Fender 50 th anniversary Deluxe Telecaster - Black & Gold Double Bound
Pros:
-tone monster.
-uncommonly ornate for a Telecaster
-nice woods and perfect construction
-more individual than another '52 Reissue
Released as an unusually ornate 50th anniversary piece, it uses the traditional maple neck with alder body, bolt-neck construction that Fender has been using for ages. It has a rosewood fretboard with fairly plain inlays, and the headstock is painted black with gold Fender Telecaster lettering under a thick clearcoat. The neck finish is the "vintage yellow" type where they put yellow dye in th elaquer to give it an "aged" appearance. Plays slicker than grease. Look closely in the picture and you'll notice that the guitar has gold hardware, is double bound in an uncommon gunmetal-colored pearloid, and has a matching gunmetal pearloid pickguard. The finish has many coats of clearcoat that give it a mirror-like, deep-looking finish when glossed up. Of course, appearances are secondary to sound. And that's where this axe shines the best. Of all my guitarist friends who have played it, all have agreed that it is the best playing and nicest sounding one they've ever laid their hands on. The pickups are overwound to have a thicker, more P90-like sound that gives it a great tone for blues and classic rock. Surprisingly, this thing is also great for metal; it just does it all. Clean, it has a nice Telecaster sound to it that's just a bit thicker, that makes it usable as a jazz lead instrument. I will say that Telecasters are not the most comfortable things ever and this is no exception. No body cuts to make it ergonomic, and a single cutaway and a somewhat intrusive heel. But it is by no means uncomfortable, and once you get your hands around it you become one with it. Play it and you'll understand why it is that gutiarists have loved the Telecaster for the past 50+ years.