What pickups are used in the Kingfish Telecaster Deluxe?

The guitar is equipped with a pair of custom-voiced Kingfish humbuckers designed for a thick, singing tone with plenty of bite for blues-rock.

What is the neck profile of this model?

It features a roasted maple neck with a V-shaped profile, providing a comfortable and familiar grip for players who prefer traditional neck shapes.

What type of bridge does this guitar have?

It uses an Adjusto-Matic bridge with a stop tailpiece, which differs from the standard Telecaster bridge to improve intonation stability.

What is the wood used for the fingerboard?

The guitar features a slab rosewood fingerboard, which provides a smooth surface and classic tonal warmth.

What is the significance of the 12-inch fingerboard radius?

The 12" radius is flatter than the vintage 7.25" or modern 9.5" Fender shapes, making it easier to perform wide bends without the notes cutting out.

In which finish is this specific model available?

This specific signature model is finished in Daphne Blue, paired with a parchment pickguard.

What is the scale length of the guitar?

The instrument maintains the traditional Fender 25.5" scale length, providing familiar tension and bright note definition.

What kind of headstock does it have?

The guitar features the large '70s-style headstock characteristic of the original Telecaster Deluxe models.

Are the tuners modern or vintage style?

The guitar is equipped with vintage-style tuners to maintain the classic '70s aesthetic while providing reliable performance.

How does the controls layout work?

It uses a four-knob layout, giving the player independent control over the volume and tone for both the neck and bridge pickups.

What fret size is found on this model?

The guitar is fitted with medium jumbo frets, which are physically larger than vintage frets to assist in more modern playing techniques.

Why is the maple neck roasted?

Roasting the maple neck removes moisture and impurities, resulting in a more stable neck that is less susceptible to humidity changes and offers a unique aesthetic.

Gear article

Fender Kingfish Telecaster Deluxe

The Fender Kingfish Delta Day Telecaster Deluxe is a high-performance electric guitar designed in collaboration with blues-rock guitarist Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram. Finished in Daphne Blue, it combines 1970s-style aesthetics with custom humbucking electronics and refined ergonomics tailored for expressive lead playing.

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Overview

The Fender Kingfish Delta Day Telecaster Deluxe is a specialised version of the classic dual-humbucker Telecaster, aimed at blues and rock players. It is distinguished by its Daphne Blue finish and '70s-style oversized headstock. The instrument is built to provide a stable platform for expressive playing styles, featuring a 25.5" scale length and a blend of vintage and modern hardware.

Construction and Playability

The guitar features a roasted maple neck carved into a 'V' profile, providing a ergonomic grip that facilitates vibrato and string bending. This is paired with a 12" radius slab rosewood fingerboard, which is flatter than vintage Fender specifications to prevent notes from 'choking out' during wide bends. The inclusion of medium jumbo frets further assists in technical playability across the 21-fret range.

Electronics and Hardware

The Kingfish Telecaster is equipped with two custom-voiced Kingfish humbucking pickups, designed to deliver a thick, singing voice with significant 'bite' when driven. Control is provided via a traditional four-knob layout (independent volume and tone for each pickup), allowing for precise blending. Unlike the standard string-through-body Telecaster bridge, this model utilizes an Adjusto-Matic bridge with a stop bar tailpiece, ensuring stable intonation and tuning.

Market Comparison

Positioned within the premium production bracket around £2,499, this model competes with other signature and high-end instruments. While the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster offers a versatile single-coil experience and the Jim Root Telecaster caters to metal players with a minimalist aesthetic, the Kingfish model focuses on the 'growl' and 'feel' required for modern blues-rock. Compared to the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90, the Kingfish provides a distinct 25.5" scale snap while maintaining humbucking thickness.

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Frequently asked questions

What pickups are used in the Kingfish Telecaster Deluxe?: The guitar is equipped with a pair of custom-voiced Kingfish humbuckers designed for a thick, singing tone with plenty of bite for blues-rock.
What is the neck profile of this model?: It features a roasted maple neck with a V-shaped profile, providing a comfortable and familiar grip for players who prefer traditional neck shapes.
What type of bridge does this guitar have?: It uses an Adjusto-Matic bridge with a stop tailpiece, which differs from the standard Telecaster bridge to improve intonation stability.
What is the wood used for the fingerboard?: The guitar features a slab rosewood fingerboard, which provides a smooth surface and classic tonal warmth.
What is the significance of the 12-inch fingerboard radius?: The 12" radius is flatter than the vintage 7.25" or modern 9.5" Fender shapes, making it easier to perform wide bends without the notes cutting out.
In which finish is this specific model available?: This specific signature model is finished in Daphne Blue, paired with a parchment pickguard.
What is the scale length of the guitar?: The instrument maintains the traditional Fender 25.5" scale length, providing familiar tension and bright note definition.
What kind of headstock does it have?: The guitar features the large '70s-style headstock characteristic of the original Telecaster Deluxe models.
Are the tuners modern or vintage style?: The guitar is equipped with vintage-style tuners to maintain the classic '70s aesthetic while providing reliable performance.
How does the controls layout work?: It uses a four-knob layout, giving the player independent control over the volume and tone for both the neck and bridge pickups.
What fret size is found on this model?: The guitar is fitted with medium jumbo frets, which are physically larger than vintage frets to assist in more modern playing techniques.
Why is the maple neck roasted?: Roasting the maple neck removes moisture and impurities, resulting in a more stable neck that is less susceptible to humidity changes and offers a unique aesthetic.