Sweet Telecaster! 
by BluezNotez from Moline, IL USA, May 2007
Music Background:  35 Years Playing Experience as a Semi-Pro

These are VERY nice guitars. I have several high end Fenders and I am consistantly picking up this one.

I did buy a micro file set and fixed a couple of fret ends but my high end fenders have had similar or worse issues right out of the box.

The frets are nice modern Medium Jumbo frets.
The bridge is nice and heavy duty chrome.
My 2-Tone burst has beautiful grain showing through
on front and back - Solid Alder - nice high gloss finish. The tone is great - very comperable to my high end Fender Ash Strat.
The electronics, pots and switch seem to be high quality - no issues.

A few things to I considered when deciding on purchasing this Tele...


Right out of the box I replaced the pickups with the
Fender Vintage Noiseless set offered here at Sweetwater at a very reasonable price. I would have done the same if buying a Highway 1 or American Series anyway.

I personally love the Vintage Noisless Tele pickups.
They do have a more modern sound. The Alnico V magnets really cut through.


I also bought a set of Schaller Tuners off of ebay for $20. The Ping and Schaller look almost identical except the Schallers have a more refined string post and stay in tune MUCH better. BTW, the Highway 1's have Ping also - you have to go to the American Series to get the Schallers.


I also bought a Fender molded case. Highway ones come with a gigbag too. Again, you have to get into the American Series to get a hardshell case.

Just one more thought..
I've always been a Rosewood kind-of-guy and had no choice but Maple on this one. I truely love this Maple neck. Also the 1.650" nut had me a little worried, but it is just perfect!

Bottom line is you get a nice instrument that may or may not require upgrades - depending on your preferences. I think Fender has stepped up the Standard Series to compete with the import market and they have done a great job on this one.

I've been playing for 35 years and have had MANY guitars - this tele is just plain enjoyable.

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