Which Telecaster is for you? EVERY Fender USA Model Explained!
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- So, if you’re in the market for a new USA Fender, chances are you’ll be asking yourself a few questions. Not content with convention, Fender recently tapped in to the contemporary vein with their brand new Ultra Luxe series, satisfying many guitarists with a taste for more sleek and modern designs and not-so-retro features, who will now be proud to finally adopt an instrument bearing the Fender name. For others, this is heresy, and nothing but the original designs should ever be tampered with, let alone released by the Big F. And, perhaps for most, there’s always the demand for something “in the middle” - a touch of retro home comfort, with a healthy dash of 70+ years worth of player-focused innovation.
Today, we’re going to attempt to answer as many of those questions as we can for you, by way of a full, in-depth USA Telecaster range comparison. We’ve covered every model, from the entry-level Performer, to the latest Ultra Luxe, with the Original, Performer II & regular Ultra guitars taking the middle slots. Every one possesses a truly unique character, and unlocking the details of each will hopefully aid you in making the most informed purchase that you can.
Every guitar you see featured in today’s video is available through our website, linked below. You will also have the luxury of picking the EXACT guitar you’d like to order, via its serial number, weight information, and individual set of high-resolution photos. It’s truly your purchase, your way.
So, let us know in the comments below which guitar resonates with you the most. Are you a dyed-in-the-wool Original player? Or do you like a taste of the hot-rodded Ultra life? Whichever way you stand, drop us a comment below!
Be sure to leave us a like if you’ve enjoyed this and, if you’re new here, remember to hit subscribe and ring the bell, so you’re notified whenever we post new content.
Thanks as always for watching, take care and we’ll see you next time.
Jump to the clips:
0:00 - Introduction
1:38 - Tone Comparison
2:31 - American Performer Overview
6:19 - American Performer Clean
7:24 - American Performer Driven
8:36 - American Professional II Overview
12:54 - American Pro II Clean
14:16 - American Pro II Driven
15:42 - American Original 60s Overview
18:58 - American Original Clean
20:32 - American Original Driven
22:07 - American Ultra Overview
26:56 - American Ultra Clean
28:39 - American Ultra Driven
30:18 - American Ultra LUXE Overview
33:31 - American Ultra LUXE Clean
35:01 - American Ultra LUXE Driven
37:00 - Conclusion - What do you think?
Check out the guitars used in the video HERE:
Fender Ultra LUXE Tele Rosewood Transparent Surf Green - bit.ly/2Tbb2bt
Fender American Ultra Telecaster Arctic Pearl Rosewood - bit.ly/2UOk4vd
Fender American Original Telecaster Surf Green LTD Edition - bit.ly/2WlkR7H
Fender American Professional II Telecaster Black Maple - bit.ly/3hzxW5z
Fender American Performer Tele Maple Neck Vintage White - bit.ly/3ekqUQ2
Full Fender Range found here - bit.ly/3ib2k5k
Full Fender Custom Shop Range found here - bit.ly/3BbhJvp
Website: www.peachguitars.com
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What ever you're paying this guy ....its NOT ENOUGH...excellent versatile guitar player and demos all kinds of guitar in an outstanding way. And gives full details about the guitars. Excellent job jack.
Fully agree. This video is such quality.
I never feel like I need anything else and then Peach puts up these damn videos
I just bought an ultra and I’m freaking in love with this guitar , my wife’s mad she don’t like sleeping with it
My wide don't know about mine.. yet.. it's complicated 😂
*wife
@@enriquemendez1507 don't tell her, it opens doors to more jewelry and such
Why didn't you get the Ultra Luxe? He obviously liked that sound the best.
@@johnpulwers680 I’m not him but I’m guessing that 1. The ultra has way more color options, or 2. The price difference wasn’t worth the upgraded features.
Ultra is also sweet
6:23 Performer Clean
12:57 Professional Clean
19:00 Original 60’s Clean
26:57 Ultra Clean
33:32 Luxe Clean
7:26 Performer Driven
14:17 Professional Driven
20:34 Original 60’s Driven
28:41 Ultra Driven
35:02 Luxe Driven
Based on this review alone, I would have chosen the Ultra Luxe. But since i couldn't afford it, I bought the Performer in Honey Burst. The Performer is everything a tele should be, and I absolutely adore it.
I was making coffee and only listening, but my ears perked up when he started playing the 60s Original - it spoke to me: punchy, chimey, woody...but I'm an old guy, and an comfortable with my MIM Roadworns, so...
It’s been a week since I bought an American Performer in vintage white 😍😍. I am in love with her.
A year after this video was released and I bought an Ultra in Texas Tea. I don:t have a challenge with my wife other than she wants it and doesn't even play. She kind of sniveled about a few others I have purchased, but this one she loves as much as I do and asks me if I'm going to play it when I am going to play one. What a blessing; maybe she can get her own....
I don't sleep with it but it is usually my go to guitar now. I play it more that all the rest (8) combined.
Well done presentation, Jack! Such a good description of each model. Thank you.
That was extremely informative, thank you so much Jack. Love hearing you play, it is an added bonus that we get a players perspective on new gear offerings!
Jacks playing makes all of these sound great. I bought my first tele last year. It’s a dark night, tele pro II. I love it.
Thank you and the effort is much appreciated, as usual. I am not a Tele expert but I did have the American Standard and the American Performer in my house at the same time, and I preferred the Standard. Eventually, I didn't like the belly cut from an esthetic point of view (I did from a player's point of view) and went for an American Professional II in mystic surf green with rosewood fretboard and I am over the moon with it. Changed the tuners to Fenders vintage style tuners (they simply drop in the holes provided once you take the stock tuners off) which they had on the Performer series. I particularly like the satin finish on the neck, it is very smooth. Overall, a beauty of an instrument with the combination of the colours of the materials involved. Definitely a keeper!!
Wooa. Excellent vid Jack. U R an excellent presenter. Gave me everything I wanted to know. Huge thnx
Excellent demos! Very informative! Fine playing, too!
Oh c'mon now throw in a mistake, I can't play no guitars what don't have mistakes all over 'em!
WONDERFUL demo and detail...and artistry... for each and every one, thank you!
i listened to this until the end while studying, and still haven't got distracted. it was a beautiful demo.
I’ve watched every review of this line, and this video was exceptionally detailed and even hard to make in order to pinpoint differences that matter to buyers. To my ear and for my money, the Pro II wins. I was keenly interested in the top line stainless frets, but then I realized in my humid environment that really wouldn’t matter, as other wiring will suffer anyway. Many thanks!
Good show. Very informative. Nice balance between spoken and demonstrated characteristics. I had my pick in the first sixty seconds, with the back to back demonstration. For better, or worse, the rest of the video added more information that might sway based upon buying decisions other than sound. Thanks for the assistance in buying my first Tele.
Thanks so much for this video! Great playing. Back in the 90s I bought an American Standard Tele with a rosewood neck, which I sold years ago. As I recall, it was very warm and full sounding. After hearing all these guitars, it was most likely an alder 60s build with vintage pickups, three saddle bridge and jumbo frets.
Fantastic video and explanation of the different American models! Well done! And awesome playing!
This was such a helpful video, thanks for going into so much detail!
Last year I bought a Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe (dual humbuckers)...it’s like a Swiss Army knife. Fantastic guitar!
exceptional description, and in terms we, the amateur players can understand. Great channel, thx so much.
I bought an American Performer myself. A great playing and sounding guitar straight out of the box.
Ditto!!
I got an American Performer Strat (seafoam green). I put locking tuners & a Floyd Rose Rail-Tail on it but not necessary. It's my go-to. I was gonna get an American Pro, but it had that lacquer coating on the maple fretboard & I like the raw wood feel of standard maple.
I've also got a Tele Deluxe (Troublemaker Tele) & its pickups are incredible but it's a bit heavy. I play 99% of the time with the guitar on my lap (4hrs daily at least) so having something light/comfy is important.
Agreed. Although I did get the compensated brass saddles from stew mac as well as a natural bone nut.
I am very happy with it. I have it in Vintage white - the humbucker model.
Highly recommend...
I had no idea that each one of these tele's have such different tones. Thanks very much👍
Amazing video!
Being always fascinated by the Telecaster, but never really finding the one for me this is helpful.
Incredible overview. As a result I pulled the trigger on a mystic surf green Am Pro II today. My first new fender since I bought my ‘74 Precision in high school!
How do you love it ?
@@titi64230 its incredible
You guys are doing a great job of your videos and the playing is awesome 👍
Great playing. Excellent demonstration video.
Just bought my 1st tele. American ultra luxe plus top! Love it!!!
Amazing work... Thank you for this long-awaited explanation... Thank you.
Thank you, very detailled video and nice playing !
I absolutely love the style of Playing on that Ultra Luxe! Hammersound modern and fresh!
Really digging the 60's Surf Green Tele! 🏄🏻♂️ I don't always like the matching painted headstock, but it works perfectly, there! After all, green is in my DNA! ☘☘☘
Really enjoyed this vid. I expected to watch for a bit but watched the entire video. Now I “need” a Tele
Hello! Thank you, great demo as always!
That Performer looks and sounds absolutely amazing.
Thank you. The best ever presentation about Telecaster.
Great Video, very clear and very informative. I bought an Elite just before the Ultra range came out (I got a good deal on it) - it is a fabulous instrument and by far the best of the 5 Tele's I've owned going back to the 1970's. I'll be keeping it for years I think but I also do love the look of the 75th. Anniversary guitars...........
Amazing skills and that tone! Really good job
Thanks for the in-depth review of several different Telecaster models! The Professional II sounds great!
I just ordered an American Performer yesterday and am anxious to get it into my hands ‘cause I know I’m gonna love it!
Very informative and articulate presentation.
Thing is, I want them all! I love Telecasters period.
My Tele is the last one on your presentation, the Ultra Luxe in green. It's a dream of guitar.
I know this is a year old, and I already know everything about these guitars but it’s so great to listen to and so well executed. ❤
Wonderful as always! After far too long I finally landed on the Pro II from among these and many others. One thing I didn't hear (I may have missed it) is that the Pro II is one of the few Telecasters (or even T-Style guitars) out there that has a top load string option. Not only that, but with the Pro II you can top load OR run your strings through the body. May seem unimportant but once you experience the difference, it's a great option to have; especially depending on your style.
A close second--if not tied for first--the Ultra is just so comfortable to play. Also, I'm in love with the Cobra Blue, so there's that. However, I'm still not sold on the Fender Noiseless pups. Were the pups more suited to me and were there a top load option...or if I were just rich...I may have gone with the Ultra.
That said, it's hard to go too far wrong with this line-up. Are they over-priced? Totally depends on what you want. Yes, you're definitely paying extra for the name, but a lot comes with the name, so fair enough.
So do you like the top loading option better since you can use either? I’ve never heard of a guitar that could do either one - very interesting.
I almost bought an Ultra in Texas Tea to match my HSS Ultra strat. Instead I went a bit overboard and modded a fiesta red Vintera Custom 70’s I bought used. It already came with a Mastery M3 bridge, and I changed the pups to a CuNiFe Wide Range neck humbucker and Amber Blues in the bridge (handmade by Wolfgang Damm, he worked for Gibson and came up with the P94). I also changed the pots to VIPots 550k, added a black pickguard, strap locks and got a navy blue Fender case for it. Very happy with it, feels like «my» tele. I can’t sell it anyway at this point :P
I bought a Performer in January 2020. It got me thru Covid lockdown sane. So I owe it a hugely already. It is quite amazing, it has a tone AND a volume control - wow! You can change from the neck pick-up to the bridge pick up using a selector switch, conveniently provided. It has a single cutaway (who needs more?) so you can get to the upper register. But it don't got no whammy bar, so you have to do all the vibrato stuff yourself. It does stays in tune, even when you bend up 2 whole notes, so the electronic tuner I bought is redundant (damn!). To sum up, It's just bloody brilliant, and I'm a much better guitarist already! Will I go back to my Strat or LP? Not in a million years! Just save up and buy one - you know you are worth it!
this is a convincing review
reads like a r/guitarcirclejerk post
I'm just about to purchase one thanks for the review it's made my mind up.
Very good sound and tasteful playing👏
I've got the Jimmy Page Mirror Tele and a 2003 American Standard and they are both awesome but the Mirror Tele is in a league of its own. Seriously a rock machine and an instant classic Tele!
Yeh me too, it just has this transparency and clarity to my ears it’s like totally pure (the Mirror). I think it’s the top loaded bridge. I also have a 60th anniversary nitro blackguard replica standard with maple neck which is so raw in the bass. For value for money it’s the best. My other Tele is the ultra and to me it’s totally lifeless - the Maz 18 here must be doing a lot for it. Ordered some Pure Vintage 64 pickups this week to try and bring it to life. Need to sell one of the three I promised myself!
The neck on the Ultra and the Texas Tea finish are so nice I’d like to save it and keep it and the Mirror ideally.
Recently bought an AM Pro II in Roasted Pine at BTM Nürnberg. Love this Guitar!
I chose the pro 2. For me it was feel of the deep D shaped neck, not too narrow at the nut. The sound of these pick ups is exactly what i think a tele should sound like, I think the noiseless pick ups just don't quite have the same twang. I did like the feel of the compound radius on the ultra luxe as well. Would have been nice to have stainless frets, on the pro 2 and maybe the contour. Also the compensated bullet saddles give you the option to string it through the back or the bridge and look more traditional. That's my 2 cents
Wow, thanks for the video!
Thanks! This was very useful 👍
Great overview! 👍 Just what I was looking for. Was primarily considering the Performer although I think the Pro II and/ The Originals are the way to go. Slightly more likely to go for the Pro II. Spec-wise, the Ultras seemd great although lacked the sonic mojo of the others IMO.
Overall awesome video, 🙏 Thank you.
Hmm its an interesting take. I myself own an Ultra, got it within the first few months of release in ash/butterscotch, years later still not sure I love it, love aspects of it, love the pickups when I use gain, love the neck feel ... looks amazing...most $$$ guitar I own but its not my #1 (Am Pro Jazzmaster gets that nod). Sometimes I think about selling it and sometimes I think I would be crazy to sell it.
Phenomenal video. I didn't know it before, but now I need that luxe tele. Should I get green or burst???
I played an Ultra Luxe and the quality and sound was insane! That compound radius fretboard is the most comfortable thing. I thought I liked 12" radius the best until I tried this. Can't really justify spending $2650 on it, but I'd consider a used Ultra or Elite since they also have the compound radius and belly cut.
Great video. Subscribed!!
What a phenomenal guitarist! 👏
I got an American Professional II in February and absolutely love it.
nice! which finish?
Very good video. It would have been nice to know which amp(s) you used
Best demos ever…..top notch !!
I just got an ultra and it's really great! I'm looking forward to finding out how it's going to fit with the singers I'm playing with. I've been using a les paul clone with lollar p90s and bigsby mostly lately.
Great vid! Please do a tele comparison of diff pickups, woods, thinlines, etcs. Thanks
Informative! Thanks;)
A Squier CV body with a US Made Warmoth neck with a Fender headstock Decal from Etsy
I love peach guitars! Great content always and very professional presentation. Great stuff! I looove guitars!!
Thank you for the excellent demo. I've been going nuts trying to find the right tele. Nobody has anything in stock to try before you buy. Looks like the pro 2 is going work great. Definitely hear the difference in those pickups compared to the rest.
Same here, such a tough choice!
I ordered the original 50s never played a tele I’m an acoustic but let’s do it good luck boys
I have the American Performer in satin sonic blue, it’s awesome! Going to install some Texas Special pickups and a 4 way selector switch though
Super helpful, thanks.
I have a 2014 fender American standard tele on its way right now and I can’t wait! I hope it’s everything I wanted.
If I was looking at buying a new Tele then the best sounding guitar in this range for me was that Surf Green one, in both clean AND dirty tones 👍
Went from a strat player to an ultra. HUGE difference. Gonna try the ultra luxe telecaster bc why not
Fantastic review.
very interesting , i want to buy one now !!!!!!!!
Thank you, great video. You are very well spoken, Impressive young man! I've just purchased my first Fender and you video convinced me I got the right one, I hope! So, I just purchased the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster HSS Floyd Rose Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar Mystic Black, it will be delivered 4/1/2022. I also own a Martin D28 Modern Deluxe and a Cort X700 Duality. I'm good at making money and buying guitars but I'm totally crappy at playing them. For those of us struggling to learn to play guitar it's so frustrating watching accomplished players like you make it look so effortlessly. I struggle hitting getting multiple fingers on the correct strings and when I do they don't make good contact and it sounds terrible. On top of that after a short while my fingers start to hurt a lot from the strings. I thought I'd find a guitar that's easier to play and learn so I purchased those guitars hoping I'd find one that worked for me, such has not been the case. I'm not giving up but I am damn frustrated. I just noticed that my Ultra Luxe has three pickups and the one your playing has two and the control knobs are all different.
I have a feeling you purchased the Ultra Luxe Strat…
I think the Professional II takes the cake, honestly
Awesome video. What amp/pedals are you playing through?
Bought an Ultra….very simple…it’s about going forward and not living in the past. It’s feels like a boutique guitar, feels like a Ferrari in my hands. Slimmer neck, heavy rolled edges, medium frets, individual brass (chrome covered) saddles, slimmer bridge, contoured body access, bone nut, satin finish neck, nice quiet pickups, locking tuners, beautiful binding body, tsa approved case all in a flawless perfect finish. Thx Fender, it’s not the 60’s anymore!
Between the Pro II and Performer Strat, I went with the Performer based on neck feel and pickups. I don’t love the pickups on the performer, but there is something about the pickups on the Pro II that just didn’t sound the way I wanted.
One month later and the Player Plus Fenders have been released, early days but I think consumers who were considering an American made model may be drawn to these upgraded more affordable made in Mexico guitars. Improved neck and frets, locking tuners, noiseless pickups,, push/pull on the tone pot to give more tone variations. New shape bodies on the Tele's and a Nashville version with a middle Strat pickup, better quality bridge and included gig bag, new colours. Glad I didn't buy a Player Tele in the last couple of weeks!!!
The 3rd one 60s limited edition is perfection. Sold. Now just have to find it in Australia
very nice playing!
Wow, Jack, those tunes are very tasty. Great demos.
I'd go with the American Performer Tele because it has the Yosemite pickups and jumbo frets. The higher end American made have the narrow tall frets. I really don't care for the narrow tall frets.
So awesome playing!
Ive been leaning towards the Performer with the mindset of simplicity and just basic down and dirty American Telecaster. But, upon deeper consideration and this presentation withstanding, the Pro II is causing the scale to tip into balance. I want to go rosewood mainly bc my strat is maple and the thought of going away from the Performer lends me to open to a non-traditional finish like the Dark Knight. So yes. the wide variety line-up is like a large menu at greasy diner!
It's amazing what people on UA-cam will say for money!
Great stuff!
I like the Performer
Awesome playing.
love the chrome-plated steel ashtray
That Ultra Lux is an absolute beauty
I'm going for the performer series telecaster . Plain Jane with great pups .
what is the amp used in this video? Great tone! Thanks
Just got an American professional 2 but after your review will be definitely picking up an Ultra Lux.. Thank you for all the valuable info
how have you gotten along with the pro 2?
@@linsomastin6617 I absolutely love the American Pro 2, it is absolutely perfect! Completely beautiful, plays and sounds, incredible. If you a new Fender this is it.
@@AllieSpivey999 awesome!!
Love the playing 😍
After the American Professional - the growth in sound is subtle .. I own a Professional Strat and have played all types of Teles starting from Elite down to Thinline and the Squires and G&L etc ... Professional onward the game is very very different folks.
When you say different as you ascend the lineup, do you mean better or worth the money?
The Professional ii is so cool. I need one