What is the typical price for this model?

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 60s Telecaster Custom generally retails for approximately £2,899 in the UK market.

What distinguishes the 'Luxe' version from the standard American Ultra?

The Luxe version includes premium upgrades such as stainless steel frets, a quartersawn maple neck, and specific aesthetic touches like the aged Heirloom lacquer finish.

What type of neck profile does this guitar have?

It features an 'Augmented D' neck profile, which is slightly fuller than a standard C-shape but refined for speed and technical playing.

Are the frets made of traditional nickel-silver?

No, this model uses stainless steel frets, which are more resistant to wear and provide a smoother surface for string bending.

What is the function of the S-1 switch?

The S-1 switch changes the pickup wiring to a series configuration. This results in a thicker, punchier tone with more output compared to standard parallel wiring.

What wood is used for the body?

The guitar uses an alder body, which is a classic Fender choice known for balanced resonance and clear mids.

How does the fingerboard radius work?

It features a compound-radius rosewood fingerboard. The radius flattens out as you move up the neck to prevent notes from 'choking' during bends.

What pickups are factory-installed in this model?

It is equipped with Fender Pure Vintage '63 Tele single-coil pickups, designed for rich, articulate 1960s-style tones.

Does this guitar have locking tuners?

Yes, it comes standard with Fender Deluxe locking tuners for improved tuning stability and easier string changes.

What finish is used on the Lake Placid Blue body?

The body is finished in an aged Heirloom lacquer, designed to offer the aesthetic and tactile feel of a vintage instrument.

What is a quartersawn maple neck?

Quartersawn refers to the way the wood is cut from the log; it produces a straighter grain pattern that is significantly stronger and more resistant to warping.

Is the body shaped like a traditional 1950s Telecaster?

While it maintains the iconic silhouette, it features modern body contours for enhanced player comfort, unlike the traditional slab-style bodies.

Gear article

Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 60s Telecaster Custom

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 60s Telecaster Custom is a high-performance electric guitar that integrates sophisticated modern hardware with traditional 1960s aesthetics. Featuring an aged Heirloom lacquer finish and unique technical enhancements, it is designed for precision and professional-grade reliability.

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Background and Design

The American Ultra Luxe series represents the peak of Fender’s production-line guitars, sitting just below the Custom Shop in terms of appointments and price. The Vintage 60s Telecaster Custom specifically references the double-bound aesthetics of the mid-1960s but updates the construction for contemporary ergonomics. This model is finished in Lake Placid Blue with an aged Heirloom lacquer, suggesting a lived-in feel while maintaining modern structural integrity.

Construction and Playability

A key differentiator for the Ultra Luxe series is the focus on performance-driven specifications. The guitar features a quartersawn maple neck, which provides superior stability compared to standard flat-sawn necks. The 'Augmented D' profile is paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring a compound radius, allowing for easier chording at the nut and effortless string bending at higher frets. The inclusion of stainless steel frets ensures long-term durability and a smooth feel during vibrato.

Electronics and Sound

Despite its modern features, the guitar is voiced for classic tones via a pair of Pure Vintage '63 Telecaster pickups. These units are designed to replicate the articulation and snap of mid-century single-coils. However, a modern S-1 switch is integrated into the volume pot; when engaged, it shifts the wiring to a series configuration. This provides a fuller, louder output more akin to a humbucker, adding versatility for high-gain or lead situations.

Hardware and Reliability

The hardware package is selected for stage and studio reliability. Deluxe locking tuners facilitate rapid string changes and improve tuning stability when combined with the chromed brass saddle bridge. The contoured alder body provides better weight distribution and comfort against the player's ribs and forearm compared to the classic 'slab' body shapes of the 1950s.

Market Position and Alternatives

Retailing at approximately £2,899, this model competes with the Fender American Professional II series and high-end Gibson models like the Les Paul Standard 50s. While versions like the Jim Root Telecaster focus on metal and high-gain performance, the Ultra Luxe Vintage 60s balances the two worlds, offering the 'relic' appeal of a Custom Shop 61 Telecaster with the consistency of a modern production instrument.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for this model?: The Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 60s Telecaster Custom generally retails for approximately £2,899 in the UK market.
What distinguishes the 'Luxe' version from the standard American Ultra?: The Luxe version includes premium upgrades such as stainless steel frets, a quartersawn maple neck, and specific aesthetic touches like the aged Heirloom lacquer finish.
What type of neck profile does this guitar have?: It features an 'Augmented D' neck profile, which is slightly fuller than a standard C-shape but refined for speed and technical playing.
Are the frets made of traditional nickel-silver?: No, this model uses stainless steel frets, which are more resistant to wear and provide a smoother surface for string bending.
What is the function of the S-1 switch?: The S-1 switch changes the pickup wiring to a series configuration. This results in a thicker, punchier tone with more output compared to standard parallel wiring.
What wood is used for the body?: The guitar uses an alder body, which is a classic Fender choice known for balanced resonance and clear mids.
How does the fingerboard radius work?: It features a compound-radius rosewood fingerboard. The radius flattens out as you move up the neck to prevent notes from 'choking' during bends.
What pickups are factory-installed in this model?: It is equipped with Fender Pure Vintage '63 Tele single-coil pickups, designed for rich, articulate 1960s-style tones.
Does this guitar have locking tuners?: Yes, it comes standard with Fender Deluxe locking tuners for improved tuning stability and easier string changes.
What finish is used on the Lake Placid Blue body?: The body is finished in an aged Heirloom lacquer, designed to offer the aesthetic and tactile feel of a vintage instrument.
What is a quartersawn maple neck?: Quartersawn refers to the way the wood is cut from the log; it produces a straighter grain pattern that is significantly stronger and more resistant to warping.
Is the body shaped like a traditional 1950s Telecaster?: While it maintains the iconic silhouette, it features modern body contours for enhanced player comfort, unlike the traditional slab-style bodies.