Fender 0378213550 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Telecaster is one of the most iconic and influential electric guitar models ever made. First introduced in 1950 as the Broadcaster, the Telecaster was Fender's first foray into mass-produced solid body electric guitars. Its simple yet elegant design featured a single cutaway slab body made from ash, a bolt-on maple neck, and just two pickups - a bridge pickup for treble tones and a neck pickup for warmer sounds.

With its bright, cutting tone and smooth playability, the Telecaster quickly became a studio and stage staple for country, blues, and rock musicians. Music legends like Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, James Burton, and many others have used Telecasters to create some of the most famous guitar riffs and solos of all time. More than 70 years after its debut, the Telecaster remains one of Fender's most popular models and continues to be highly influential across multiple music genres.

This review will take an in-depth look at the modern Fender Telecaster model 0378213550 to highlight its build quality, playability, sound versatility, strengths, weaknesses, and value as an electric guitar choice in today's market.

Build Quality

Fender is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, and this Telecaster model upholds that reputation. It features an alder body, which is lightweight yet dense and resonant. The modern "C"-shaped neck is also made of maple, providing stability and sustaining notes.

The hardware is durable and designed for reliable tuning and intonation. It has a six-saddle bridge and includes Fender's classic bent steel saddles for precise adjustments. The machine heads are Fender's standard vintage-style tuners with a 1:16 gear ratio for smooth tuning.

The body has a gloss polyester finish in the classic Butterscotch Blonde color. It's thinner than some guitar finishes yet seems to be durable and chips less easily. The finish allows the natural wood grain to show through attractively. Overall the materials and hardware used create a solid, well-built electric guitar.

Fender has been crafting quality guitars for decades, evolving their models over time while maintaining a consistent level of workmanship. This Telecaster upholds that tradition with its solid components and thoughtful design. While the aesthetics have a vintage style, Fender has integrated modern enhancements like the comfortable neck profile and tuners for stability.

For guitarists wanting the classic Telecaster tone and vibe, this model delivers. It produces the bright, crisp sound the Telecaster is known for. The alder body and maple neck also give it a balanced tone across frequencies. From country twang to indie rock, this guitar can handle a range of genres.

Of course, build quality is only one aspect of finding the right guitar. Those interested in a wider range of tones may prefer the Martin 11DX1E-04. This model has a solid mahogany body with a Sitka spruce top, producing a lush, resonant sound. The neck is also mahogany for smooth playability. While the craftsmanship is impeccable, the tone profile aims for more warmth and depth.

Ultimately the guitar that's best for an individual player depends on their musical needs and preferences. With Fender's classic models like the Telecaster, musicians can rely on excellent construction and timeless design. This combines with Martin's expertise in acoustic and semi-hollow electrics to provide options for guitarists exploring different styles and sounds.

Playability

The Telecaster's slim, flat neck profile is one of the most comfortable and playable necks on an electric guitar. Fender's modern "C"-shaped neck has smooth contours that fit nicely in the hand.

The neck is crafted from maple and has a satin urethane finish that allows for fast, smooth transitions up and down the neck. There are no sharp edges or sticky finish to hinder playability.

The fretwork from the rosewood fretboard is impeccable with smoothly finished fret ends. The medium jumbo frets are easy to bend without being too small for blues playing.

The Telecaster balances well on a strap and has great upper fret access thanks to the deep belly cut and contoured heel joint. Overall, the playability is fantastic.

In addition, the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus ES2 FG02016011001751084 is another highly playable electric guitar. Its compact size makes it comfortable to hold and easy to play. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast lead playing. The shorter 24.75" scale length reduces string tension, making bends easier. The narrow 1-11/16" nut width allows for quick chord changes. Overall, the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus ES2 offers outstanding playability in a travel-friendly size.

The Telecaster's basic control layout also contributes to playability. Having just one volume and one tone knob reduces distractions and keeps the focus on playing. The 3-way pickup selector switch gives just enough tonal variety without getting overwhelmed with options. The Tele circuit is focused on the essence of the instrument.

Being lightweight at just under 7 pounds also aids playability. Heavy guitars can cause fatigue over long playing sessions. The Telecaster's light ash or alder body helps reduce shoulder and back strain. This allows the player to enjoy longer practices and gigs.

The Telecaster's 25.5" scale length provides great balance between playability and intonation. Shorter scales are easier to play but have limited sustain and poorer intonation on the low strings. Longer scales have better intonation but increased string tension and are harder to bend. The Tele's 25.5" scale hits the sweet spot right in the middle.

In summary, with its comfortable neck shape, smooth finish, impeccable fretwork, lightweight body, and optimized scale length, the Fender Telecaster is one of the most playable electric guitars ever made. It allows the guitarist to focus on making great music without being hindered by the instrument itself.

Sound Quality

The Telecaster Special offers fantastic, classic Telecaster tone thanks to its quality tonewoods and pickups. The solid alder body produces a balanced, warm sound with nice sustain and resonance.

The two single-coil pickups provide that signature "twang" associated with Telecasters - crystal clear highs and tight low mids that cut through a mix nicely. The lead pickup has plenty of bite for solos while the neck pickup delivers smooth warmth for rhythm playing.

Overall the guitar has that vintage Fender sound - bright, articulate and versatile. The pickups and alder body combine to deliver the quintessential Tele tone that works great for country, blues, rock, indie and more. From crisp clean tones to growling overdrive, this Telecaster can handle it all.

Some may want hotter pickups, but the vintage-style single-coils capture the classic Telecaster sound authentically. For great Tele tone right out of the box, the Special delivers.

Versatility

The Fender Telecaster Left Handed has incredible sonic versatility thanks to its classic single-coil pickups. The bridge pickup delivers that bright, twangy tone that Telecasters are famous for - perfect for country, rockabilly, blues, funk, and indie rock. The neck pickup has a smoother, warmer sound that's great for mellower genres like jazz, R&B, soul, and pop.

Combining both pickups opens up even more tonal possibilities. You can go from sparkly cleans to raw, gritty overdrive. The Telecaster is an extremely flexible guitar that can handle everything from chicken pickin' country to searing classic rock leads. The simple controls and bolt-on neck make it easy to customize and modify over time as well. Overall, this iconic instrument excels at a diverse range of musical genres and techniques.

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable to play due to the contoured body shape and thin profile neck
• Classic Fender tone with clear, bright treble and tight bass
• Versatile single coil pickups can produce a wide range of tones from sparkling cleans to growling overdrive
• Easy to play neck has smooth finish and narrow string spacing
• Quality hardware includes sealed tuning machines, adjustable bridge and smooth tremolo
• Left handed model available, which can be hard to find for quality guitars
• Great value for a Made in Mexico Fender

Cons

Fender's Telecaster Left Handed Electric Guitar does have some drawbacks to consider:

• The bridge pickup can sound thin and harsh at times, lacking warmth and low-end frequencies compared to the neck pickup. This makes the bridge pickup less ideal for certain genres like blues or jazz.

• The rough, unfinished feel of the back of the neck may irritate some players' hands during long practice or playing sessions. It lacks the smooth, finished feel of other guitar necks.

• The basic control layout with just one volume and one tone knob limits the ability to blend the pickups and fine-tune your tone. It lacks the tonal versatility of guitars with more advanced controls.

• The fixed bridge limits your ability to fine-tune the intonation across the neck. Other bridge types like tune-o-matic allow more adjustable intonation.

• The butterscotch blonde finish and vintage styling may seem a bit dull or less modern compared to guitars with more eye-catching finishes and shapes. The aesthetics are a matter of personal taste.

Alternatives

When shopping for an electric guitar like the Fender Telecaster, you may want to consider some comparable alternatives:

Gibson Les Paul

The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most iconic electric guitars ever made. Like the Telecaster, Les Paul models have a solid body, but they have a thicker, heavier tone perfect for rock and blues. The dual humbucker pickups give a thicker, warmer sound compared to the Telecaster's single-coil pickups. Les Pauls do tend to be more expensive than Telecasters though.

Ibanez RG

For shredders and metal guitarists, an Ibanez RG could be a good alternative. These guitars have fast, thin necks ideal for lightning quick solos and riffs. The slim, ergonomic body shape is comfortable for long practice sessions. Ibanez uses its own high-output pickups to deliver loads of distortion and sustain. The main downside is that RGs do not have the classic vibe or sound of a Fender.

PRS S2 Series

The PRS S2 Series offers a middle ground between the traditional Telecaster and modern shred guitars. Models like the S2 Mira have an offset double cutaway body shape paired with dual humbuckers for versitility. The PRS S2 has excellent fit and finish but costs a bit more than a Mexican-made Fender.

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster

For those on a tight budget, check out the Squier by Fender Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster. This value-priced model seeks to recreate the feel and tone of a 1950s era Telecaster. With quality construction and hardware, the Squier gives you the basic Tele experience at a fraction of a real Fender's cost. The main limitation is that you do get what you pay for.

VALUE

The Fender Telecaster Left-Hand guitar provides solid value, especially for left-handed players looking for an affordable entry into the world of Fender guitars. Though not the cheapest model, it delivers professional sound and playability at a reasonable price point.

For lefties, the options are far more limited, so finding a quality Telecaster model at this price range is a great value. Right-handed players have many more affordable options, so the value proposition is a bit less clear.

Overall, the Fender Telecaster Left-Hand guitar is a good entry-level model for aspiring left-handed guitarists. While not the cheapest Telecaster available, it provides a noticeable step up in build quality, tone, and playability from cheaper beginner guitars. For lefties seeking that classic Telecaster sound and feel without breaking the bank, it's definitely worth considering.

More advanced players may want to keep looking and invest more for American-made Fender models. But for an accessible left-handed Telecaster with authentic Fender craftsmanship and sound, this guitar provides good value.

Summary

The Fender Telecaster is an iconic electric guitar with over 70 years of history behind it. As this review has shown, it remains a versatile, quality instrument that can handle a wide range of musical genres.

The Telecaster showcases Fender's expertise in guitar building, with a solid body made of premium ash coupled with high quality hardware. It's comfortable to play thanks to the thin, contoured body and the fast maple neck. The traditional Tele bridge pickup delivers the characteristic bright, twangy tone that many players love.

Overall, the Fender Telecaster is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for great playability, build quality, and classic Fender tone. It's proven itself on stages and in studios for decades. While not as flashy looking as some modern guitars, its simple, functional design hides sophisticated craftsmanship.

For players wanting something a bit more modern, guitars like the PRS Silver Sky or Gibson Les Paul offer useful alternatives. However, nothing quite matches the Telecaster for its history, sound, reliability, and comfortable playing feel. This is a guitar that belongs in every serious musician's collection.