Shop Keyboard Deals, Financing, and More

Fender Player Telecaster - Tidepool with Maple Fingerboard Demo

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Tidepool
Building your custom Guitar Gallery

Demo Savings!

Save $80 when you buy this demo! What is a demo?

The price below reflects your savings.

$719.99
Demo Savings: $80.00

New for $799.99

Condition Notes:

There are finish cracks on both sides of the neck pocket. There are other fine scratches on various places of the instrument that are not shown in Guitar Gallery images.

This item was thoroughly inspected by our factory-authorized service team and is backed by Sweetwater's exclusive 2-year warranty. These images are of the exact item advertised, and provide as accurate a representation of its condition as possible. If you need further information, please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.

Or pay $119.99 for 6 months with Easy Pay

See all payment options
In Stock!

Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Certified Fit Cases

No more guesswork! These cases are hand-tested and guaranteed to fit your guitar. See how we do it

Certified Fit Cases

Fender Player Telecaster - Tidepool with Maple Fingerboard
In Stock!
$719.99
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

A Classic Tele with Modern Flavor

Some folks think Teles are a twanging one-trick pony. They obviously never played a Fender Player Series Telecaster. Loaded with dual Alnico V single-coil pickups, this axe delivers everything from country twang to jazzy articulation to high-octane rock 'n' roll — and anything in between. A modern C-shaped neck and 22-fret, 9.5"-radius fingerboard give you a decidedly contemporary feel with fast action and comfortable playability. You also get a synthetic bone nut, 6-saddle string-through bridge, and Fender standard sealed tuners. If you appreciate classic Tele tone but crave a more modern flavor, pick up the Player Series Telecaster. But be warned — you won't want to put it down.

Fender's Player Series: vintage vibe, modern edge

For their new Player Series guitars, Fender went back to the drawing board with updated radii for more historically accurate body shapes, new vintage-inspired finishes, and a classic logo that harkens back to the Fenders of yesteryear. But these smooth-playing instruments also look to the future with modern enhancements that include 22-fret necks, upgraded bridges for better sustain, and refined pickups that crank out legendary Fender tone by the boatload.

Alnico V pickups deliver punchy sounds with ample output

You're sure to cut through the mix, thanks to the Player Series Telecaster's Alnico V single-coil pickups. These pups deliver the classic tones that have been with us since the dawn of the Tele, but with increased punch and output. If you're into chicken pickin', you'll love the sound of this Tele's bridge pickup. And single-line jazz and country lines sound heavenly on the neck pickup. Full-on amp distortion sounds great in either position, yielding tight lows and stinging highs. Aggressive twang, smoky jazz, saturated high-gain — everything sounds great through these pickups.

Maple neck and fingerboard

Leo Fender wasn't a guitar player. In fact, he got his start repairing radios. When designing his original instruments, he had no idea that guitars weren't supposed to have maple necks. This Fender Player Series Telecaster has the revered maple neck and a tried-and-true maple fingerboard, supplying you with a snappy feel and clear-as-a-bell sound. In keeping with contemporary tastes, this Tele has a more modern C-shaped maple neck with a satin urethane finish.

The Fender Telecaster — a brief history

This is it: the original guitar that started Fender's march into contemporary music history. It appeared in the early 1950s and was first named the Broadcaster. The ingeniously simple design, the bolt-on neck, and the slab body all contribute to the guitar's trademark tones and player-friendly feel. From Nashville twang to blistering rock tones, the Telecaster sound has made its presence felt in nearly every musical category. The diverse list of Telecaster players, including Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, James Burton, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer, and John 5 (and quite a few of us here at Sweetwater) attests to the guitar's universal appeal.

Fender Player Series Telecaster Features:

  • A Telecaster with classic tones and modern playability
  • Alnico V single-coil pickups deliver punchy sounds with ample output
  • Fast-action modern C-shaped neck and 22-fret, 9.5"-radius fingerboard
  • Synthetic bone nut enhances vibrational transfer through the neck
  • 6-saddle string-through bridge supplies a mean bite and excellent intonation
  • Fender standard sealed tuners for rock-solid tuning

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

What is Demo Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call a "demo" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

What demo means to us is that we've had it out of the box, or maybe it was in a customer's hands for a few days and isn't "factory fresh" as a result. Every demo item we sell has Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty, and has been tested and verified up to "new" specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it's in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

Note: While demo items from Fender do not include the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation warranty, you can shop with confidence knowing that this item is backed and covered by Sweetwater’s 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty.

When you buy a Demo item at Sweetwater, you get:
  • 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty™!
  • Products inspected and tested by our factory-authorized techs, guaranteed to function like new (or better)!
  • FREE shipping on most items
  • Equipment that will MEET or EXCEED your expectations!

Click HERE to browse our current inventory of Demo equipment. Purchasing demo gear from Sweetwater is a smart and safe way to save!

Additional Media

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape Player Telecaster
  • Body Material Alder
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyester
  • Color Tidepool
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Maple
  • Neck Shape Modern C
  • Neck Joint Bolt-on
  • Radius 9.5"
  • Fingerboard Material Maple
  • Fingerboard Inlay Dots
  • Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
  • Scale Length 25.5"
  • Nut Width 1.650"
  • Nut Material Synthetic Bone
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece 6-Saddle String-through Body Tele Bridge with Block Steel Saddles
  • Tuners Standard Die-cast Sealed
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Player Series Alnico V Tele Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup Player Series Alnico V Tele Single-coil
  • Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching 3-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings Fender, .009-.042
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0145212513

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Wow! If there is one guitar to rule them all...

I won this guitar as well as a Danelectro 57 reissue in Limo Black (see the review) I love them both.
My Fender Player Telecaster in Tidepool Blue included a professional setup by world-class luthiers.

Firstly, before I list the pros and cons I will tell you my plans for customizing this. I will upgrade the tuners to locking. I am replacing the string tree with Graph Tech trees because well it's better. I'll probably upgrade the strap buttons to either oversized or locking. I'll replace the pickguard to something more custom which is simply cosmetic. I may swap out the control plate for one with a slanted switch slot and to add space between the switch and the volume knob. I might add a 4-way switch to include the pickups in series option. I may upgrade the input jack as some people say that it is lacking and eventually doesn't hold the plug tight. And eventually, I will upgrade the nut but it's fine for now. The Black Plastic cap of the 3 Way selector is trash. That thing falls off like it's gravity's favorite toy.

Secondly, the pickups ARE PERFECT, The Neck Pickup is as smooth as butter. The smoothest creamiest pickup I've ever heard on any guitar. The Bridge Pickup is what you want and expect from a Tele Bridge. In the middle position it is what some call a sweetspot. It's very nice. But I'm impressed with the neck pickup the most. I enjoy them all. As far as I can tell the only reason to ever upgrade is if you want noiseless. Or a humbucker or P-90 instead.

Thirdly, the neck is awesome. The profile is ideal for me. Not chunky and not wizard. But it's got enough there. The frets on mine are perfect being glassy, and smooth. If Phil McKnight did the sock test on this it would be 5 out of 5 stars no marks on the stocking at all.

Although, I'm not sure how it is from the factory. But The luthiers did a superb job with the crowns and fret ends. It may not have a rolled edge but for the price and everything that this Tele can do, who cares? It's still comfortable and nice. I could easily see this guitar as being worth twice the price. Which I hope never happens.

Fourthly, you don't need to upgrade anything, I just like to personalize it and make it more "mine".

Fifthly, As for the controls, the volume and tone pots are not scratchy at least not on mine. Tons of tonal range. Like I said I'd get a 4-way selector switch and make it even better. Again, the plastic end cap is the devil.

Sixthly, As for comfort. It's built like a vintage Tele as in without the modern belly cut. It's a big flat piece(s) of alder. It gets the job done. You probably won't even care or even miss the belly cut with what you get in terms of sound and performance. The weight isn't bad. It's not vintage Les Paul heavy but it isn't Dano or Ibanez S series light either. It's tanky. The bridge doesn't cause "hotspots" like the old ashtray styles do.

Seventhly, with the string thru and the modern saddle bridge, the sustain is nothing short of impressive. I know the old ashtray style with the brass bars is classic and help with a certain twang but I wouldn't swap it. I'm told if that's more your thing to consider the Gotoh intune ashtray Tele bridge. I'm leaving this baby as it is.

Eighthly, THE COLOR IS... well you need to see it in person. GORGEOUS. IT kinda has a color-shift effect. Different lighting... Photos don't do it any justice. In person, it's jaw-dropping.

Finally, If your setup is as good as mine. You would probably say that this is your favorite guitar. I haven't even upgraded anything yet and I already know that this is a keeper. I do not see any reason to go for an American Pro. or even a Custom Shop. If anything other than this model, The Player Plus should scratch that itch. I think this Player series is "The One". If not, it is definitely the TELE for me. If you are in the market for a Tele, Save money, pull the trigger, and get this guitar.
Rated 5/5

Fine Instrument

It has been sometime since I purchased a Fender instrument. I'll say they have steadily improved. After adjusting to taste the action and intonation, it plays superb. The two single coils give it that Fender depth and Tele-twang. The neck is very easy on the hands. I purchased this Guitar for my wife, it's her first electric. Hat's off to Fender for a nice instrument.
Music background: Over 50 years
Rated 5/5

Great sound and plenty of compliments

Very happy with this purchase and as always the service provided by Sweetwater. Guitar was out of stock, but Alan was great about keeping me updated and taken care of. Guitar was in perfect condition. Action and intonation needed a little work, but I replaced the bridge and added a bigsby, so I had to redo all that anyway. Guitar plays great and has surprised me with tone for the price point. Had seen conflicting images online that showed differences in the tidepool color where some looked green and others looked grayish/blue. In person, it is a fantastic blue color.
Rated 4.5/5

Spectacular Guitar for the Price

I have always wanted a Fender Telecaster. I finally decided to look into them to find the right model for me and my budget. I eventually landed on the Player Series for its slightly updated yet still classic Tele sound, the stunning color choices, and the amazing price.

I spent a week just deciding on the color! I went with Tidepool because it spoke to me and I knew I had to find a nice pickguard to match (from etsy). I even got the tweed case, which fits the guitar snug and safe. I had Sweetwater set it up with NYXL 10-52 strings because I play in D Standard, which are the perfect tension for that tuning and sound great. I also installed Fender locking tuners myself just for the convenience of them. The pickups sounded wonderful with my clean style playing (midwest emo) especially in the middle position. The guitar looks and feels great; quite impressive for a flat slab of wood.

There was an issue, though. The setup that was done was not that great. So much so that I was doubting whether it was the guitar or me just being nitpicky. I talked with my rep (Matt Kreager) who told me that I could send it back to get fixed, they could send me a new one, or I could take it to a local luthier. I decided to take the opportunity to instead visit Sweetwater itself for the first time.

What a cool place. If you think Guitar Center is a music store, then you need to go see Sweetwater. Their facility and staff show you what a music store should be like. I took my guitar to the repair desk and told them no rush as my partner and I explored the place for the next four hours. After we were content, I went to the guy working on my guitar, and wow! He gave me all of the information about Tele's that any first-time owner would not know and showed me ways of doing small corrections myself at home. The setup he did was phenomenal on top of that, and the guitar sang much better than it previously had. He even replaced the strings with a new set of NYXL 10-52's, which I didn't even have to ask him to do. All of this was complimentary! When people tell you Sweetwater has stellar customer service, this is what they are talking about.

Throughout this whole journey, I have learned a few things. One, the Player Series Telecaster lives up to the name and does everything better than I could have hoped for. Two, Sweetwater is the best and only music store for me. Finally, and most surprisingly, when thrown through two overdrives (even on a Fender Deluxe Reverb) this Tele can sound as heavy as my Schecter with EMG's.

Bottom line, BUY THIS GUITAR. It will quickly become the only guitar you play.
Music background: 17 years of playing guitar and other stringed instruments
Rated 4/5

Absolute love the tele I recieved

Had no intention of buying a tele in tidepool blue, but when I saw the photos of this particular neck I locked in immediately! Was a beautiful flamed maple neck and with the blue and chrome it hit me right in the "classic car" kinda vibes.

Showed up and needed minor TLC.. adjustment of pickup and bridge. The nut was a little sloppy, had my G string jump free the first weekend when bending about the 4th fret, but I cleaned it up ( and use one size below fender standards ) so I've not had the issue since.

Overall no regrets and I'm still as excited to pick this thing up every time as I was when I purchased it 4+ months ago

It’s impossible to imagine a world without Fender guitars, and if you’re like many of the guitarists at Sweetwater, then Fender not only made the first guitar you ever bought " they made the last one too! From building the first mass-produced solidbody electric guitars and basses in the 1950s to creating some of the most influential amplifier designs in history, it’s no wonder why Fender is one of the biggest names in the business. As one of the world’s largest Fender dealers, we have countless guitars, basses, amps, effects pedals, and accessories in stock and ready to ship, whenever you need them. We’re always getting our hands on their latest creations, and there’s nothing we love more than to tell our customers all about them! So, whether you’re looking for your first axe or a Custom Shop creation, make sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.

Don't trust your guitar purchase to anyone else.

Everything we do is focused on delivering the best possible service and experience to you.

Other Retailers

Free 55-point Inspection

Don't get stuck with imperfections, defects, or blemishes that the manufacturer didn't catch. Learn More

Sweetwater

Other Retailers

Pick Your Guitar

Don't get just any guitar or bass — get yours. We photograph every serial number - allowing you to pick the perfect finish, weight, and woodgrain.

Sweetwater

Other Retailers

Free 2-year Warranty

Have extra peace of mind with above-and-beyond coverage to ensure you're protected in the long run. Learn More

Sweetwater

Other Retailers

Limited Warranty

Limited Warranty

Free Shipping

Free Shipping

Buy what you need — don't worry about meeting restrictive minimums. Learn More

Minimums may apply

Extra Protective Packing

Making sure your precious purchase arrives safe and sound.

Sweetwater

Other Retailers

More Options

Your rig is unique. Complement your new guitar or bass with whatever amp, pedal, picks, and more ... that you could want from hundreds of top manufacturers. Learn More

Sales Engineers

Your very own gear expert. Personalized advice, exclusive call-in savings, and so much more. Learn More

Easy Customization

Plek, setup, and more. Before it even leaves our building, have our pros modify your new guitar or bass exactly to your liking. Learn More

Limited

Close Close $2,000 Pick Your PRS Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!