-cast Sealed |
| Neck Pickup | DiMarzio Twang King single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | DiMarzio Chopper T humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, rotary series/parallel rotary switch |
| Switching | 3-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | Fender, .009-.042 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster?
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The Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster features a large "C" neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip for players who prefer a thicker neck.
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What pickups are used in the Richie Kotzen Telecaster?
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The Richie Kotzen Telecaster is equipped with a DiMarzio Twang King single-coil in the neck position and a DiMarzio Chopper T humbucker in the bridge position, offering a versatile range of tones.
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Is the Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster suitable for heavier music styles?
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Yes, the DiMarzio Chopper T humbucker in the bridge position provides a powerful output suitable for heavier music styles, while the single-coil neck pickup offers classic Telecaster tones.
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What is the fingerboard radius on the Richie Kotzen Telecaster?
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The fingerboard radius of the Richie Kotzen Telecaster is 12 inches, which allows for easier bending and a flatter playing surface, suitable for various playing styles.
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Does the Richie Kotzen Telecaster come with a case or gig bag?
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The Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately.
Videos
session
FENDER Richie Kotzen Telecaster BSB
FENDER Richie Kotzen Telecaster BSB
session
This Thing is BEEFY! | Fender Richie Kotzen Signature Telecaster | Review + Demo
The Trogly's Guitar Show
No Talking...Just Tones | Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster | Brown Sunburst
Peach Guitars
Fender Richie Kotzen Signature Telecaster - Can Made In Japan Be As Good As Made In The USA?!
Rich Bischoff
Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster - Demo
Casino Guitars
Demo Fender telecaster Richie Kotzen
Gonzalo Cordovez
Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster gear demo
Max Guitar B.V.
Reviews
PROS
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Immaculate finish, with stunning flame maple top and gold hardware accents
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DiMarzio pickups offer versatile tones from clean to heavy rock
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Neck offers a comfortable, chunky profile similar to vintage Les Pauls
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Unique tone boost switch provides extra gain in the middle pickup position
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High-quality build surpasses many American-made counterparts
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12" fretboard radius and jumbo frets enhance playability
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Excellent sustain and tone, suitable for various music styles
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Well-executed fit and finish with attention to detail
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No feedback or hum from pickups, ensuring clear sound
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Custom shop quality at a mid-range price point
CONS
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Extremely thick neck may not suit players with small hands
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No tone control, only a switch for series/parallel wiring
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Heavy for a Telecaster, comparable to a Les Paul
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No case or gig bag included, requiring additional purchase
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Loose or disconnected wiring reported in some units
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Stock strings are light gauge, may need immediate replacement
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Lacks locking tuners, potential tuning stability issues
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Requires shielding for pickguard to eliminate static buzz
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature.
Features and functionality
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The Richie Kotzen Telecaster features a large neck with a DiMarzio Chopper T pickup, praised for its exceptional tone quality and switchable series/parallel wiring.
Source -
The guitar's versatility is highlighted by its ability to handle both low and high gain settings, suitable for diverse rock genres.
Source -
The serial number's placement varies between the headstock and heel depending on the production year, with some 2020 models having it on the headstock.
Source -
The guitar does not come with a Drop D tuner stock; this is an aftermarket modification done by Richie Kotzen himself.
Source
User experience
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Owners describe the neck as "beefy yet fast," which contributes to the guitar's comfort and playability despite its larger size.
Source -
Owners mention the neck's stability across different climates, particularly in regions like Wisconsin, where weather changes are significant.
Source -
Owners of the Ultra Luxe Telecaster praise the contoured body and stainless frets, although finding them overpriced, they appreciate the high fret accessibility.
Source -
The Ultra Telecaster, despite having a D-shaped neck, is noted for its comfort and fits well within a 2000 euro budget when bought used.
Source
Build quality
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The Richie Kotzen Telecaster is noted for its superior build quality, including a spotless fret job and absence of finish over spray on frets.
Source -
Early Kotzen Telecasters are noted for having better flame maple tops but tend to be heavier due to different wood batches.
Source -
The gold hardware on earlier models tarnished faster than later versions.
Source -
Some owners of Ultra models report multiple issues out of the box, including the need for nut adjustments to accommodate thicker strings.
Source
Value and pricing
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Despite its premium price, the guitar does not include a hard or soft case, which some owners find surprising for this price segment.
Source
Comparisons
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The Player Plus series offers similar features to the Richie Kotzen Telecaster, including a series/parallel push/pull switch for versatile sound options.
Source -
The G&L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Classic is recommended for those seeking a Telecaster variant with modern features outside of the Fender brand.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 11 Ratings
120
My main guitar in Heroes of Switzerland
The Kotzen is a brilliant clash of vintage and modern. Check out my full review at www.japanguitarhunter.com
209
Great Axe for songs that i don't use my Gibson LP for!!
http://intl.fender.com/en-NL/series/artist/richie-kotzen-telecaster-maple-fingerboard-brown-sunburst/
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video, Richie Kotzen talks with his signature model, made in Japan, Fender Telecaster guitar. The guitar is equipped with two DiMarzios Pick Ups, N-Tune tuner, Series/Parallel Knob Switch and Hipshot Xtender.
The pickguard has been changed to a tortoise shell guard but this is clearly the Kotzen signature. Note the headstock signature, the distinctive gold hardware, DiMarzio twin-blade bridge pickups, body binding and abalone dot inlays.
Dave Kilminster uses the Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature model during the Roger Waters Tour, as detailed in an article on GuitarPlayer.com.
Baden can be seen playing the richie kotzen signature tele here
Baden Donegal used the Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature guitar predominantly during the Chiaroscuro tour and subsequent shows, as noted by Ocean Alley on their Twitter account.
Yo Onityan uses the Fender Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature, as evidenced by an Instagram video he posted.
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 Telecaster Richie Kotzen Signature, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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