What body wood is used for the Player II Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde?

This specific model uses a chambered ash body. This design choice provides a lightweight feel while retaining the vibrant and resonant tonal characteristics historically associated with ash.

How does the neck profile feel on this model?

The guitar features a Modern 'C' neck profile. It is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of playing styles, offering a balance between thickness and speed.

What is unique about the fingerboard edges?

The Player II series includes hand-rolled fingerboard edges. This process rounds off the sharp corners of the fretboard, providing a 'broken-in' feel and increased comfort for the player's hand.

What type of pickups are installed?

The guitar is equipped with Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil pickups. These are voiced to be crisp and articulate, making them suitable for many musical genres.

What kind of bridge does the Player II Telecaster use?

It uses a six-saddle string-through-body bridge with block steel saddles. This setup allows for precise individual string intonation and enhanced tuning stability.

What is the fingerboard radius?

The maple fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius. This is a standard Fender specification that accommodates both comfortable chording and easy string bending.

What finish is applied to the neck?

The neck is finished with a silky satin urethane. This finish is intended to provide a smooth, fast playing surface that does not feel sticky during use.

Does this guitar include vintage-style tuners?

Yes, it is equipped with ClassicGear tuning machines. these combine a vintage aesthetic with a modern gear ratio for more reliable and precise tuning.

Is the Butterscotch Blonde finish transparent?

Butterscotch Blonde is traditionally a semi-transparent finish. On the Player II, it allows the grain of the chambered ash body to show through slightly, maintaining a classic look.

How does this compare to an American Professional II model?

While both are professional-grade, the Player II is more affordable and features different specifications, such as the Alnico V pickups versus the V-Mod II pickups found on the American Professional II series.

Is this guitar suitable for high-gain music?

While the Alnico V single-coils are articulate, they are primarily designed for clarity and 'twang.' For heavy metal, a humbucker-equipped model like the Jim Root Telecaster might be more common, though the Player II can handle rock with the right pedals.

What is the typical price for the Fender Player II Telecaster?

The typical price range for this model is approximately £798. This places it in the mid-range of the electric guitar market, suitable for intermediate to professional players.

Gear article

Fender Player II Telecaster MN Butterscotch Blonde

The Fender Player II Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde is a contemporary electric guitar that blends traditional Fender aesthetics with updated specifications for modern playability. It features a chambered ash body, a maple fingerboard with rolled edges, and Alnico V single-coil pickups, positioning it as a versatile instrument for stage and studio use.

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Background and Design

The Fender Player II series represents the evolution of Fender’s core production line, succeeding the original Player Series. This iteration focuses on refining the user experience through ergonomic upgrades and premium wood selections. The Butterscotch Blonde finish is a direct homage to the earliest 'Blackguard' Telecasters of the 1950s, though the construction methods used here are strictly modern.

A significant design choice for this model is the use of a chambered ash body. While ash was the standard wood for vintage Telecasters, it has become increasingly rare; the chambering process ensures the guitar remains lightweight while maintaining the vibrant, resonant character associated with the species.

Technical Specifications

The guitar is built around a maple neck with a Modern 'C' profile, finished in a silky satin urethane to reduce friction during play. The fingerboard features a 9.5" radius, which is a middle-ground specification suitable for both chordal work and lead playing. A notable upgrade in the Player II series is the inclusion of hand-rolled fingerboard edges, a feature typically reserved for higher-tier models, which enhances comfort.

Hardware includes ClassicGear tuning machines and a six-saddle string-through-body bridge. Unlike the traditional three-saddle bridge, the six-saddle configuration allows for individual intonation of each string, improving overall pitch accuracy across the fretboard.

Electronics and Sound

The instrument is equipped with two Player Series Alnico V single-coil pickups. These are designed to provide a crisp, articulate response with the classic Telecaster 'twang.' The Alnico V magnets offer a slightly higher output and more pronounced frequency response compared to Alnico II or III alternatives, making them adaptable to various genres including country, rock, blues, and pop.

The controls follow the standard Telecaster layout: a three-way blade selector switch, a master volume knob, and a master tone knob. This simplicity allows for quick tonal adjustments during live performances.

Market Position and Comparison

The Player II Telecaster occupies a mid-range price point, typically retailing around £798. It serves as an accessible entry point into the 'Standard' Fender experience, sitting above the Squier Limited Edition Mini Stratocaster or Stagg SES-30BK, and below premium models like the American Professional II Stratocaster or the Custom Shop '61 Telecaster Relic.

Compared to artist models like the Jim Root Telecaster, which is geared toward high-gain metal, the Player II is a more traditional, general-purpose instrument. Its chambered ash construction also provides a different weight profile and resonance compared to the solid-body alder or roasted pine found in other Fender ranges.

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Frequently asked questions

What body wood is used for the Player II Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde?: This specific model uses a chambered ash body. This design choice provides a lightweight feel while retaining the vibrant and resonant tonal characteristics historically associated with ash.
How does the neck profile feel on this model?: The guitar features a Modern 'C' neck profile. It is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of playing styles, offering a balance between thickness and speed.
What is unique about the fingerboard edges?: The Player II series includes hand-rolled fingerboard edges. This process rounds off the sharp corners of the fretboard, providing a 'broken-in' feel and increased comfort for the player's hand.
What type of pickups are installed?: The guitar is equipped with Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil pickups. These are voiced to be crisp and articulate, making them suitable for many musical genres.
What kind of bridge does the Player II Telecaster use?: It uses a six-saddle string-through-body bridge with block steel saddles. This setup allows for precise individual string intonation and enhanced tuning stability.
What is the fingerboard radius?: The maple fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius. This is a standard Fender specification that accommodates both comfortable chording and easy string bending.
What finish is applied to the neck?: The neck is finished with a silky satin urethane. This finish is intended to provide a smooth, fast playing surface that does not feel sticky during use.
Does this guitar include vintage-style tuners?: Yes, it is equipped with ClassicGear tuning machines. these combine a vintage aesthetic with a modern gear ratio for more reliable and precise tuning.
Is the Butterscotch Blonde finish transparent?: Butterscotch Blonde is traditionally a semi-transparent finish. On the Player II, it allows the grain of the chambered ash body to show through slightly, maintaining a classic look.
How does this compare to an American Professional II model?: While both are professional-grade, the Player II is more affordable and features different specifications, such as the Alnico V pickups versus the V-Mod II pickups found on the American Professional II series.
Is this guitar suitable for high-gain music?: While the Alnico V single-coils are articulate, they are primarily designed for clarity and 'twang.' For heavy metal, a humbucker-equipped model like the Jim Root Telecaster might be more common, though the Player II can handle rock with the right pedals.
What is the typical price for the Fender Player II Telecaster?: The typical price range for this model is approximately £798. This places it in the mid-range of the electric guitar market, suitable for intermediate to professional players.