Fender 145233500 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Player Telecaster is an iconic electric guitar model that has been around since the early 1950s. This classic design is known for its bright, crisp tone and smooth playability. Fender's Player series offers their most affordable Mexican-made Telecasters, providing players great value for a genuine Fender instrument.

This Telecaster features an alder body with a gloss polyester finish and a "C"-shaped maple neck with laurel fingerboard. It comes equipped with two Player Series Tele single-coil pickups, master volume and tone controls, and a 3-saddle string-through-body bridge. Available in several vibrant colors, the Fender Player Telecaster combines traditional Tele design with modern appointments.

This review will take a close look at the build quality, hardware, sound, and playability of the Fender Player Telecaster. We'll examine the guitar's physical features, craftsmanship, and tonal characteristics. Pros and cons of this model will also be discussed to help determine if this affordable Tele is a good fit for your playing needs.

Physical Features

The Fender Player Telecaster electric guitar comes with an alder body and maple neck for balanced tone and smooth playability.

Body Shape and Finish Options

The Tele body shape is contoured for comfort but still lightweight and resonant. It is available in a range of eye-catching finish options including 3-Color Sunburst, Black, Buttercream, Polar White, and more. The gloss polyurethane finish accentuates the natural beauty of the wood grain.

Fretboard Wood and Radius

The fretboard is made of maple which contributes to the Tele's signature snap and attack. It has a modern 9.5” fingerboard radius which makes playing chords and soloing across the entire width very comfortable.

Pickups and Electronics

The Telecaster is equipped with Player Series Alnico V single-coil pickups that deliver crisp articulation and balanced tone. It has a traditional 3-way pickup selector switch along with master volume and tone knobs for dialing in your sound. The Fender Player Telecaster offers great playability and classic Fender tone in an affordable package. The alder body and maple neck provide a balanced, resonant tone. The modern fingerboard radius makes chording and soloing comfortable. The Alnico V pickups have crisp highs and tight low end. With its iconic body shape and wide range of finishes, the Player Tele is a versatile guitar suitable for country, blues, rock, and more. If you're looking for an authentic Fender experience without breaking the bank, be sure to check out the Fender Player Series Telecaster. It delivers the quintessential Tele design and sound at a price working musicians can afford.

Sound Profile

The Fender Player Telecaster produces the bright, cutting tone that Telecasters are known for. The alnico V single-coil pickups provide clarity and articulation, with a twangy character that excels in rock, blues, country, and indie music.

The bridge pickup has plenty of bite for lead lines and solos. The neck pickup smooths out the tone a bit for mellower rhythms or cleaner passages. With the 3-way pickup selector switch, you can blend the pickups to craft a range of usable tones.

Overall, the Fender Player Telecaster is tonally versatile. While it excels at sparkling clean tones, you can push the amp into overdrive for crunch and distortion. The signature Tele tone remains consistent, with enhanced bite and grit when driven hard. This tonal flexibility suits the needs of various musical genres and playing styles.

The bright and crisp tone of the Fender Player Telecaster is great for cutting through the mix in live performances. Many famous guitarists have relied on the Tele tone over the years, including Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer, and Jonny Greenwood. It's a versatile guitar that can handle country twang, bluesy leads, punk aggression or indie jangle.

For players looking for a more affordable Fender option with great Tele tone, the Fender CD-60S is an excellent choice. This guitar features a solid mahogany top, mahogany back and sides, and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck. It has two single-coil pickups for authentic Fender tone. The chrome hardware and smooth satin urethane finish give it a classic look and feel.

With its warm, balanced sound, the CD-60S works well for blues, rock, country, folk, and pop. The pickups have plenty of twang and bite when needed, but also a smooth voice for mellow chording. It handles gain very well, staying articulate when overdriven. The playability makes it great for beginning players too. Overall, the Fender CD-60S punches above its weight class in terms of tone and versatility.

Playability

The Fender Player Telecaster features a comfortable contoured body shape that fits nicely against your torso when playing seated. It utilizes Fender's modern "C"-shaped neck profile, providing a slim and fast feel that facilitates quick chord changes and licks up and down the neck.

The maple neck has a satin finish that feels smooth and inviting to the hand. The fretboard radius measures 9.5 inches, allowing for low, fast action and easy string bending. The medium jumbo frets further enhance playability, with tall, narrow fretwire that gives your fingers plenty of room to maneuver between notes.

Overall, the Tele's smooth neck, contoured body, and medium jumbo frets make this an extremely playable and comfortable guitar suitable for long practice sessions or gigs. The modern specs allow for fast, flexible playing while still retaining the familiar Telecaster feel.

Hardware

The Player Telecaster features quality hardware that enhances the guitar's sound, tuning stability, and feel.

Strings

The guitar comes installed with Fender 250L nickel-plated steel strings. These provide bright, punchy tone with crisp highs and tight lows. The light gauge (.010-.046) allows for easy bending and comfortable playability.

Bridge

A vintage-style 6-saddle Telecaster bridge provides solid intonation across all strings. The steel saddles add density to the tone. This bridge design is simple yet effective for great tuning stability.

Tuners

Die-cast tuning machines with vintage-look buttons keep the guitar in tune well. The tuning ratio is 18:1 for precision tuning that stays locked in. These sealed tuners are smooth and reliable.

Craftsmanship

The Fender Player Telecaster electric guitar features excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail that players have come to expect from Fender.

The fit and finish on this model is very good, especially considering its relatively affordable price point. The body edges are smooth and cleanly finished. The neck joint and fret ends are smoothly finished for a comfortable feel.

Hardware pieces like the bridge, tuners, pickup selector switch, and volume/tone knobs feel solid and sturdy. The knobs turn smoothly, and the 5-way pickup selector switch has a quality feel.

In terms of durability, the Fender Player Tele is built to go the distance. The solid alder or ash body and maple neck are durable tonewoods that can stand up to years of playing. The modern polyester finish is thin but protective. Overall the guitar feels solid and able to endure regular use by guitarists.

Many reviewers praise the consistency of Fender's craftsmanship, noting that multiple examples of the same model are very comparable in terms of feel and quality. This attention to detail makes the Fender Player series very appealing for intermediate players.

Value

The Fender Player Telecaster offers tremendous value, with a price to performance ratio that punches far above its weight class. Though not the cheapest model in Fender's lineup, it provides professional sound, feel, and versatility at an extremely reasonable price point.

For guitarists on a budget or buying their first "real" electric guitar, the Player Tele hits a sweet spot between cost and quality. It utilizes many of the same materials and components as American-made Fenders, albeit with some concessions to keep costs down. This allows it to compete sonically with guitars double or even triple its price.

Seasoned musicians will also find excellent value in the Player Tele as a high-quality beater guitar for practice, travel or experimentation. Its durable construction can handle heavy use and transport without babying. For home recording, the Tele's bright, articulate tone cuts through a mix beautifully.

Considering its stellar fit and finish, upgraded pickups and hardware from earlier models, and authentic Fender vibe, the Player Telecaster offers far more than its accessible price would suggest. While not an exact replica of a vintage instrument, it captures nearly all the soul at a fraction of the cost. For guitarists wanting authentic Fender tone without breaking the bank, the Player Tele is an unbeatable value.

Alternatives

The Fender Player Telecaster competes in the mid-priced electric guitar market against several comparable models such as:

• Gibson Les Paul Studio - This is another classic guitar design by Gibson that offers a mahogany body with a maple top for increased sustain and warmth. The Les Paul Studio provides a thicker, heavier tone compared to the brighter Tele tone.

• PRS SE Standard - PRS offers their affordable SE line of guitars that provide excellent quality and playability for the price. The PRS SE Standard features a mahogany back with maple top for balanced tone across the frequency range.

• Squier Classic Vibe - Squier by Fender produces their well-regarded Classic Vibe series that provides vintage looks and feel at an accessible price point. The Classic Vibe Telecaster competes directly as an affordable alternative.

• Gretsch Streamliner - For players looking for something more stylish, the Gretsch Streamliner series provides solid-body and semi-hollow body designs combined with retro aesthetics and chimey tone.

• Epiphone Les Paul - From the Gibson subsidiary Epiphone comes an affordable take on the Les Paul, offering a similar dual humbucker platform in a high quality package for the price.

The Fender Player Telecaster holds up well against these competitors, providing an excellent balance of playability, build quality and versatile tone at this moderate price point. Players looking for the signature Tele twang and feel get an authentic experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic Fender Tele design and aesthetics
• Great fit and finish for the price
• Versatile pickups give a range of tones
• Quality hardware that stays in tune
• Comfortable C-shaped maple neck
• Easy playability for various styles
• Good value compared to other Telecasters

Cons

• Pickups could have more character for some players
• Controls are basic compared to pricier models
• Gig bag, not hardshell case included
• Not made in the USA like premium Fenders
• Quality control issues reported in some units
• Bridge pickup proximity to bridge can make strings bright

Conclusion

Overall, the Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for that classic Telecaster tone and feel. Its modern "C"-shaped neck profile and medium jumbo frets make it very comfortable and playable, while the alnico V single-coil pickups provide the crisp, articulate tone Telecasters are known for.

The guitar feels solidly built, with attention to small details like the vintage-style tuners and knurled flat-top knobs. While the hardware and electronics are basic, they get the job done well for this price range. The finish options offer attractive, classic looks perfect for a variety of music styles.

For players wanting a more affordable made-in-Mexico Fender Telecaster, the Player Series delivers the best bang for your buck. It provides close to American-made quality, playability and tone at a price that more guitarists can afford. Overall, it's an excellent electric guitar that captures the spirit and vibe of the Telecaster. It's ideal for country, blues, rock and more.