Fender Acoustasonic While the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster doesnt really hold up as an unplugged guitar and some may be put off by its eye-catching appearance, its undoubtedly an incredibly unique and well-built musical tool versatile enough to be your go-to studio or stage axe. Theres very little mud and the coil-split tones are nice and janglyalthough, as with many split humbuckers, theyre a little on the thin side without a booster or compressor engaged. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. , Fender will also support the launch with another installment of its Versatile by Design series, exploring the design, construction and operations of the brand new Acoustasonic guitar facility built in Ensenada, Mexico. To explore the range of Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecasters tonal capabilities, I used a combination of heavy chord strumming with a pick, picked single-note lines, and fingerpicking. Acoustic Guitars From its true hybrid nature to its many shape-shifting forms (studio tool, stage-ready performer, songwriting partner and beyond), this guitar feels equally at home in the hands of enigmatic songwriters like Lucy Dacus and Conan Gray as it does on the experimental pop anthems of Self Esteem and the dance-floor disco of SG Lewis. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is a true sonic shape-shifter, emulating the artists who play it. In a new serialized content series, Re-Creation Remixed, Conan Gray, Jordan Mackampa, Jesse Rutherford, Faye Webster,and more will perform songs that inspired their careers while utilizing the technology of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. The American Acoustasonic Telecaster embodies the spirit of purposeful innovation that Fender was built on. The Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster isnt a traditional acoustic or electric guitar, but thats exactly why it might be desirable to some players. This item is currently OUT OF STOCK and ON ORDER from our supplier. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by or of them. A simplified feature set consisting of a 3-way Voice Selector and a powerful Blend Knob, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster (APT) is our most streamlined Acoustasonic model yet. Compared to the rather toothless sound of the instrument when unplugged, this mode offered a harmonically rich and full acoustic guitar sound with dead-on emulations of each body type. Then again, the Meteoras body is bigger than, say, a Stratocaster, which adds a bit to the weight. The not-too-hot humbuckers sound clear and open and generate relatively little amp breakup at modest volumes, which Id say is a good thing, as it enables a wider range of touch sensitivity than high-gain humbuckers usually allow. Body profile and humbuckers aside, the Meteora is very much a Fender, with a bolt-on neck, 25.5" scale length, and that iconic headstock profile with spaghetti logo. Click here for more about our local Click & Collect Service. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Lore Reverse Soundscape Generator from Walrus Audio. Working musicians looking to streamline their workflow and eliminate the hassle of traveling with two instruments will also appreciate the guitars ability to deliver authentic acoustic and electric guitar tones with a responsive, fun-to-play feel. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender. The Les Paul with a Backup Output Jack? Visually, the guitar features the same off-the-wall combination of organic delicacy and retrofuturist shapes for which the Acoustasonic line is known, while its electronics have been pared down to the bare essentials to make for a more straightforward playing experience. Keep that in mind before you turn your back on it. This combination of design features allows the guitar to project and resonate with a similar level of definition and clarity to a traditional acoustic guitar, even when its not plugged in, in spite of having a much smaller body. The Mexico-built Player Plus Meteora HH comes in three finishescosmic jade, Belair blue, or silverburst (as seen on our review sample)all of which help the guitar cut a dashing figure on stage.The body is made from solid alder, a go-to Fender tonewood since the late 50s. For additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. , The isolated sound of the piezo pickup results in an almost clinical guitar tone that brings a lot of incidental finger and string noise to the forefront, which I can see having a lot of interesting creative applications, particularly when used with effects. The sharply sloped lower bout, however, makes it tricky to lean against an amp safely. The new building sits on its own parcel in Ensenada, Mexico, adjacent to Fender's long-standing Mexico factory which has been building Fender guitars for 35 years. In dreadnought mode, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster was absolutely booming and full of sustain, while the small-body mode gave a snappier, almost brassy quality to the guitars amplified sound. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. These acoustic and electric voices can be played solo, or blended via the Mod Knob to create new sounds. Forearm and ribcage contours enhance playing comfort significantly, and the guitar balances surprisingly well on the lap (almost certainly one of Hursts design mandates). , FENDER (standard and in stylized form) TELECASTER and ACOUSTASONIC are trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and/or its affiliates, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Powerful enough to forge brand new genres with Danny Felix and nuanced enough to accompany the contemplative folk of Faye Webster. Julian Vittorio Born out of a constant drive to innovate, the well-received Acoustasonic platform required building an entire new factory from the ground up to make this new extension of the series platform. For the microphone tests, I used a Barbaric Amplification BA49C condenser on the guitars body combined with a Royer 121 ribbon mic on the neck and recorded straight into Apple Logic Pro X via a Universal Audio Apollo x8 interface. The single-action truss rod can be adjusted at the headstock, which is home to Fenders deluxe sealed locking tuners and a modern roller string tree for the first and second stringsall of which means you can use the two-post synchronized tremolo with a little more peace of mind. Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights. As the latest addition to the line, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster embodies the spirit of ambitious innovation that Fender was built on over 75 years ago. Episode 1 features Fender EVP of Product Justin Norvell as he talks through the streamlined, powerful features of the guitar, and the creative potential provided by each of the six voices in three pairings. But expect the Meteora to sound better balanced and crisper compared with the average PAF-equipped instrument. Lets take a look at whether the Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecasters range of sounds fits a range of players. Summer Rig Giveaway from D'Angelico, Supro, and Pigtronix! View the hero launch video of the streamlined and stage-ready Acoustasonic Player Telecasterwith a simplified 3-Way Switch and powerful Blend Knob, this shape-shifting hybrid goes from acoustic to electric with something new at every turn, HERE and demo video HERE. That all changed for Fender Musical Instruments in 2010 when the companywhich has been producing guitars since 1946introduced its line of Acoustasonic hybrid guitars, effectively blurring the line between acoustic and electric and offering an entirely unique way to produce both sounds with a single instrument. I was initially confused by this mode, having expected it to more or less reproduce the sound of a solid-body Telecaster. , The series will showcase the beauty and history of the world class craftsmanship Ensenada holds, including an interview with Melissa Dougherty and an in-depth tour from Fender's product managers on the ground in the new factory. Its hard to gauge how much effect the maple neck and alder body have on the humbucker voicings. This results in the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster delivering a very unique and versatile guitar tone while channeling the same attitude, spirit, and playability of its namesake. The Acoustasonic Telecaster is powered by the Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine proprietary blend of classic analog and future technologies that optimize the guitars natural sound, and then modify the resonance to deliver a curated collection of voices. Though the fresh body profile may be the initial draw for many, the electronicsand the possibilities they enablewill probably seal the deal for a lot of prospective customers. , The George Harrison Rocky Stratocaster features an alder body hand-painted with a replica of Harrisons famous psychedelic brushstrokes. The guitars very responsive spruce top allowed the instrument to project plenty of rhythmic punch and string attack, but its shallow body and small sound hole lacked the ability to push low and low-mid frequencies in any meaningful way. Split-coil sounds are a little on the thin side. Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster Hybrid Guitar, Natural. Guitar The new Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine allows the guitar to utilise a collection of acoustic & electric guitar tones that really push the boundaries of whats expected of fretted musical instruments. The guitar packs a wide range of clean-to-mean tones, offers easy playability, and is made super versatile by tone controls and coil-splitting options that dramatically expand its tone palette. Sign up to be the first to hear about our limited-edition collections, exclusive products and more. Tested through a Friedman Dirty Shirley Mini and 2x12, a tweed Deluxe-style 1x12 combo, and a Neural DSP Quad Cortex into the studio monitors, the Player Plus Meteora HH reveals a fairly traditional and even vintage-leaning sonic range that contrasts with its moon-shot looks. You can place an order for this item today and we will notify you of the expected delivery. In Stock Today. The pickups are wired through a 3-way toggle switch on the upper horn, with a master volume and dedicated tone controls for each pickup below. In this mode, the blend knob offers access to a DSP-enabled crunch overdrive, which users can add to taste or turn up all the way. "The expansion of the Ensenada factory has been a 26-month long journey, but one that's been completely necessary to make Acoustasonic technology available to a widespread audience of players around the world," said Ed Magee, EVP Operations at Fender. Priced at $1,199, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is the most accessible Acoustasonic guitar yet, specifically designed to reach younger demographics and make musical creativity more obtainable from live performances to studio sessions and songwriting. Ideal for the genre-blending, digital savvy player to enter the overall Acoustasonic Series, This model Is built for performers and creators. For heavy items, courier details, out of stock products, out of area postcodes or international deliveries see our full Delivery info here. It can inhabit the glam-rock rebellion of Jesse Rutherford one minute and the timeless soul of Jordan Mackampa the next. In switch position two, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster enters lo-fi mode, which gives players access to the pure, unaffected sound of the under-saddle piezo pickup. Known for pushing musical boundaries and sonic experimentation, Georges inventive hooks and groundbreaking tones helped propel the Beatles into legendary status. Fender previously released a limited number of meticulous Rocky recreations via the Fender Custom Shop in 2020, but now this release gives fans the opportunity to enjoy the sound and history behind this iconic guitar. The final and rightmost switch position engages the noiseless bridge pickup to enable the guitars traditional Telecaster sound, with the blend knob as a toggle between clean and overdriven tones. We compiled the 20 most mentioned stores and quickly realized there were too many great photos we'd have to cut in order to get them all in one gallery. This will pave the way for future growth of Fender Acoustics as we continue to push the boundaries of true sonic innovation and open the doors to new creatives in search of an affordable hybrid guitar," remarked Billy Martinez. Since then, it has headed in both upscale and affordable directions within the Fender lineupreaching the heights of master-built Custom Shop quality in the hands of Ron Thorn, and now in this much more egalitarian guise as the Player Plus Meteora HH. From acoustic shape-shifting to electric rhythm tones, thisrevolutionary guitar uses a revolutionary Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine to deliver new sonic expression from the studio to the stage. Premium construction elements like the waterfall sound hole, forearm contour, scalloped heel and recessed backplates are designed for sound, comfort and visual appeal. Every detail is captured, from the artwork on the pickguard and plastic parts to a replica decal on the back of headstock from Grimstones - the original music store where the guitar was purchased. Fender 351 Shape, Material Medley, Medium Picks, 6 Pack, Fender Deluxe Coil Instrument Cable, 30ft, Tweed, Fender Deluxe Coil Instrument Cable, 30ft, Black Tweed, Taylor Premium 351 Guitar Picks Black Onyx, 1.25mm (6-Pack), Acoustic Engine delivers ten different body style and tone wood combinations, Patent-pending Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS), Three pickup systems: Fishman Under-Saddle Transducer; Fishman Acoustasonic Enhancer; Fender Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup, Integrated forearm contour and mahogany neck. "Our dedication to expanding our Acoustasonic platform allowed us to meet this demand and, at the same time, create more accessibility. Find a retail partner near you at www.fender.com. A powerful pickup system designed in collaboration with Fishman allows players to flip seamlessly between big electric tones and iconic acoustic voicings, while the fully hollow, naturally-resonant Telecaster body offers rich acoustic warmth when unplugged. From its true hybrid nature to its many shape-shifting forms (studio tool, stage-ready performer, songwriting partner and beyond), this guitar feels equally at home in the hands of enigmatic songwriters like Lucy Dacus and Conan Gray as it does on the experimental pop anthems of Self Esteem and the dance-floor disco of SG Lewis. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Fender Acoustic Guitars The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Following in the footsteps of the original and more expensive Acoustasonic line, the all-new Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster hails from Fenders brand-new Ensenada, Mexico, factory and aims to bring the guitars versatility to a wider player base via a streamlined design that costs roughly 40% less than that of its predecessors. Lightweight stocks of this timber have been getting harder to come by in bulk, and perhaps as a result the review guitar tips a little toward the heavy side at around 8.4 pounds. The test consisted of unamplified playing with and without a microphone, as well as through a Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amplifier. HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Fender Musical Instruments Corporation(FMIC) today continued its expansion of the Acoustasonic series with the launch of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster guitar. The guitar's body feeds the Acoustic Engine with its naturally loud and resonant design. Working musicians looking for more tone with less hassle will appreciate this guitars responsive, fun-to-play feel. A powerful Fender and Fishman-designed pickup system allows you to flip seamlessly between electric and acoustic voicings, while the fully-hollow, naturally-resonant Telecaster body offers rich acoustic warmth when unplugged. A modern take on Fullerton shapes and a blend of Fender and Gibson attributes strikes a sweet middle ground. , This acoustic-electric guitar offers its own set of six voices that showcases its unique personality. If you find a like-for-like item cheaper elsewhere, simply fill in the Price Match Request form. With iconic acoustic voicings, big electric tones and one powerful blend knob, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster rises above artists demands allowing the player to go from acoustic to electric with ease in our new all-in-one guitar.". To provide the electronic element of its hybrid design, the Acoustasonic Player Telecasterwhich can partially trace its inspiration back to the first mass-produced solid-body guitars, released in 1950utilizes a pair of pickups designed in collaboration between Fender and Fishman. The guitar also features a naturally oily and easy-to-play rosewood fretboard, which is a less expensive alternative to the denser ebony wood found in the fretboard of the original American-made Acoustasonic. With a cranked amp, lead channel, or overdrive (in this case a Tsakalis Six and Wampler Tumnus Deluxe), the Meteora produces sizzling power-chord and rhythm sounds and singing lead tones with ease, with rich, articulate cleans at the ready when I backed the guitar volume down. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is a true sonic shape-shifter, emulating the artists who play it. A streamlined 3-way switch allows for shape-shifting between acoustic and electric tones. The Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster comes in a Fender F1225 gig bag and is strung up and ready to play out of the box. And while the name implies that the Fireballs are hot, the specs are similar to medium-wind alnico humbuckers, with the neck reading around 7.24k ohms DC resistance and 4.0 henries inductance, and the bridge measuring 7.68k ohms and 4.5 henries. When played as a purely unamplified acoustic instrument, I found the Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster to be modest in its volume output and not particularly well-rounded from a harmonic standpoint. A smooth-playing mahogany neck and open-pore satin finish make this cutting-edge guitar comfortable and easy to play. A recreation of George Harrison's '61 Sonic Blue Strat, hand-painted in psychedelic Day-Glo colors and affectionately named Rocky.. , the all-new Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster, Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amplifier. If you're wondering where your favorite is, it may be coming next time, or we might not be aware of it, so feel free to leave your faves in the comments section. These pickups work in concert with the guitars three-way blade switch to offer six hand-picked amplified sounds and an infinite number of combinations thereof via a blend knob. Powerful enough to forge brand new genres with Danny Felix and nuanced enough to accompany the contemplative folk of Faye Webster. ", Fender Announces New Hybrid Acoustasonic Player Telecaster, Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster Guitar Review - Premier Guitar , Fender Acoustasonic Jazzmaster Review - Premier Guitar , Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster Electric Guitar Review - Premier , Fender Acoustasonic 15 15 Watt Acoustic Guitar - Amazon.com , Helmer's How-Tos: 8 Steps to Float Your Strat Trem, Phil Collen on What Your Vibrato Says About Your Ego, First Look: Eastwood Black Box Pedal Series, GALLERY: 20 Coolest Guitar Stores in the US - Volume 1, Fender Announces the George Harrison Rocky Stratocaster, Top 10 Acoustic Guitars: Rig Rundown Best-Ofs, Mod Garage: The Alternative Brent Mason Telecaster Wiring, Fjord Fuzz Aims to Usher in a Psych RevolutionIn More Ways Than One, Way Huge Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Revamped Red Llama Overdrive MkIII, Hooked: Tamino on Soundgarden's "Limo Wreck". The new Ensenada factory, which is now 43 percent larger than Fender's Corona factory, will handle all things for "Made in Mexico" that are on the Acoustasonic Player platform. Handcrafted in Ensenada, Mexico, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster represents a new era in Fender craftsmanship and innovation designed for the next generation of musicians who want an inspiring instrument with a diverse set of sounds at an accessible price. With a simplified set of features consisting of a 3-way Voice Selector and one powerful Blend Knob, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is Fender's most streamlined hybrid model yet. To prove it, Fender assembled a diverse and dynamic line-up of artists to showcase everything the guitar has to offer. Acoustasonic Player Telecaster carries a suggested retail price of $1,199.99. Dont worry, weve got youIn Stock items can be ordered and paid for in-advance Online via our Click & Collect service. The neck is carved in Fenders popular Modern C profile, which feels great in hand, and the overall ergonomics are aided by a nicely rolled fretboard edge. New colors like Butterscotch Blonde, Shadow Burst and Arctic White plus more neutral tones like Brushed Black. Players in love with unconventional looks who enjoy a twist on traditional PAF-style sounds will find a lot to like in the Player Plus Meteora HH. Fenders latest hybrid acoustic-electric guitar delivers the spirited versatility of its predecessors in a more affordable, streamlined package. As I continued to play, I realized that what the guitar actually does is a bit more special than that: the pickup delivers all of the twang, spank, and responsiveness of a classic Telecasterthink Start Me Up by the Rolling Stoneswhile the hollow body and acoustic hardware provide a subtle warmth and resonance thats normally absent from its solid-body counterpart. The first thing I noticed was just how light the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster felt in my handsit weighs just shy of 5 poundsand, upon sitting down with it, I felt a bit of a downward pull on the left side of the guitar due to the weight differential between the body and the neck. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro audio gear and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. Ideal For The Genre-Blending, Digital Savvy Player To Enter The Overall Acoustasonic Series, This Model Is Built for Performers and Creators. Even closer examination reveals an impressive array of features that make it an extra-impressive instrument for the price, and a cool alternative to traditional Fender offerings. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. To prove it, Fender assembled a diverse and dynamic line-up of artists to showcase everything the guitar has to offer. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. All other product and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Features 3 unique voice pairs for a total of 6 "best-of" acoustic and electric voicings that can be played solo or blended to create all-new sounds. So here's the first installment in no particular order. "Through the success of our American Acoustasonic series, we saw that the modern musician demands flexibility and efficiency in their creative pursuits," said Billy Martinez, Fender VP Category Manager, Acoustic and Squier Division. I really liked the quality of this overdrive, which obscured and compressed the signal in a very smooth and musical way reminiscent of tape saturation. At its foundation, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is built just like a standard acoustic guitar: it has a mahogany body and neck with a braced spruce top, its hollow, and it features a traditional acoustic-style bridge. Published Jul 20, 2022 12:00 PM. We know you want to get your gear as quickly and as safely as possible, Next Working Day Delivery to UK Mainland Addresses, on all IN STOCK items, if ordered before 3pm.This will include a text or email on the day of delivery giving you an exact hour window of when your gear will be with you, and the drivers name - just so you know when to turn the volume down! Be sure to place it on the stand carefully! For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. In this position, the guitars amplified sound emulates that of a traditional spruce and mahogany acoustic guitar like the Martin D-18, with the blend knob providing a gradient between the sound of a large dreadnought guitar and a small-body parlor acoustic. Fender Telecasters After testing the guitars unpowered sound, I switched on my amp and began my cycle through the six preset sounds with the three-way blade in position one. Its not particularly uncommon to experience neck dive with guitars, but I think that, in this case, the effect was pronounced due to the guitars small hollow body and its solid wood neck. And while long-gone favorites like Manny's Music (New York) and Black Market Music (San Francisco) came up again and again, there were even more current shops topping readers' favorites list. In 2021, Fender celebrates 75 years of giving artists "wings to fly," carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.