Fender American Telecasters - What's the difference?

In this video we take a look at a Telecaster from each of Fender's current USA ranges, The Performer, American Original, American Professional and the American Elite.
We do a quick pickup tone comparison for each guitar using a Vox AC30 S1.
Gear used:
American Performer - astrings.co.uk/...
American Professional - astrings.co.uk/...
American Elite - astrings.co.uk/...
American Original '60s - astrings.co.uk/...
Vox AC30S1 - astrings.co.uk/....

[@daveshamir729]

I recently bought the American Performer in satin sonic blue (as seen in this video). I've been playing it non-stop ever since (apologies to my '75 sunburst stratocaster which I bought second hand over 35 years ago. I'll show you some love again real soon...). Fender really got it right here on every level. The great Yosemite pickup configuration and grease-bucket tone control knob provide an amazing range of nuance and allow you maximum control of the usually shrilly bridge pickup. The satin C-neck is a dream to play and the jumbo frets assure great sustain and feeling with every bend. This is what a musician's telecaster should be about -- and the price point is really impressive.

[@mynamesjondowell]

Just bought a performer tele with the humbucker in the neck on Tuesday. I haven't touched my musicman guitars since I bought the tele. Such an awesome line of telecasters

[@boomerdell]

@@mynamesjondowell I am so torn between the Performer SS and HS. Both are amazing! I want to pick one up, so it seriously might come down to a coin toss.

[@derekmudd9331]

Just got the performer hs. It is exactly how you described. As if it is a custom guitar built for your taste.

[@diegodandrea6091]

Original '60s... SUPER

[@antonioalbares]

Diego D'andrea by far the best looking and Sounding!

[@GuyCabliaro]

Trying to put the $ together for the 60s American Original. I played a Pro II today. It's a perfectly good axe at that price point, but the Original is special.

[@robertclinger7351]

You can always change pickups, locking tuners, and bridge saddles, but I love the playability of the Elite, with arm cut, belly cut, rounded heel, and I love compound radius fingerboards. They're very easy to play.

[@stevengiordano9179]

I have the performer and the proffesional and they are by far the finest guitars I have ever owned and I have owned just about every model from Les Pauls by Gibson to top of the line Strats to Reverend guitars and most in between including Ibanez and nothing has ever come close to what my Telecasters can do. Never been happier with a guitar in my life and these are absolute keepers. I just can't believe it took me twenty years of playing to finnaly fall in love with a guitar and the Telecaster gives me everything I ever wanted in a guitar and more. In my opinion you will never find a better guitar than a Telecaster. It is a dream to play and the sounds you can get from it are second to none. Be it the yosemite pickups or the Tim Shaw designed pickups, either way you can't lose. If four thinking Tele don't hesitate in my opinion you won't find a better guitar!

[@davidclifford9833]

As you have the performer and the professional. I'm looking at these guitars. The pro ii has a slightly deeper neck. I have small hands. Do you think the extra thickness has a significant affect? Thanks for any reply

[@Ledzepfan88]

@@davidclifford9833 I'm sorry he hasn't responded yet, don't ya hate that when you ask for input lol. my advice would be go to a music shop and play the different neck profiles

[@Ledzepfan88]

@@davidclifford9833 I personally love deeper necks, it's not going to be chunky like the American original, logically when there's more mass there will be more material for the energy to transfer to. Thicker neck, thicker tone. I find large necks awesome, a proper mitfull gives ungodly sustain lol 😂

[@davidclifford9833]

@@Ledzepfan88 Got an ultra in the end. Still can't play like Jimmy Page despite the JP plectrum.

[@christiandiaz]

Just got the performer in the same sonic satin blue and I absolutely love everything about it

[@ScragNath]

Played Strats for over 40 years, never interested in Tele's until last month. Bought a 50's Butterscotch Blonde Tele and absolutely love it. It compares to my PRS customs and Gretsch axes.

[@sandysquirrel1496]

I got the performer in the same color, and it’s just great. Perfect. Have no complaints whatsoever.

[@johnnymcquinn6025]

Performer is awesome, I got one when they were the special. But the 60's won in looks & amazing sound! Put yourself in for comission I am buying one!!

[@wastrel09]

yeah but I heard the neck is uncomfortable on 60s

[@erhnam]

@@wastrel09 I tried one last week and I was really disappointed with the neck. It was on the thicker side compared to a modern C.

[@ymjerimloaiciga552]

@@wastrel09 if you have tiny hands maybe, I have fairly small hands and this neck is comfortable from chording to leads.

[@prodbyiof]

Performer 4:43 Bridge 4:53 Mid 5:04 Neck Prof 5:20 Brige 5:33 Mid 5:45 Neck 60s 6:01 Bridge 6:14 Mid 6:28 Neck Elite 6:45 Bridge 7:00 Mid 7:15 Neck Elite Switch 7:32 Bridge

[@bradleyhohner8775]

I am very happy with my new Performer, just like the one featured. I dressed it up a bit and installed Glendale brass saddles. Maybe I'm partial, but it has the most "rounded" sound to me....hitting on many of the Tele nuances that are collectively immemorial.

[@1969Donovan]

Just ordered a performer will be here tomorrow.

[@dowleylama3824]

Performer sound best to my taste and my style.Great demo Adam you made them all sound great.

[@markpeters7772]

The performer was the brightest, I tried them all and bought the Performer in the Honey finish. Great demo, you used the same riffs across the board to you could really get an equal comparison

[@TheHorrorFreak]

That 60’s speaks to me the most

[@lanthaniated1]

Original in blue then performer for value, thanks for the review

[@supermarketfantasy7471]

I love telecaster very much !! Sound and looks are very good !

[@N37L]

To me, in reality, the nuanced variations here will be obliterated by a different amp/venue/strings/beer. If it feels good and stays in tune its a good guitar and we all know you only need one more!

[@gregdenis5191]

Good post !!

[@Gabe-1997]

Agreed, even when I see the transition from one guitar to the next, I can barely hear a difference in tone. The choice really comes down to feel, appearance, and price.

[@tmoatthe89]

i have got both the Professional and Performer Tele and they are both fantastic! Very important to say that there is no sign of quality downgrading on the Performer Tele in terms of playability or sound. Yes, the tuners, the bridge and the pickups are a bit cheaper on the Performer Tele and there is no hard case included in the price. The Yosemite pickups produce a slightly higher output than the V Mods in the Pro. The performer has an excellent money-performance value!

[@pkerngast]

I just ordered a performer (with the humbucker pu on the neck) I would be interested what strings you prefer with the performer?

[@tmoatthe89]

@@pkerngast I am using the fender 250L 09 Set, both on the Tele´s and also on my Strat. I think the fender 250L was also the "factory" string set. I like it and I always order the 250L. But this is only one opinion:) Enjoy your Tele ;)

[@victorramsey5575]

I just got an excellent deal on a Brand New Performer Tele in Vintage White. Its the one with a humbucker in the neck which can be tapped with the push/pull tone pot. Ive never been a big Tele fan but for some reason when I entered the store I spotted it right away and had to play it. Man is it VERY nice, especially at the price they had it marked down to. I play mostly rock and metal but I already have an old 90s Gibson LP Standard and a mid-2000s Prestige RG2550z. So I was looking for something different. I actually was looking to find a decent SSS Strat but this Tele was looking right at me the minute I walked in. Like it knew I was coming for it before I did! LOL! Such a sweet sweet guitar. The old rocker from Tennessee and the metal head from Japan are playing together quite nicely with their new hottie roommate from California.

[@pkerngast]

what strings you prefer with the humbucker tele?

[@ulknatmelknatu]

Nice demo. Informative and sounds great! Subscribed.

[@StillTcB]

I got the professional. The neck is like butter … really smooth

[@billbrayley6836]

Just picked up a Performer in Satin Sonic Blue. I was a bit concerned it would be too hot clean. Not the case. Not super glassy cleans but I think that has more to do with the rosewood board. What I got were nice warm cleans and all the Tele snarl I wanted overdriven. Thanks for the video. It was a great reference when I made my purchase!

[@shaunw9270]

I like them all , but the Original 60's & Performer appeal to me most . I actually like the Elite because it's so similar to a late 70's Schecter that Townshend played when I was young ,that I liked at the time .

[@BigEdWo]

well, i have the elite and i'm not very objective probably. great comparison by the way. i think they all sound great.

[@alanjoseph6799]

I’ve tried each series before I decided to settle for the Elite model which I found to have a bit more edge in terms of quality, tonality & playability. I also found the ebony fretboard has richer tone, the shape of the neck is awesome which caters for any styles of playing. The S1 switch with the gen 4 noiseless pick ups slightly differentiates the sound from a traditional Tele. Such a versatile guitar!

[@robjgolde3221]

Gotta say, the Performer and the Original both stole the show here. I have a Squier CV Tele Custom that I was looking to put brass saddles, a 4-way switch and new pickups in, and those Yosemite pickups might be what i end up going with. I love the way the Am Pro Tele feels to play, but the pickups don’t do it for me. Too much attack on the unwound strings versus too little attack on the wound strings.

[@DB-hv3fn]

The professional hands down

[@DbarRay]

for the clean song, I love the Professional. With distortion I'm liking the Elite, but the Professional is a close second. Thanks for the demo, oh decisions, decisions.

[@artamussumatra6286]

Great demo, thanks. I got the Pro. Super nice Axe, the only change I’ve made is put on a set of deluxe staggered locking tuners.

[@chrismorgan7494]

I have that American Professional Tele in butterscotch blonde with maple neck. I'm very happy with it. The neck pup is very Strat-like, which is what I like about it. They all sounded great.

[@mikesk2]

Love my performer

[@chemo86]

Great video, I just wish you had also included the Player. Thanks!

[@marklewis7484]

I love this, hope there’s a Jazzmaster one too!

[@frooke2]

Nice Phil Campbell Easter Egg. Living Welsh rock and roll national treasure!

[@eaglewindrider7700]

I’m a happy owner of the Tele pro nice demo 👍🔥🎸🦅

[@roberthoule9693]

I liked the Professional and the Elite, too. I chose by ear. The Elite has too much stuff... so the Performer won out, for me. thanks

[@jdh9676]

l liked the Performer most. Great tones. Exactly what I expect from a Tele. Elite second choice. Nice warm tones. The S1 switch is awesome. Original next. Good tones and grit. Nice and dirty. Professional comes last. Good stuff but somewhat too bright for me. Somewhere between a Strat and Tele. I'm not a musician just a music lover an guitar aficionado using my ears🙂

[@joshboydguitar]

Original 60's the best for me!

[@ZoogieBAR]

Nice presentation Adam, thank you! I'd go for the "Professional". Better mids in my opinion. If noise is a problem, then the Elite. Fender can leave out the Stealth switch, it's a bonus I suppose but I've never used it.

[@chrismorgan7494]

I found my AP to be fairly and surprisingly quiet. I'm a Fuzz lover to boot.

[@brcarson99]

I like the bridge sound on the Pro and the neck pickup sound on the Performer.

[@daijones101]

Performer best sound and value

[@lperry65]

Great video, I bought the performa in vintage white 🙂

[@georgemercer3013]

I love them all... depends what type music your playing

[@Rigz727]

Thanks for that, I’m wanting a Tele, very soon either pro or original so it nice to see this vid up😉👍🏻. Good vid also!

[@magickb7255]

performer is too hot for me and elite is too bright, and pro is in the right choice. love the 60s but not in favor of its bridge sound

[@DeltaJazzUK]

Great comparison. Original for me, makes the others sound like toys.

[@keesketsers5866]

I preferred the Pro and Elite Tele's, but preferred the Performer Strat. I actually never thought I would like the Elite tele but it has a nice sort of "modern" pure an honoust sound, not colored (if that makes sense). In my opinion offcourse.....

[@JimmyRadloff]

They all sound like Telecasters....hard to pick a clear cut winner there. I have a MIJ 62 reissue with upgraded electronics and a 4 way switch. It sounds pretty awesome.

[@trevguitar8169]

American Performer Tele Hum in Vintage White, beautiful guitar very versatile. Great video

[@martinelmore7112]

Trev Guitar, I have the exact same guitar and I love mine! I named it Puddin' because that's what that color always reminds me of!

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

I personally think they are all unique in their own ways

[@continentalaquatics2725]

I liked the Elite and the Professional...in that order!

[@ioodyssey3740]

Cool. I have a butterscotch Player Tele with these “Plus-Deluxe” upgrades by me - Vintage Fender bridge and tuners, Wilkinson's compensated saddles, Mojotone ’52 Quiet Coil pickups, Lucky Dog gnarly knobs, angled-switch cover-plate, and a three string tree to stop the g-string ring behind the nut. It's a great guitar. I love the satin back/glossy top maple neck. For me it just blows away anything else under a grand.

[@patriotic80]

I have an 06 deluxe I love it . Love the contoured back as well

[@lesshrubb203]

Very happy with my Performer. Only difference is, mine has a maple neck. Great guitar for the price!

[@KingfisherLtd]

Since November 2019 I'm happy owner of vintage blonde tele performer. I love this guitar and playing it everyday makes want to live:D

[@Bikewithlove]

I’ve been looking at these comparison videos & I can’t hear any difference in sound in these and other Teles - they all sound like a Tele, and they sound great. I once found a Tele body in the trash, put a new Squier maple neck on it, rebuilt it, and it sounded just like these. HOWEVER... the different kinds of Telecasters FEEL different, and the more expensive ones play a lot better because it’s how the materials interact with each other when you play it. I once played a friend’s American Fender P bass, and it was a world apart from any of the affordable basses I had. It was smooth as butter, and it SANG! A pro guitar is built for musicality, whereas all other guitars are built for learning and appreciation.

[@ahmetayaz41]

i d go with the performer either . that sonic blue finish is gorgeous by the way

[@andischmidt3334]

American Original.. by a mile :O

[@thereformedrant9592]

I agree!

[@DeltaJazzUK]

@@thereformedrant9592 So do I.

[@jorgesilva6454]

Can you do the same video but with MIM Strats and Teles? Happy New Year!!

[@darrellskinner5263]

Picked up a pro in ‘19. Added a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue with 12” Cannabis Rex last December. Nice duo, defo need to spend more time with them. The acoustics are too easy to just pick up and play.

[@TRose-hc9pv]

I love them all!

[@jimmyjimmy951]

I have a 2008 US Standard which. is as good as any of the modern stock IMO. Hard to justify a change but if I was buying it would be the 60’s just because it looks awesome in the blue. 👍🇦🇺

[@andreshermosillo7465]

It’s impossible to find the black elite with a maple fretboard now

[@michaelpeters3410]

and what about the Original 50? I can't decide between the Original 50 and the Elite...

[@enricofiori7641]

Thank you Adam, this is a very interesting and useful video! For me the best is the professional. I’m curious to know what do you thin about vintera in comparison with American performer (the price is not so different) . Many thanks!

[@golds04]

Imo unless made poorly- the sound comes mostly from setup Amp setting setting on guitar and touch. I think it’s all how it feels in your hands. Just my opinion

[@Degenpilot]

I’d pick the 60s I bought one different color 3 amber sweet guitar I’m curious tho about the new ultra if the 60s is better than the ultra?

[@Chikalita2]

I'm thinking the same thing!!!

[@daltonbrennan8242]

Was the action high on the original 60s? That's the only reason I'm holding out right now

[@vyvynylification]

Very late reply but it is hard to compare the ultra vs the AO60. They're too different. Imho they're different enough to own one of each! I want that texas tea ultra and burgundy mist AO60 ^_^

[@danhworth100]

think I liked professional clean and original with distortion.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Just found you. SUBBED! Great stuff!

[@23skidoo46]

the Yosemites are amazing for the price. My 2nd favorite tele pickup right behind the twisteds. I don't care which model, give me a double bound seafoam green tele with maple neck with gloss board and satin back and I'm there.

[@charlie-obrien]

I recently built my own Strat and put the Yosemite p/u's in it and they sounded so good I got a set for my Nashville Telecaster!

[@plenaryverbalist]

The Elite is dark for a Telecaster. Which is kinda odd. Almost like it’s made for modern country in which “twangy” is a bad word. The old saying that a good Les Paul sounds like a fat Telecaster made me think of that guitar….but if you want a Les Paul, get a Les Paul. It really doesn’t sound like a Telecaster to me. I’ve never played a Tele neck I couldn’t get used to. I love the binding on the 60s one. I think you can’t really go wrong with the other three, and you couldn’t go wrong with the Elite if that’s the sound you’re going for.

[@saddle8bag]

Clean I preferred the Pro. With gain, didn't make much difference. I'd go with the Elite for the noiseless if distortion was my thing.

[@Noodles_5]

I can't make a decision, but I like the professional and the elite sound. I zhink/mean they have more "modern sound". Not so much twang as the 60. In the end I would take each of this great guitars!!!

[@gitr1]

i have the professional with the rosewood neck. so far, I love it

[@wastrel09]

how is the new neck design?

[@gitr1]

wastrel09 it is great. Love the feel, fit and finish. Smooth player

[@danhworth100]

That elite had a thick sound.

[@rogermoore2798]

Great vid....am wanting a tele.....looking for a baja tele to be honest.

[@mohammedfarija8758]

If you don’t find one used, as they’re discontinued, go for the 50s vintera modified. It’s the same guitar just with a satin neck, which I prefer but some like the vintage gloss.

[@sonicwarfare6401]

Keith Clark well, yes and no. The 50s vintera is the same guitar with a different name

[@bjdhgj]

I have the Professional 2017 natural finish. I am thinking about changing the pickups to the vintage 64s set. Sounds more telecaster to my ears. What do you think?

[@michaelvarney.]

I love the pro...

[@vadeiltonsilva5272]

eu estou interessado em comprá pra mim essa guitarra Fender Telecaster American Profissional

[@Chikolad]

To me it sounded like the original had a louded output and the professional had a lower output. So the original sounded louder and dirtier, which makes the comparison harder

[@Larry_Mott]

Bit of a Pepsi challenge at times :) I have the performer and liked it and the '60 best

[@bikesfred]

perfomer for me not that keen on the professional but we all have our own taste in tone.

[@peted450]

The professional is nice, but also like the elite.

[@puppyd0gs]

The elite has so much tambre and sustain.

[@MYZ8]

to each its own

[@slobodanarodu2005]

How come this beautiful but simply model guitar is priced so disproportionate high? Nowadays prices are nonsense

[@randomchannel4886]

Double bound teles are badass. Any other tele reminds me of the ugly les paul studio

[@jannejaakkola5836]

Not a golden ear by any stretch of the imagination, but to me it is a toss up between Professional and the Performer. The bridge on Pro is a touch better imho, but like em both. Elite sounds a bit too "good" or synthetic for my taste and 60s seems to have somehow more gainy bridge.

[@robertbrown8416]

to be honest!!! The Bars I play in Nobody would really give a shitt. they are all Drunk anyway

[@TK-pd9lb]

I prefer the "pro" too!

[@cesalt2408]

The 60s and Elite are so close, I wouldn’t spring for the extra $$. For my money the Pro is excellent.

[@thelowmein9143]

For a relative novice, how much difference does rosewood versus maple fingerboard make on tone?

[@luckyjinxer]

Absolutely none. To my ears, anyways.

[@jonasmink2426]

The tone difference is very minor but I prefere maple fretboards because of the playability. The surface is smoother compared to rosewood. But that's also a very minor difference. Just go for what looks better to you

[@guilhermejrmarin]

In tone NONE.It's all about feeling and aesthetics,personal preference. But the MYTH is that Maple is brighter.I personally prefer Maple,it looks better IMO and is more smooth to the touch

[@shaunw9270]

To me if you want a twangy 50's rock n roll machine , it's maple neck & brass saddles or if it's a more metallic clean & a crunchy Kinksy more 60's vibe , it's rosewood fretboard & steel saddles . Telecasters are just awesome imo . Interesting they dropped the 7.25" neck rad completely . I wish they hadn't discontinued the Pure Vintage series tbh , that whole series was so cool , especially the Strats , but that's another story lol 😊👍

[@shaunw9270]

@@guilhermejrmarin .. I find the one piece maple neck to not necessarily be brighter ,but have a faster attack than a separate rosewood fretboard, kind of more snappy . In most cases it's felt rather than heard admittedly 👍

[@KFJames71]

I prefer the Performer.

[@jacksprat3009]

The original sounded thin. The Elite had the fullest sound. the others sounded the same to me.

[@wildsales8852]

Just picked up an American Pro(same as the one on the vid) for 600 bucks :-)

[@Dave-rk2nl]

good luck in picking up an original 60s...,there sitting in the 3s used

[@robertrosejr1]

Professional or original

[@Chris00703]

What's the song played during 6:33 ?

[@gunsguitarsrccarz4131]

Not Bad.. But its like Ford Or Chevy.. i will always Love Stratocasters.. And Chevy

[@hopeyouguessmyname5151]

tele with a voxAC30 amp