I've owned my Telecaster Custom for 5 years now, and have never been anything but happy with it. This particular Telecaster design is really Fender's and Squier's answer to a track-proven design originally featured by Gibson and Epiphone. It uses 2 dual-coil Humbucker type pickups (vs single coil) but also features separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, a la Les Paul, SG, 335, etc.. You can choose either pickup exclusively, or you can select BOTH pickups, and "blend" the two pickups, favoring one pickup over the other. The tone combinations are endless. A few other things that set it apart even from Gibsons and Epiphones: 1, It has a maple fretboard, vs rosewood or ebony; a departure from what one normally finds in that area. 2, It's string-through body design means that it still has a LOT more brightness or treble than any Gibson or Epiphone. You still have a ton of "Twang" on tap, should you desire that. I use mine through either an Egnater 15-watt Tweaker head with some pedals, connected though either a single 12" cab or 2-12" cab, and also use it through a Fender 2-12" Hot Rod Deville (aka Ampzilla!). This guitar does NOT disappoint. I would highly recommend that anyone considering getting a Telecaster, check one of these out FIRST. Of the three Telecasters that I personally own and love, this one is definitely my favorite. This is without question, one of the best "bang-for-the-buck" guitars out there. It's a permanent fixture in MY guitar collection, for sure. Two thumbs up!

bandguy58 owns this item

This was my first electric guitar. I ordered it through Musician's Friend and had it professionally set up. Initially, I loved the way the guitar played but thought the pick ups were a little muddy when I sat in with some friends during their rehearsal. After talking to them they recommended that I get a couple of upgrades which I did. I had a set of Seymour Duncan SH-2 in the neck and SH-4 in the bridge. I had the tuners replaced with a set of Hipshot locking tuners. Cosmetically, I do not like the witches hat style knobs so I replaced them with Strat knobs. That definitely did the trick. The guitar stays in tune very well and sounds great. I would say this is a great beginner guitar but with a couple of modifications, it is a great guitar period.

JaimeATC owns this item

I have owned mine for around 5-6 months now of this review. You can find these at great prices from major musical instrument stores online & offline !!

I can't say how it compares to the deluxe tele it's kinda modeled after ... BUT I do believe the pickups in this model do provide a very similar tone as to the wides in the deluxe. What you don't get in low bass you gain in mid to high bass & midrange out of them.

As far as the guitar itself ..... quality is almost perfect accept mine that I purchased has some kinda stain/resin spot on the 1st fret section of the fretboard. Otherwise, guitar is VERY accessable/playable .... in fact had a guy who owns an american standard tele say it felt & almost played better then his $2000 tele!

I've been able to play anything from jazzy kinda les paul stuff all the way thru to metal on this guitar thru my peavey vypyr 30 .... especialy nails early zeppelin & hendrix kinda stuff.

And lastly, these further become a great deal/value for those whom like modding there guitars ..... change a pickguard out, knobs or swap in some coil tappable humbuckers to get more tele tones out of it. The possibilties are endless with this guitar !!

The ONLY shame about this model is its black only ... this in white would also be very stunning, or maybe even a matching painted headstock. Otherwise .... its a must purchase weither your a beginner or professional guitar player!!

terrybear1 owns this item