Fender FSR Standard Tele Ash

[FenderGuy53]

I played a Fender FSR Standard Tele Ash (clear finish over ash body, tortoise shell pickguard, maple fretboard, 6-saddle modern bridge, standard single coil p'ups) at my local Guitar Center a few months ago. I really liked how it felt and especially how it played. I thought it was steal, even at $499.

I understand that some of these FSR's were made in 1-piece ash with Tex-Mex pickups. True? If so, how likely would it be that I would get one if I ordered one on-line?

For those of you who have/had one of these FSR Standrad Ash Teles, do/did you like it? Anything that I should know before I take the plunge?

Thanks.

[david_lewis93]

I have one and she is a sweety,,only one problem and I just now found it ,,she has a dead pole in the bridge pup but other than that ,,pure sweetness,talked to a lady at M.F. where I got her about sending a new pup,,no deal send guitar to them,,too late done fellin love ,soooo gave me 25.00credit,gona swap out keystone from squeir tele for bad pup in new one,all better now.OH and mine is a two piece body,71/2 lbs of pure dee ole HONK!!

bend em tight and let er scream.

[moodus2006]

I have one (two piece body) and LOVE it! It is my number one guitar , practice, gig, record, whatever... it is stock and it is sweet! You should but one..

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

I understand that some of these FSR's were made in 1-piece ash. True?

Who told you this?

This befuddles me. All you need to is look at the top edge or bottom edge of these guitars. They are primarily 3 piece, with some 2 piece and some 4 piece. Even with a perfectly smooth poly finish, you can easily see the seam ends. How could you not?

With a clear finish, you can't be fooled; all you gotta do is look. You can study these guitars and get a real good idea of what to expect under the skin of a Classic Player Baja, or a MIM Classic 50s Tele or Esquire. Or a Road Worn 50s.

I understand that some folks get fooled by the veneer bodies on the Standard Sunbursts and Jimmie Vaughan sunbursts, but this pronouncement that they're one piece has zero basis in fact. Ensenada wouldn't know what to do with a 14" wide board if they got one; it would stop the production machinery cold. I guess they'd rip in the "correct" 7 inch or less width.

2d Edit: I tried to tone my dismay down, but BBB got to my post before I could soften it. He's right, you're not gonna see ultra-premium parts on a "price leader" model. This model is waiting for you in basically ANY Guitar Center location; and there's probably a dozen more in back at some locations. It is a kinda neat one, but beware heavy ones and quite a few I consider ugly, with ugly wood or bad grain mismatching.

[BritishBluesBoy]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Who told you this?

The part about the pickups is right but frankly the "one piece" part is kinda far off the wall. Let me know who is saying this, so I can get them to stop this foolishness.

+ 1

Why would Fender sell a top grade guitar body for that little? Don't you think that they'd be more likely to save the best wood for their more expensive guitars...???

Look closely and you'll see that those guitars more than likely have a thin veneer over a multi-piece body.

[sjtalon]

No, I'm pretty sure they are solid ash. I believe that only thing they laminate is the Sunburst (Alder w/Maple top)


My FSR Ash is 4 piece. Heck even my Deluxe Nashville Tele (Ash) is 3 piece.

Their mill supplier does and pretty dang good job though, you have to look at the end of the body to really notice the pieces.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Who told you this?

this pronouncement that they're one piece has zero basis in fact. Ensenada wouldn't know what to do with a 14" wide board if they got one; it would stop the production machinery cold. I guess they'd rip in the "correct" 7 inch or less width.

Not ARE, Boris, WERE. The operative word is WERE.

I don't know enough on the subject to have made this up. Someone, either here on TDPRI, or perhaps on another of my fave forums, said that Fender, somewhere along the line, had released some FSR Standard Tele Ash guitars with a 1-piece body and Tex-Mex pickups. I'm just trying to get the facts - and the "gotchas", if any exist.

I'll try to find the thread where I read this...

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

beware heavy ones and quite a few I consider ugly, with ugly wood or bad grain mismatching.

Thanks for the gotchas, Boris!

[nadzab]

Don't trust any post that simply talks about one-piece bodies...I'm of the opinion that it never happened on the FSR, until somebody shows me a picture taken from the bottom, showing the edge where the strap button attaches.

Watch out, or I'll post the pics of my FSR again!

[moodus2006]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Who told you this?

This befuddles me. All you need to is look at the top edge or bottom edge of these guitars. They are primarily 3 piece, with some 2 piece and some 4 piece. Even with a perfectly smooth poly finish, you can easily see the seam ends. How could you not?

With a clear finish, you can't be fooled; all you gotta do is look. You can study these guitars and get a real good idea of what to expect under the skin of a Classic Player Baja, or a MIM Classic 50s Tele or Esquire. Or a Road Worn 50s.

I understand that some folks get fooled by the veneer bodies on the Standard Sunbursts and Jimmie Vaughan sunbursts, but this pronouncement that they're one piece has zero basis in fact. Ensenada wouldn't know what to do with a 14" wide board if they got one; it would stop the production machinery cold. I guess they'd rip in the "correct" 7 inch or less width.

2d Edit: I tried to tone my dismay down, but BBB got to my post before I could soften it. He's right, you're not gonna see ultra-premium parts on a "price leader" model. This model is waiting for you in basically ANY Guitar Center location; and there's probably a dozen more in back at some locations. It is a kinda neat one, but beware heavy ones and quite a few I consider ugly, with ugly wood or bad grain mismatching.

Relax bro! You come off as an arrogant snob. The purpose of this site is to educate and inform, not belittle others. The dude is just trying to get answers. Yes it is a "price leader" guitar and a darn nice one at that. It is sitting next to the "dozen more" american standards and every other mass produced Fender at those locations. (We do not have $3k to drop on some dope ass custom so kill the Superiority Complex).

thats said here is my 2 piece "price leader"

[FenderGuy53]

Wow! I really like the grain pattens on your Tele, moodus2006.

I've seen a few of these with "knots" in very conspicuous places, like on the upper horn, on the lower bout, below the control plate - not very appealing when they're on the front (to me, anyway).

[musicmatty]

Sweet Ax.

[JohnK24]

Originally Posted by moodus2006

Relax bro! You come off as an arrogant snob. The purpose of this site is to educate and inform, not belittle others. The dude is just trying to get answers. Yes it is a "price leader" guitar and a darn nice one at that. It is sitting next to the "dozen more" american standards and every other mass produced Fender at those locations. (We do not have $3k to drop on some dope ass custom so kill the Superiority Complex).

thats said here is my 2 piece "price leader"

Exactly...Boris can't you relax and offer some kind words every now and then, heck you team won that football game, shouldn't you be at least a little kinder ? Glad he didn't ask about Road Worns....

[FILTHYJOE]

3 piece here.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by moodus2006

Relax bro! You come off as an arrogant snob. The purpose of this site is to educate and inform, not belittle others. The dude is just trying to get answers. Yes it is a "price leader" guitar and a darn nice one at that. It is sitting next to the "dozen more" american standards and every other mass produced Fender at those locations. (We do not have $3k to drop on some dope ass custom so kill the Superiority Complex).

thats said here is my 2 piece "price leader"

I don't have a guitar over $ 1,4XX, so you relax.

I just don't care what you think. I see a fire of misinformation and I'm trying to put it out. I'm more afraid of people who know more than you and me combined who are reading this, not posting, and thinking: "what kind of silly misinformation is this?".

I care more about how those guys see me, not you.

Happy?

This is the 3rd of 4th thread where this exact same "question" has cropped up; I'm going to stop it now. What every it takes.

[moodus2006]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I don't have a guitar over $ 1,4XX, so you relax.

I just don't care what you think. I see a fire of misinformation and I'm trying to put it out. I'm more afraid of people who know more than you and me combined who are reading this, not posting, and thinking: "what kind of silly misinformation is this?".

I care more about how those guys see me, not you.

Happy?

This is the 3rd of 4th thread where this exact same "question" has cropped up; I'm going to stop it now. What every it takes.

But I love you! Please don't banish me.... your opinion means so much.
You should care about me.. I'm the one who is going to keep you grounded.
Me and my 2 piece $400 ugly guitar.. heres a nice warm hug and a kiss xoxoxoxo

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by JohnK24

Exactly...Boris can't you relax and offer some kind words every now and then, heck you team won that football game, shouldn't you be at least a little kinder ? Glad he didn't ask about Road Worns....

I can be polite, and let people go on and on about how Highway One parts are all made in Mexico. Or I can try to contain it. John, we're making no headway. False is pushing true back. I'm trying to push back.

I've been wracking my brain, trying to figure out a way to be polite but get people to check their facts. It is frustrating; these searches are easy to do.

Road Worns are an issue of personal taste; there is no "right" or "wrong" there. If I'm in the minority there, I cheerfully accept that. CVs, same thing. But when people are "told" a certain guitar is one piece, when it is not and never has been, that's not about taste.

Thank you for your interest in the Saints. The win will help these people a lot.

I appreciate that.

[buddyboy]

I just abought one about a month ago from GC. Very light. I put in some Duncans I had laying around and an old tele 3 barrel bridge. Also put on a white guard. I love it.

I too thought the guitar was one piece. Checked the rear edge and it looks good. Checking the front edge though, it appears it may be a two piece. Doesn't appear to be a three or four piece though. Great buy for $500.

[FenderGuy53]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

I just abought one about a month ago from GC. Very light. I put in some Duncans I had laying around and an old tele 3 barrel bridge. Also put on a white guard. I love it.

I too thought the guitar was one piece. Checked the rear edge and it looks good. Checking the front edge though, it appears it may be a two piece. Doesn't appear to be a three or four piece though. Great buy for $500.

You betcha. I don't care how many pieces of ash wood it uses. I just love it.

I'm keeping mine stock, just the way it came out of the box.

[nadzab]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

You betcha. I don't care how many pieces of ash wood it uses. I just love it.

+1

[tgfmike]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy53

You betcha. I don't care how many pieces of ash wood it uses. I just love it.

Here's a whole thread on what's the best piece count. This is the tdpri - everybody has an opinion on everything. IMO.

[leo1067]

just bought an fsr western tele whant to know about the neck

[leo1067]

just purchased an fsr tele am under the impression it has a very thick neck is this true

[stevesz]

I love mine! Not the thickest neck I've ever seen but it's substantial.

[surfco]

Mmmh...

[LohnnyL]

They look cool and priced right. How heavy are they usually?

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by LohnnyL

They look cool and priced right. How heavy are they usually?

Very seldom real light.

Saw a couple of them recently at a nearby GC that were both heavy and really awful looking grain; terrible mismatches. That, after having seen a number of nicer ones last year.

First thing you may need to know is: Does Musicians Friend or Guitar Center .com ship to Israel?



This is an FSR, special factory run, and your local dealer may have to get it from the guys who ordered their production and that may not be FMIC.

[LohnnyL]

They don't ship to Israel - although we have some dealers that work with them. I hope I'll get to the USA someday soon as I much rather try a guitar before I buy it.

[sjtalon]

Originally Posted by leo1067

just bought an fsr western tele whant to know about the neck

http://www.guitarstop.com/Fender/fsrtele.htm

According to this it is a "C" shape neck. I would tend to think for cost reasons they would use the same neck all the Standard MIM Tele's have, which have been the C neck for years.

Diff here would be the 7.25 radius...standards are 9.5 which would make it ("Western") feel "smaller" vs. the standard.

[gsh1968]

Western Tele necks are simply standard necks with a 50s decal. 9.5" radius. That store and a few others have the wrong radius listed.