What's your opinion on the American Special Telecaster? A legit USA Tele?

[matarroano]

Hey guys!

So, what's your opinion on the American Special Telecaster? Is it a "legit" USA Telecaster?

I love the fact that it has the "Modern C" neck, my favorite Fender neck, but... I heard that the American Special Telecaster is not a "legit" USA Made Telecaster because of being built with Mexican hardware (?), woods (?) and random surplus Telecaster parts... Is this true and should I believe this?

I want a "100% pure" tradicional Telecaster. Not vintage, but a legit USA Made Telecaster do add to my blasphemous HH "Hot Rod" MIM Telecaster, that I tune in C standard for doom/stoner/sludge metal...

I want a "traditional" Telecaster for E standard tuning for a more indie/alt/funk/soul/ska/rock repertoire.

Does the American Special Telecaster fit the bill or should I just aim for the American Professional?

I really really like the fact that the American Special, is "American", has the "Modern C" neck and that is a lot cheaper...

Any and all ideas on this are very welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Daniel

 

[boris bubbanov]

Daniel, I wish I could convince everyone, that these are all fakes.

I do not like the huge fretwire. I find it doesn't like me, either.

Get the fretwire wrong this badly, and just hope it is real so I can sell it and be done with it.

 

[Slim Chance]

It is in fact made in the USA, so yes. Whether you like its appointments, is another matter. The divide between the Squier and American Standard has closed. Many of us have non-MIA guitars that are as nice or nicer than MIA guitars. Best to get the one you like the best regardless of country of origin.

 

[Twangsta]

I had one, but sold it because the neck felt awkward to me, could be because of the huge fretwires, but I'm not sure.
Now I have a mim standard telecaster which feels better than the special I had.
Just my experience.

 

[jannodude]

I'm actually going to go against the grain and vouch for the American Special Telecaster. The AS Tele is probably the best bang for your buck IMHO. The "jumbo frets" is what makes it or break it for people. Some people love it, some people hate it!
Have you tried playing one in person? it may not be a big deal for you.
The Satin neck is a great addition along with the CS Texas Specials.
We cannot convince you to like it's appointments but you should definitely try and play one to get a good feel of the guitar. There is quite a bit of happy AS Tele owners in this forum! I definitely love mine!

 

[Randypttt]

I bought one earlier this year and its a fine guitar. I love the frets, the pups rock and the finish is as nice as all of Fenders upper tier guitars.

I got it primarily for the pickups. They're big and wide sounding for a Tele but I already have a couple more vintage sounding Teles.

My only complaint is the gig bag. 1 K I spent and all you get is a vinyl sack. Mmmm.
If you're looking for something more vintage you might try the Professionals. They're pretty vintage sounding to me. If not grab a Special.
Good luck

 

[MrGibbly]

Hey guys!

So, what's your opinion on the American Special Telecaster? Is it a "legit" USA Telecaster?

I love the fact that it has the "Modern C" neck, my favorite Fender neck, but... I heard that the American Special Telecaster is not a "legit" USA Made Telecaster because of being built with Mexican hardware (?), woods (?) and random surplus Telecaster parts... Is this true and should I believe this?

I want a "100% pure" tradicional Telecaster. Not vintage, but a legit USA Made Telecaster do add to my blasphemous HH "Hot Rod" MIM Telecaster, that I tune in C standard for doom/stoner/sludge metal...

I want a "traditional" Telecaster for E standard tuning for a more indie/alt/funk/soul/ska/rock repertoire.

Does the American Special Telecaster fit the bill or should I just aim for the American Professional?

I really really like the fact that the American Special, is "American", has the "Modern C" neck and that is a lot cheaper...

Any and all ideas on this are very welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Daniel

I can't speak for the Tele version but I have the Strat. The neck is great and slippery. The big fretwire is something you need to try to see if you like it or not. The hardware is arguably more traditional than the Standard these days (frets excluded). The wiring is a little different with the "grease bucket" tone circuit. All that said, it is a very well made American example. I would recommend that you find a shop where you can play several to make sure you can find one you'll bond with. Good luck!

 

[TexMax]

It is in fact made in the USA, so yes. Whether you like its appointments, is another matter. The divide between the Squier and American Standard has closed. Many of use have non-MIA guitars that are as nice or nicer than MIA guitars. Best to get the one you like the best regardless of country of origin.

+ 1

I think it is all about which features you prefer.

Three of the main features of the American Special are things that I just do not care for: Alder bodies, jumbo frets, and Texas Special pickups. But that's just me and my tastes.

For me, the new American Professionals are a little more in line with the features I prefer - kind of a vintage/modern hybrid with vintage style pickups.

I have played a bunch of the Specials and the Professionals, and they are both very good guitars, with the Professionals getting into the excellent category to me - I was very impressed with them, excellent guitars for $1300.

 

[jackinjax]

I'm currently looking at the American Special, too. As a matter of fact I played one this afternoon along with an American Standard. I honestly couldn't feel or hear a difference. Both played and sounded great.
The deal with the Special is you gotta like it like it is. They offer three colors; two with maple boards and one with rosewood. Other than that, I'm pretty sure they offer no options.
I happened to like the blonde with the maple board. I also like the jumbo frets and C neck; big hands.

 

[tery]

American Specials are very nice MIA guitars .

 

[Ripradiant]

IMHO Am specials are modern vintage teles- I have two - they are awesome.

 

[PJ55]

A friend of mine has one and I think its a terrific Tele. I'd lose the die-cast tuners if it were mine. But, that's a minor point. It seems to me to be more of a vintage-style Tele, with the 70s decal and vintage bridge. But, it plays and sounds so good, I put a set of those Texas Specials in my FSR. Fabulous pickups for a Tele. Nothing "anti-American" about an American Special Tele, in my book.

 

[Chicago Matt]

It is in fact made in the USA, so yes. Whether you like its appointments, is another matter. The divide between the Squier and American Standard has closed. Many of use have non-MIA guitars that are as nice or nicer than MIA guitars. Best to get the one you like the best regardless of country of origin.

^^^^ I agree with Slim.

 

[Aaron1061]

Have an American Special. Prefer the neck over the standards. Changed out the pickups to OV's however that's a personal preference. Also you might want to look into Chicago music exchange. They just got some very cool surf green specials in.

 

[tele12]

Hey guys!

So, what's your opinion on the American Special Telecaster? Is it a "legit" USA Telecaster?



...........

Does the American Special Telecaster fit the bill or should I just aim for the American Professional?

I really really like the fact that the American Special, is "American", has the "Modern C" neck and that is a lot cheaper...

Any and all ideas on this are very welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Daniel

There is absolutely nothing wrong with an American Special. Texas specials are very versatile Tele pickups. I like the jumbo frets. The Professional is also a nice guitar, but no way could I justify the 600 euro price difference I am seeing online.

 

[jannodude]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with an American Special. Texas specials are very versatile Tele pickups. I like the jumbo frets. The Professional is also a nice guitar, but no way could I justify the 600 euro price difference I am seeing online.

+1

CS Texas specials are hotter output pickups that can achieve jazzy tones when you roll down the tone knob thanks to the "Grease Bucket" circuit. It also sounds good with a little dirt added to it! It may not have the "chime" of traditional vintage pickups. Other's put Texas Specials in the neck and vintage pickups in the bridge for that extra "jangle".

I actually prefer the sound of Custom Shop Fat 50s over the Tim Shaw Custom "V" pickups that are in the new professional series. I also agree that the price difference is not worth it.

 

[Horsin Hank]

The American Special Tele. Is a great MIA guitar for the money. i bought one a couple years ago.
To be honest, i dont like the Jumbo frets. Im used to vintage necks and frets. (7.25 radius and little frets.)
A dealer/tech friend liked the neck alot, but played an American Standard with smaller frets. We swapped necks and now we're both happy.

 

[PCollen]

Hey guys!

So, what's your opinion on the American Special Telecaster? Is it a "legit" USA Telecaster?

I love the fact that it has the "Modern C" neck, my favorite Fender neck, but... I heard that the American Special Telecaster is not a "legit" USA Made Telecaster because of being built with Mexican hardware (?), woods (?) and random surplus Telecaster parts... Is this true and should I believe this?

I want a "100% pure" tradicional Telecaster. Not vintage, but a legit USA Made Telecaster do add to my blasphemous HH "Hot Rod" MIM Telecaster, that I tune in C standard for doom/stoner/sludge metal...

I want a "traditional" Telecaster for E standard tuning for a more indie/alt/funk/soul/ska/rock repertoire.

Does the American Special Telecaster fit the bill or should I just aim for the American Professional?

I really really like the fact that the American Special, is "American", has the "Modern C" neck and that is a lot cheaper...

Any and all ideas on this are very welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Daniel

The Am Spcl Tele is made in the USA and is NOT built with "Mexican" hardware..who told you that BS. What hardware were you told is Mexican ? Give me a list and I'll set you straight ....

 

[PCollen]

The American Special Tele. Is a great MIA guitar for the money. i bought one a couple years ago.
To be honest, i dont like the Jumbo frets. Im used to vintage necks and frets. (7.25 radius and little frets.)
A dealer/tech friend liked the neck alot, but played an American Standard with smaller frets. We swapped necks and now we're both happy.

I had an Am Spcl, and sold it. I too finally decided that I liked the medium jumbo frets like the Amer. Standard has better. And I absolutely HATE those new tall-narrow frets Fender is now using on the American Pro Strats and Teles, and others...

 

[fatcat]

Legit.
Yes
No question.