Fender Modern Player Telecaster guitar review

Susan Fernandez June 06 2022

When we think of Telecasters, we usually think of country music. But the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is anything but twangy. This guitar is perfect for those who want to rock out without breaking the bank. The Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great guitar for beginners and experienced players alike. Let`s take a look at what makes this guitar so special.

Are Fender guitars good?

Fender is one of the most popular guitar brands in the world. They have been making quality guitars for over 70 years. Many famous musicians have played Fender guitars, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison.

Musicians usually think of Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters when they think of Fender guitars. But the Modern Player Telecaster is a bit different. It`s a more affordable guitar that still has the quality that Fender is known for.

The Telecaster is Fender's oldest commercial solid-body electric guitar model. Its bright and metallic tone has been a hit in jazz, blues, country, funk, reggae, rock, and pop music. We can always discover someone who has inspired us with a Telecaster guitar, whether it's Syd Barret of Pink Floyd or the mellow sound of John Mayer or Kaleo's new-wave rocker sound.

Fender Modern Player Telecaster review

If you thank about buying a Telecaster, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great option. It has all the classic features of a Telecaster, such as the single-coil pickups and maple neck, but it also has some modern touches, such as a humbucker pickup in the bridge position.

The Modern Player Telecaster is a reimagining of Fender's classic '50s design, with up-to-date features to create a distinct blend of old and new guitar technology and aesthetics. However, this is unquestionably a Fender instrument in every way, except for appearance. It's a great choice for those who want the classic Telecaster sound without the vintage price tag.

In general, the style of the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is similar to a classic Telecaster. It has two single-coil pickups, a maple neck, and a pickguard. However, there are some important differences. First, the body is made of basswood instead of ash. Second, the bridge pickup is a humbucker instead of a single-coil. This gives the guitar more power and sustain. Third, the neck has 22 frets instead of 21. This gives you more room to play lead parts and solos.

These are just a few details, now it`s time to read more about Fender Modern Player Telecaster.

Design and shape

Let's begin with the fact that this is a 25.5' scale guitar, which means it's a long-scale instrument. In theory, long-scale guitars produce the loudest and most powerful music. However, keep in mind the size of the instrument because it is not ideal for children or little players. The body shape of the Telecaster is, of course, the traditional double-cutaway. It has a sleek and comfortable contour that allows easy access to all 22 frets. The top is flat, while the back has a slight belly contour.

The guitar's dimensions are 40.9" x 15.7" x 2.2". It weighs 7.8 pounds, which is on the heavier side for a guitar but not too bad. The body is made of basswood, which is a lightweight wood with a soft tone. The maple neck has a C-shaped profile and a glossy finish. The fingerboard is rosewood with dot inlays and 22 medium-jumbo frets.

The first Leos were constructed of pinewood, which is no longer a popular choice. It's unclear why Feder switched from pine to other premium woods like ash or alder. Pine, on the other hand, is fine: it has a lot of warmth and definition while still being light and easy to manage.

The tone of pine used for guitars is very important. A guitar's tone is a combination of the wood used for the body, the wood used for the neck, and the type of pickups. The Fender Modern Player Telecaster has two single-coil pickups. These are classic Telecaster pickups that have been used on many different models over the years. They are known for their twangy sound with lots of highs and mids but not much low end.

Overall, the body of the guitar is well-constructed and looks great. The finish is glossy and the contours are smooth. The only downside is that the body is made of basswood, which is not as durable as other woods like ash or alder.

Pickups and neck

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster has two single-coil pickups, a neck pickup, and a bridge pickup. The neck pickup is a vintage-style Telecaster pickup. It's clear and bright with lots of highs and mids but not much low end. The bridge pickup is also a vintage-style Telecaster pickup. It's slightly hotter than the neck pickup, so it has more output. However, it still has that classic Tele twang.

The guitar also has a five-way switch, which allows you to choose between the neck and bridge pickups or both at the same time. The middle position is interesting because it gives you both pickups in parallel, which gives you a unique sound.

The neck is finished in a glossy polyester paint that makes the guitar feel extremely smooth. Maple boards have also been proven to increase note clarity and brightness. Moving on to the other side of the guitar, we encounter a one-piece 9.5’' radius maple neck that has 22 jumbo frets and is encased in a one-piece black Transparent Sound 2CTB100G1 model. We must also mention that this is a daring design, which isn't very popular.

Pickups are important, but the neck is just as important. The Fender Modern Player Telecaster has a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. This combination gives the guitar a bright and articulate sound. The maple also adds some sustain to the sound.

Strings and tailpiece

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster comes with a set of standard strings. The gauge is .009-.042'. The strings are made of nickel-plated steel, which gives them a bright and articulate sound. The guitar also has a vintage-style string-through-body bridge with six saddles. This design is very stable and gives the strings more tension. It also allows for easy intonation adjustments.

The tailpiece is also interesting because it's a bit longer than usual. This gives the guitar more sustain and makes it easier to play power chords. The only downside to this design is that the strings are harder to change. However, if you don't mind changing your strings less often, then this shouldn't be a problem.

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a well-crafted guitar that looks and sounds great. The only downside is that the body is made of basswood, which is not as durable as other woods like ash or alder. However, if you're looking for a great sounding and playing guitar, the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great choice.

What about the hardware?

The Telecaster's "Ashtray" bridge is instantly recognizable to almost all guitarists. However, the Tele introduces a more recent Stratocaster bridge instead of the classic three-barrel design. The Stratocaster bridge features six saddles rather than three on the Ashtray model, allowing for one piece for each string. It provides greater tuning accuracy, flexibility, and string action precision.

Fender Modern Player Telecaster has a bridge that is both comfortable and stylish. The volume and tone controls on the Telecaster are easy to reach and provide a wide range of sonic possibilities. The three-way selector switch is also conveniently located for quick and easy access.

The contemporary Strat bridge, on the other hand, is a String-thru-the-Body design. This means the bridge has more sustain and tension, providing for a more subtle "Tele Twang" in the guitar. The Vintage Modified Telecaster has a classic three-barrel bridge, providing for more twangy tones.

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster also features two MP-90 pickups. These are single-coil pickups that offer a wide range of tones. The neck pickup is warm and clear, while the bridge pickup is bright and twangy. The two pickups can be used together or separately, giving the player a wide range of sonic options.

Playability of the guitar

The Modern Player Tele's playability is why we suggest it as a fantastic guitar for beginners, even though it has big frets and a long-scale body. The bolt-on neck features a pleasant C-shape profile. The C-shape is so popular because it is carved to fit the human hand. Greater comfort and easier playability are the results. Fenders are well-known for their excellent playability, and the Modern Player Tele is no exception. The body is contoured for comfort, and the neck has a silky-smooth finish that makes it easy to move up and down the fretboard.

The headstock has a classic Telecaster design with "Fender" and "Modern Player" logos. The guitar also has chrome hardware and die-cast tuners. The Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great guitar for beginners because it is easy to play and has a great sound. It is also a good choice for intermediate and advanced players who are looking for a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres.

Because the neck is thickest at the headstock, beginning guitarists can develop their chords-playing muscles while still having adequate room to play complex figures. Otherwise, learning fundamental chords may be difficult because the gap between the strings seems too small. With such a headstock, the Telecaster is an excellent guitar to learn on.

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster also has a great tone. The MP-90 pickups offer a wide range of tones, from warm and clear to bright and twangy. The three-way selector switch allows you to choose between the neck pickup, the bridge pickup, or both. This gives you a wide range of sonic possibilities. The only downside to the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is that it is not as durable as other guitars. The body is made of basswood, which is not as strong as other woods like ash or alder. However, if you're looking for a great sounding and playing guitar, the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great choice.

Sound quality

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster has a great sound. The MP-90 pickups offer a wide range of tones, from warm and clear to bright and twangy. The three-way selector switch allows you to choose between the neck pickup, the bridge pickup, or both. This gives you a wide range of sonic possibilities.

The only downside to the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is that it is not as durable as other guitars. The body is made of basswood, which is not as strong as other woods like ash or alder. However, if you're looking for a great sounding and playing guitar, the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great choice. A further feature of this guitar is its mini-toggle coil-split control, which extends the sounds available on it. This switch allows you to choose whether to activate both humbucker coils or just one. With its 5-way selector and a wide range of tones accessible, you'll appreciate why this guitar has the Modern name.

Is Fender Modern Player Telecaster for beginners or pros?

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great guitar for beginners because it is easy to play and has a great sound. It is also a good choice for intermediate and advanced players who are looking for a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres. As a beginner, you'll enjoy the comfort of the C-shaped neck and the easy playability of the contoured body. The headstock has a classic Telecaster design with "Fender" and "Modern Player" logos. The guitar also has chrome hardware and die-cast tuners.

Because the neck is thickest at the headstock, beginning guitarists can develop their chords-playing muscles while still having adequate room to play complex figures. Otherwise, learning fundamental chords may be difficult because the gap between the strings seems too small. With such a headstock, the Telecaster is an excellent guitar to learn on.

Professionals will enjoy the versatility of the Fender Modern Player Telecaster. The three-way selector switch allows you to choose between the neck pickup, the bridge pickup, or both. This gives you a wide range of sonic possibilities. The mini-toggle coil-split control extends the sounds available even further. The only downside to the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is that it is not as durable as other guitars. The body is made of basswood, which is not as strong as other woods like ash or alder. However, if you're looking for a great sounding and playing guitar, the Fender Modern Player Telecaster is a great choice.