Gear article
Fender Limited Edition Player II Telecaster Lake Placid Blue
The Fender Limited Edition Player II Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue is a modern electric guitar designed to balance classic aesthetics with contemporary playability. Featuring an alder body, rolled fingerboard edges, and Alnico V pickups, it serves as a versatile workhorse for studio and live performance.
See live pricesOverview
The Fender Limited Edition Player II Telecaster represents the next evolution of Fender’s entry-level professional line, succeeding the original Player Series. This specific model is finished in Lake Placid Blue, a historical Fender custom colour that provides a striking visual profile. It is engineered to provide the essential Telecaster experience with hardware and ergonomic refinements that cater to the needs of modern guitarists.
Construction and Design
The instrument is built around a solid alder body, a tonewood favoured for its light weight and resonant properties. The neck is constructed from maple with a 'Modern C' profile, designed to fit comfortably in a wide variety of hand sizes.
Key ergonomic features include: * Rolled Fingerboard Edges: Provides a broken-in feel for increased comfort during extended play. * Satin Neck Finish: A smooth back-of-neck finish that prevents sticking and facilitates faster movement. * 22 Medium Jumbo Frets: Offers a larger surface area for easier bending and vibrato compared to vintage-style frets.
Electronics and Hardware
This Telecaster is equipped with a pair of Player Series Alnico V single-coil pickups. These are designed to retain the signature 'twang' and 'snap' associated with the Telecaster while providing slightly more output and warmth than traditional vintage-voiced pickups. The controls follow the standard Telecaster layout, featuring a three-way selector switch and master volume and tone knobs.
Sound Character
The Alnico V magnets produce a crisp attack and cutting treble frequencies, making the guitar suitable for genres requiring clarity, such as country, indie, and funk. However, the updated voicing ensures the bridge pickup remains punchy rather than harsh, while the neck pickup offers enough warmth for blues and jazz applications.
Market Position and Alternatives
Priced around £729, the Player II Telecaster sits above the Squier Limited Edition Mini Stratocaster in terms of build quality and hardware, while remaining more accessible than the Fender American Professional II series or Custom Shop models like the '61 Telecaster Relic. For players seeking different tonal signatures, it competes with models such as the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90, though it offers a brighter, single-coil focused sound compared to the P90 or humbucker alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the body material of this Telecaster?
- The guitar features an alder body, which is a classic Fender tonewood known for being resonant and relatively lightweight.
- What kind of pickups are installed in the Player II Telecaster?
- It is equipped with Player Series Alnico V single-coil pickups, designed to offer a balance of traditional crispness and modern warmth.
- How does the neck feel compared to vintage models?
- It features a 'Modern C' profile and rolled fingerboard edges, making it feel more comfortable and 'broken-in' compared to sharp-edged vintage designs.
- What is the finish on the back of the neck?
- The back of the maple neck has a satin finish, which reduces friction and allows for smoother movement across the fretboard.
- How many frets does this model have?
- The guitar has 22 medium jumbo frets, providing more range and easier playability than the 21-fret configuration found on many vintage-style instruments.
- What is the colour of this limited edition model?
- This specific limited edition model is finished in Lake Placid Blue, a classic Fender metallic finish.
- Is the fingerboard material maple or rosewood?
- This specific model features a maple fingerboard (MN), which contributes to a bright and snappy tonal response.
- What price range does the Player II Telecaster typically fall into?
- The typical retail price for this model is approximately £729 in the UK market.
- What makes this a 'Limited Edition' model?
- While it shares many specifications with the standard Player II line, its 'Limited Edition' status is often tied to the specific Lake Placid Blue finish and production run.
- Can this guitar handle high-gain settings?
- While primarily known for its clean 'twang', the Alnico V pickups have enough punch to handle overdrive and rock tones, though they may produce hum due to their single-coil design.
- How does it compare to the American Professional II series?
- The Player II is more affordable and features different pickups and bridge hardware, whereas the American Professional II series offers different wood options like Roasted Pine and refined electronics.
- Is this guitar suitable for beginners?
- Yes, its 'Modern C' neck and rolled edges make it very accessible for players of all levels, though its price point positions it as a mid-tier instrument.
