Share your email to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world. 7WGa"= `jc>i+f") Please refresh the page and try again. Three-band EQs on both offer surgical tone shaping at your fingertips, making either of these a stage-worthy choice in coffeehouses and intimate venues. Firstly, the bridge and fretboard are rosewood rather than ebony, which for our money is an improvement in aesthetic terms; and secondly, power comes not from a USB-rechargeable cell but from an old-school PP3 battery. The newest addition to the Acoustasonic series is the Acoustasonic Player, offering the same professional-quality performance in a streamlined and budget-friendly A/E guitar. That, in sum, is the sort of thing the Acoustasonic format encourages. You'll find a total of six voicings you can play either by themselves or merged to create fresh sounds. First, though, lets run through the Acoustasonic fundamentals for the benefit of anyone who couldnt afford to be interested until now. To some players, a set of 11s on an electric guitar will make string bends seem like Olympic judo, but on this Acoustasonic hybrid format, it seems like a happy medium. And as with previous Acoustasonics, thats matched by a perky unplugged tone thats inevitably lacking in low-end power and warmth but has a raw, boxy charm of its own. Whats more, only one of those pairs offers proper acoustic tones, the other two being dedicated to lo-fi and electric options respectively. Now with all this tech, its easy to overlook just how revolutionary the physical design. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, That said, it can be pressed into service of many different kinds of styles, perhaps some that are all your own. B9>8(TfY0md&-Y4E# Thats when it has to be more financially accessible. JN: We actually create guitars at all price points from our Squier beginner ranges and entry-level Fender electrics such as the Player Series, right up to the tailor-made Masterbuilt creations in the Fender Custom Shop. You might think that looks like sheer laziness on Fenders part, but on the Jazzmaster it offers results that are, well, intriguingly unconventional. While the model looks similar with its fully hollow Telecaster body, forearm contour and scalloped heel, the Acoustasonics electronics have been streamlined somewhat for the Player edition. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. But the recent uptake in demand for musical instruments spurred on by idle thumbs and fingers twiddling during lockdown has seen record sales across the industry, with Fender reportedly having its best ever year since its inception in 1946. Martin SC-13E (opens in new tab) There was a problem. Thank you for signing up to The Pick. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Once you get past the radicalism of the design, the SC-13E may overwhelm you with its lightning quick playability and stage-ready electronics. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. First of all, at a little over 2kg its practically not there at all weve played ukuleles that pulled down more on the shoulder while the thinline body shape, complete with forearm chamfer, means it sits in the lap as snugly as any solidbody. You still get Fenders finely tuned sound port and Fishman-designed electronics, with a 3-position pickup selector instead of the standard 5-way blade to select any of the Acoustasonic Players three distinct voice pairs. Jump forward to today, and this groundbreaking series has added multiple models to its offerings, proving that this novel approach to hybrid A/E guitars is far from a flash in the pan. Justin Norvell: We keep moving forward and are always trying to make better sounding, more innovative playing instruments built for the music and culture of today. MusicRadar is supported by its audience. In position three, youll find a pair of mahogany small body short-scale and rosewood dreadnought acoustic voices. Pair this instrument with a modern effects processor, and you have a beautifully crafted all-rounder that flatters the everyday player but sounds good enough to use professionally. JN: All of the above- there are several patents and firsts with the Acoustasonic Series. Did Mike McCready just smash a $15,000 Custom Shop Strat on stage? Thankfully, there's a somewhat more accessible option. The one installed in our test guitar isnt even rechargeable, so we might just peel a sticker off Fenders eco-friendly achievements chart for that. The American Acoustasonic series is our highest-priced range of acoustic guitars but we believe its absolutely worth the investment, especially at the professional level. The same can be said, to an extent, of the electric sounds in position one. Now were using the Fender Noiseless Tele pickup but while this brings us into more familiar territory, that doesnt mean it suddenly sounds exactly like a 69 Thinline Telecaster. With an Acoustasonic acoustic-electric in tow, your favorite tones are always on hand! Maybe swapping out the crunchy options for a couple more acoustic models would have made it even more useful, but this remains an appealing six-string multi-tool and a genuine problem-solver for many gigging players. And if you want to unnatural things up, simply flip over to lo-fi mode. Total Guitar (opens in new tab). We embrace new technologies in terms of products but also the processes that help us to keep improving. The Fishman co-designed pickup helps you switch between acoustic and electric modes, and the N4 pickup promises "noiseless" electric playing. The Strat and Jazzmaster versions followed, the latter the boldest yet. 2021 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. Inevitably, this has involved sacrifices more significant than the loss of that made in USA prestige: its a simpler instrument than the original, giving you fewer modelled guitars to choose from. Our action is low but the resonance is still sweet. And so it was with the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster. Specifically, position three has mahogany small body short scale at one end of the blend dial and rosewood dreadnought at the other so as you twist the knob youre effectively making your virtual acoustic guitar bigger or smaller. While the American models each get five blendable pairs of sounds, here we only get three (dont be fooled by the Strat-style selector switch). It should do fine for that campfire singalong, as long as everyone doesnt join in. Special financing options exist if you use your Sweetwater card. Its been three years since the launch of the American Acoustasonic Tele, with Strat and Jazzmaster models following in turn. There key differences between the US and Player Series models are perhaps most tellingly in the electrics. The Acoustasonic had to go mainstream, and it there was an obvious pathway: adding it Fenders blockbuster Player Series. When it was launched in 1959, Fenders Jazzmaster was originally pitched at, unsurprisingly, Jazz musicians. The September 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now. Finally, position one is where this Telecaster uses its Telecaster pickup to emulate the sound of a Telecaster. Stated battery life is up to 22 hours. The November 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Heres why you can trust us. These range from overdriven electric through to Jumbo scale acoustics with five positions in total, each with the ability to blend two types of sound together. Once you lock down that sound you hear in your head, a convenient blend knob lets you fine-tune your voice pair to perfection, easily accomplished during live sets and studio sessions. Fender has used a piece of solid Sitka spruce for the top, with mahogany on the back and sides, and by now we are all used to the doughnut, right? With the American Acoustasonic series, Fender is ushering in a new category of guitar - opening up an entirely new set of creative capabilities. Dont expect the voice of a standard electric guitar or an amped-up electro-acoustic here; the fact that its a bit like both but not really like either is the whole point. Its also great to see that Fender has included the excellent Micro-Tilt neck angle adjustment feature, which will help even the fussiest of us to get the perfect action coupled. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar (opens in new tab), Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as the best part of 20 years performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). Fender promises twang but this isnt Dwight Yoakam levels of twang. We cant help you with the latter, but we are expecting cool things from the Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. You also have the option to natural things up when recording by using a mic to mix in some of the real sound of the guitar in the room. Acoustasonic amps are a fantastic addition to your busking or small-gig setup, with built-in effects and mic inputs to handle all your needs from a single piece of gear. Guitar.com is the worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. Its pleasingly slim, with lightly rolled edges and a thin satin finish that really lets you feel the woodiness of the, er, wood. Here we get the same two variants clean and crunchy so the blend control is for dialling in overdrive. There are a couple more differences from the American range to note before we get going. Dang, this thing is just so easy to play. Nevertheless, Fenders decision to try something new is hugely creditable, combining craft and technology in a satisfyingly contemporary way. The small-body and dreadnought models give solid representations of the two ends of the acoustic guitar spectrum: one snappy and intimate, the other bloomy and spacious. Doesnt sound too challenging, but the guitars construction and not-very-magnetic phosphor bronze strings mean its never going to sound exactly like a regular Tele which isnt necessarily a bad thing. 2019saw another tech and design debut, the first American Acoustasonic models. It soon found more favour as a twangy surf rock instrument before undergoing a cult revival in the 80s and 90s. As seen on the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, position twos lo-fi sounds leave the raw piezo sound untreated. published 16 November 21, The new Mexican-made model costs $1,199 and features a streamlined feature set. Now theres a new Acoustasonic, based on the more leftfield Jazzmaster bodyshape. The USB port is to charge the electronics; battery life is around 20 hours, The Fender American Acoustasonic Series, from left to right: Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Telecaster, Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, 1879. At first theres surprise, maybe a little horror, too. Die-hards will inevitably heresy, just as petrolheads bewail the end of the internal combustion engine. As its name suggests, the blend control is more than just a two-way selector of voice modes; you can mix the two voices together to find the in between tones. Once more, the Acoustasonic preamp technology or the Acoustic Engine is a two-hander between Fender and Fishman. Fender also added effortlessly portable solid-state amps to this collection as the perfect pairing for each Acoustasonic, with mic and instrument capabilities that make them a no-brainer for solo shows. When the affordable version of a guitar still has a suggested retail price of four figures, this tells you two things: its no ordinary plank, and youre overdue a pay rise. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. But the basic tech is the same, with the Fender/Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine harnessing DSP to help it replicate a range of classic and not-so-classic tones. Note that theres no body sensor for creating percussive effects this time. Here is where the true hybrid tones are, and as such, there are fewer references for what we are hearing. There's still an incentive to splurge on the more expensive guitars if you want more control, but this might make sense if you need that $800 or just want something that saves space and time. Acoustasonic amps are available in 15- and 40-watt models, boasting much the same features with instrument-channel chorus effects added to the 15-watt amp and digital reverb with a pair of XLR combo input jacks onboard the 40-watt amp. Whether youre fingerpicking through folk tunes or slamming a cabinet with fuzzy, high-gain goodness, Fenders Acoustasonic acoustic-electric guitars deliver the sounds you seek. /Rttm%fH~ }kw:w These are true hybrids, each combining a classic Fender electric body shape (and skinny body) with hollow mahogany and Sitka spruce construction and combining a magnetic pickup with an under-saddle piezo. Guitar (opens in new tab). The Fender American Acoustasonic series was introduced in 2019 with the Telecaster, promised as one of the most advanced and flexible instruments ever envisioned. After strumming through a few songs, it became evident that Fender was on to something truly unique. Again you have blendable clean and overdriven options. Available in five off-beat colours - a throwback to its 60s heyday this new Jazzmasters contours are accentuated by the mix of mahogany and coloured finishes. A selection of new acoustic voices gives the Acoustasonic Player a distinct sound, with a 9-volt battery and quick-release back plate for split-second battery swaps. Now available in three iconic Fender models the Telecaster, Stratocaster, and Jazzmaster the American Acoustasonic continues to turn heads and change opinions with its radical approach to conjuring real-deal acoustic and electric tones from a single instrument. These are accessible via a three-way blade selector switch and the blend knob, and still present us with a hitherto unparalleled level of versatility from a hybrid build at this price point. But there comes a point when said design has to be popularised; it has to graduate to mass appeal. Premium woods still feature throughout the instrument, however, as it boasts a mahogany body and deep C-shaped neck, Sitka spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The onboard voice options might have been scaled down but the Acoustasonic Telecaster sticks the landing as a Player Series model, in what could be one of the guitar to make the hybrid build truly go mainstream. The rosewood dread voicing really does cater to the singer-songwriter who wants to hit a big chord and let it bloom, while the warmth and detail of the small-bodied acoustic voice is sure to be a hit with fingerstylists. By Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. Wallpaper* is supported by its audience. Dang, this thing is just so easy to play. We provide insight and opinion about gear, artists, technique and the guitar industry for all genres and skill levels. Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster (opens in new tab) The instrument brand has unveiled an Acoustasonic Player Telecaster with both a more affordable $1,200 price and a simpler design with a three-way voice selector (versus five on other models) and one blend knob. This combination is truly unique. The team experimented with the size and shape of the sides, the cavity of the body, the bracing patterns, soundhole location, diameter Each instrument has its own advantages and challenges in design, and they each have their own unique responsiveness and sound as a result. When you do, there will be the question of whether a regular guitar amp or an acoustic guitar amp would be a better fit. The shock of the new is near overwhelming. Innovation doesnt come very often to the world of guitars. The sound is just coming from the piezo and as you turn the blend control it adds drive. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Before 2020, the image of the guitar was in the doldrums, considered musically pass with its unfashionable and unwelcome links to the old guard. Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Mahogany Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Bourbon Burst, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Brushed Black, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Mahogany Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Natural, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Tungsten, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Shadow Burst, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Black, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Arctic White, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Sunburst, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Tobacco Sunburst, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Natural, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Translucent Surf Green, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Lutz Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Natural, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Butterscotch Blonde, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Ocean Turquoise, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Lutz Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Natural, Left-handed, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Steel Blue, 40-watt 2-channel 2x6.5" Acoustic Guitar Amplifier with 3-band EQ and Reverb, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Matte Black, Hard Case for Acoustasonic with TSA-approved Center Latch, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Transparent Sonic Blue, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - Arctic White, Hybrid Acoustic-electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Magnetic/Piezo Pickups - 3-Color Sunburst, 15W Solid-state Acoustic Guitar Combo Amplifier with 6" Full-range Speaker - Brown. JN: Yes, like any guitar we build, there were multiple designs and prototypes built to find the optimal voicing for each of these shapes. To achieve just that, Fender equipped the Strat and Tele models with three high-performing pickup systems to handle its 10 voices: Fishmans Under-saddle Transducer and Acoustasonic Enhancer, as well as Fenders own Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup. Not that it was needed here. This, of course, depends on how you intend to use the guitar. The compact body is less obtrusive than a typical acoustic, and allied with the neck and the 25.5 scale, it makes this feel like a Telecaster all right, albeit one that is all-neck when it comes to the weight. Theres also a Graph Tech Tusq nut, a set of sealed and staggered die-cast tuners, and its worth noting that it ships with a set of Fender Dura-Tone coated phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings (11-52), because its just one of the things that might have you caught asking yourself if you are playing an acoustic electric or and electric acoustic, and does it even matter anyway? When it launched back at NAMM 2019, Fenders American Acoustasonic Telecaster turned heads and stoked imaginations with its distinctive looks and innovative approach to the electric-acoustic guitar. Were intrigued to see how this stacks up to the $1,999 US-built version that $800 saving certainly is attractive, particularly if its best tones have made it over relatively intact. Playing the Player Series Acoustasonic Tele unplugged doesnt feel like you are just killing time before plugging in. Best of all, though, is the neck. Ad #q%FI}O$EJoG$, BA1 1UA. MusicRadar: The onboard voice options might have been scaled down but the Acoustasonic Telecaster sticks the landing as a Player Series model, in what could be one of the guitar to make the hybrid build truly go mainstream. Guitar World is supported by its audience. Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Fender Products, discusses the companys latest product and what it means for the future of guitar. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is available worldwide in four familiar guitar colors (black, white, butterscotch and a graded "Shadow Burst"). Head over to Fender.com (opens in new tab) for more info. TIPS:We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. You will receive a verification email shortly. I would add that the industry has been defined by acoustic or electric for decades. This instrument is a true hybrid - its not just an acoustic guitar, nor is it just a vessel for the digital electronics - it is a real balance between the sound of the instrument itself and the ways in which the electronics augment this natural sound. BA1 1UA. Microsoft negs Activision Blizzard to push through $68.7 billion acquisition, Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols has died, Sony is retiring the PlayStation 5's Accolades feature because people aren't nice. But at $1,999, it was a hefty investment for anyone curious about sampling its charms now Fender has answered the prayers of cash-strapped players with a more affordable, Mexican-made model, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster (opens in new tab) In a sense, this is a sound that almost exists outside of the spectrum of acoustic/electric tones, and is sure to support pedalboard experimentation. GEAR:We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is available now in Brushed Black, Butterscotch Blonde, Shadow Burst, and Arctic White finishes. Its pleasingly slim, with lightly rolled edges and a thin satin finish As a guitar to idly strum on while half-watching quiz shows, this is instant and effortless good fun What better way to showcase your new Acoustasonic axe than with a matching solid-state combo amp? - A weekly roundup of our favorite tech deals, Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget. Very clever. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Retailing for $1,199, the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is apparently the result of five years of planning, building and refinement, and will be built in a new dedicated Acoustasonic space within Fenders Ensenada factory. The January 2022 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Unlike the US model, its preamp is battery operated, which feels like something Fender should address in future updates. When paired with a 5-way blade and continuous mod knob, its a breeze to flip from warm and resonant dreadnought tones to soaring leads on the fly. We spoke to Justin Norvell, executive vice president of Fender Products, about the companys latest product and what it means for the future of guitar. We have fewer choices when it comes to voices. First of all, at a little over 2kg its practically not there at all the thinline body shape, complete with forearm chamfer, means it sits in the lap as snugly as any solidbody. Fenders Acoustasonic acoustic amp is the all-in-one solution you need for singer/songwriter performances, boasting XLR and 1/4-inch compatibility for your favorite mic and Acoustasonic guitar. The new guitar is aimed at younger musicians. All rights reserved. Fender's acoustic-electric hybrid guitars are technical marvels, but they're pricey for up-and-coming musicians (officially $2,000) and relatively complex. Once you narrow down your choice, be sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700to add any of Fenders excellent Acoustasonic offerings to your stable! Combined with the Blend Knob, which offers the ability to go between electric and acoustic voices, theres still plenty of flexibility here, albeit not as much as the American-made version hence the Acoustasonic Player is being pitched as a more accessible entry point to the line. If you favour its two acoustic voices of position three, an acoustic amp is a better bet. Finally, in position one, you have the choice between the Noiseless Tele pickup and the Fat Noiseless Tele pickup voicing, which is to say you have the Tim Shaw-designed magnetic single-coil at your disposal, in both a clean mode and a sort of boosted, wider-sounding fat mode. Much of the physics of the Player Series Acoustasonic Telecaster are just that, finding the happy medium between electric and acoustic design. Fender is still an industry behemoth, selling hundreds of thousands of guitars a year, from high-end custom models to entry-level packages built by their Squier sub-division (sales of which rose by 92 per cent from mid-March to mid-October last year). The mahogany neck is carved into a Modern Deep C-shape profile and topped with a rosewood fingerboard with 22 narrow tall frets. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. A patent-pending SIRS soundport gives the guitars just enough projection to make them heard above the crackling of a campfire; but with all due respect to camping holidays, its really the Acoustic Engine that makes these instruments useful. Here it governs an under-saddle piezo and N4 Noiseless single-coil pickup. Youre not going to encompass every conceivable sound by blending between the two, and theres always a danger of a slightly synthetic piezo tonality entering the fray if your right hand strays too close to the bridge; but for any part-time acoustic player just looking to cover the main bases, this will do the job nicely.