Playing Fender's STRANGEST Telecaster!

How strange does a Telecaster have to be before it ceases being a Tele? Today I look at a guitar that pushes the boundaries of what a telecaster can be! - The Incredible JA-90!
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[@SeanFication]

Have to disagree with you there. The "Acoustasonic Telecaster" is the strangest Tele.

[@geraldgetskow3420]

And I want oh so badly. I've been imagining a guitar just like it and then I saw it a couple of weeks ago and decided I wanted one immediately. too bad my financial sitch is holding me back ... for now.

[@revenant235]

Indeed!

[@schizoinstereo]

...and the ugliest.

[@fattybobillatty]

tc-90 is pretty weird to.

[@theyoungpeoplepodcast2859]

No the acoustasonic isnt even a telecaster. The body is the only thing thats tele

[@psykoklown874]

Is it a Gender or a Fibson?

[@gostrum1]

Isn’t Gender or Fender specific

[@wijk89]

You are so dichitome. Gender and Fibson? The reality is much more fluid than that.

[@tokillthedragon]

Psyko Klown did you just assume my Fibson?

[@internationalhouseofpancak8333]

"FENDER TELECASTER" => "TENDER CEREAL-FEST" Put this anagram into your pipe and smoke it, Fender 😂

[@patrickonastick_]

Fendson

[@jensbjorklund6584]

Jim Root of Slipknot has a pretty unconventional signature telecaster as well. Maybe it's just something with Jims and weird teles?

[@jensbjorklund6584]

@Virgil Grin Im not a tele expert, but telecasters with mahogany body, ebony fretboard, c shape necks and active dual humbuckers don't seem standard

[@jensbjorklund6584]

@Virgil Grin maybe so, but it it still isn't a "conventional" fender telecaster

[@hanifaryo2303]

@@jensbjorklund6584 Jim Root used to play a flathead teles, his signature models are reflections of them. Yes, flathead tele is a custom shop model but it is commonly known as an "off the rack" shred tele.

[@indigotheindieghost7214]

It's all about the alternative rock F-the-mainstream attitude

[@andyboo23]

I like this 😅😅

[@flowride68]

Gibson: "Play authentic." Fender: "Hold my beer."

[@zimbonomanian4267]

You gotta make a cheap vs high end electronics sound test video.. maybe by upgrading this tele

[@hkguitar1984]

I agree, it's almost like the tone pots had very little effect. I would imagine those Seymour Duncan pickups are lower quality that you could purchase separately (another way to save costs). To my ears I've certainly heard better sounding P90 guitars. Just new pots, maybe pickups and a new toggle switch for sure. About that pickup selector switch, the body isn't thick enough for a standard Gibson toggle, and the route size wouldn't allow an SG style switch to fit either. That could be an issue.

[@longlivegarybusey6409]

Darrell Braun: "Fender has never been afraid of trying new things." John Mayer: "Oh really?"

[@guntherabrahamowicz4659]

Fender is generally like an American "Mexican" franchise eatery. They have about a dozen ingredients they mix-and-match occasionally.

[@GrungeyMr]

in reality, what really is the difference between the silver sky and the strat? headstock and body shape is slightly different? different voiced pickups? bird inlays? its not all that "original" or new. Most likely just a marketing thing and not born out of "necessity" as john insinuated.

[@longlivegarybusey6409]

@@GrungeyMr Worlds current most popular guitar player says "I want my guitar made this way", Fender said no. So he left. I'd leave too. I don't care if I ask you to make me a guitar with square strings. Make the damn guitar. I'm the one bringing your company money using my name.

[@RicardoAldana1988]

SilverSky has an angled neck..

[@briancoyne6700]

Hey Darrell, I was at Guitar Center today and I heard your voice. Actually it was a couple of teenagers consulting your channel on their phone to learn more about a guitar they were considering. I thought that was freakin cool and I had to tell you. Rock on!

[@kurdtjohn]

Probably watched this more than 5x just because I love Jimmy Eat World and this is my favorite Telecaster model in existence.

[@rogueleader1996]

Myself as well. One day... I will buy this.

[@guitorb]

The nail scratches on the plate tell me that you've been playing the heck out of it. Considering that wall of beauties hanging behind you I'll accept that as a ringing endorsement of this guitar.

[@chrishorne9848]

Thanks for the review. I just ordered one.

[@ILiveAmongLions]

Jim Adkins talked about the design of the guitar in the Jimmy Eat World rig rundown on Premier Guitar a while back in case anyone wanted to learn more about the odd style of this guitar.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

Ooh, thanks. I do like a rig rundown.

[@andyboo23]

Yeah I saw that quite recently. Great vid

[@andrewfaucett6915]

Jim Adkins also claims that the guitars he plays are exactly the same as what the average person can buy with the exception of string gauge.

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

I'm really surprised that it's branded as a Fender rather than a Squier, considering that it's Indonesian.

[@athallaaryaseta4023]

Actually Indonesian quality depends on what spare parts they sent cause a lot of hi end other guitar companies also made in Indonesia.

[@gingerbeer914]

@@athallaaryaseta4023 Indonesia is the place where they make the Squier Vintage Modified series. I have a nice sonic blue VM Jazzmaster. I bet they use the same 3-way toggle switch. Btw, beware that the thread on those switches is THINNER than the standard available switch caps. We tried to replace a broken black plastic cap with a brass one on a white jazzmaster, but it didn't fit. They're 0.5 mm off. My buddy says he going to use CA glue as a filler, because he badly wants a brass cap that can't break and looks cool. Btw: The fact that they use CorTek pots could mean that Cort Indonesia is the maker. I love Cort Korea for all kinds of guitars they made (think Ibanez Premium).

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

@@athallaaryaseta4023 Oh, no doubt. I have a Squier Bass VI that's excellent, and it was made in Indonesia. I'm not taking a crack at the Indonesian people, I just didn't realize that there were Fenders that weren't made in Mexico, USA, or Japan.

[@ErikJensenDetroit]

@@athallaaryaseta4023 Or I guess Korea, like the Lite Ash Telecaster I used to have.

[@jacksonhornady7474]

I have an Indonesian made Squier Affinity Strat that is and awesome guitar. I love it.

[@guitar8617]

Bought a used JA-90 a few years ago and dropped in some noiseless Lindy Fralin p90's, such a great sounding combination

[@jjdillon2007]

It's so Gibsonesque, it's a shame they didn't go with a 12" fingerboard radius.

[@hiroprotagonitis]

The original doublecut JA90 had a 12"radius I think

[@craigusselman546]

Gibsonesque its an LP in a Tele body.

[@mrz80]

@@craigusselman546 It's a TelePaul. I've also seen guys put three singles and a vibrato on for a TeleStrat, and Tele pickups and the big metal bridge on a Strat for a StratoTele. The possibilities are endless! :D

[@burtonkephart6239]

And humbuckers

[@osirisblaster]

@@hiroprotagonitis the double cutaway guitar that the JA-90 was based on is called a TC-90. It has a 9.5in radius fingerboard.

[@SpazzKazz]

I don’t think the pots and switches matter if you can’t tell from playing it

[@mrz80]

Mostly it's a question of longevity and reliability. You don't want to have a switch or pot suddenly go sideways on you halfway through a song. :D

[@TheFarout69]

^^ what he said- switches are often the first to go bad. Then the pots get scratchy or eventually fail. The good stuff lasts for decades.

[@ReifSpano1]

The Merle Haggard Tele has been around a long time, and has a set neck.

[@jameshill2015]

The set neck should have been done YEARS ago! My tele is one of the least expensive guitars l own at $450.. it is made by Wolf, it has a 5 peice neck thru design, walnut deck ash body, ebony board, the neck is mahogany/ash/walnut and has a graphite nut. Swithed out tree to Graphtech, pick ups to SD vintage Hotstacks, took off the standard chrome tele knobs and threw on some sweet walnut knobs and it is one of my favorite guitars.. sustain is as good as it gets, the heel? Omg! Its so smooth and contoured it is the easiest to play by far, the frets were FAR better than l was expecting for simply $450.. l only polished the light oxidation off them and they were done.. likely not a Jescar wire but it works, very level which again..l was not expecting. My favorite tele Fender makes is the "Tuff Dog" signature Waylon l think it is..not sure but its gorgeous and also has that set neck contoured..lil too much$$$ for me but its so nice. Why is it a company can offer a neck through, 5 wood, ebony board guitar for under $500 but a company like Fender offers set neck (not even Neck-Thru) and it breaks the bank? Should they not move into the 21st Century before the 22nd Century? I know their machining and CNC is all set up for the ol tried and true bolt on stuff..it does work l get that but hell..so did rotary phones and 8 tracks.. you shouldn't produce and sell guitars with "if its not broke, dont fix it" attitude about modernizing and not giving people a guitar that IS worth the selling price. Todays tech is off the chain but you wouldn't know it by Fenders guitar line.. going from a 3-way to a 5-way pickup selector is not exactly "Keeping up with the Joneses" maybe a NEW body style or how about SS frets? Maybe a serious quality bridge? Something not made out of a flat plate with a bend and some holes drilled in it or stamped steel saddles..its 2020.. Fenders trem should be better than a Vega trem after all these years but no..lets make it 2pt and wait another 50 years to make a change. Enjoyed the vid...THANKS!

[@fongy200]

Valid points Jim. and these giant guitar firms are holding on by the skin of their teeth now as the growing number of musicians are playing instruments comissioned elsewhere. And who can blame them? You have the likes of PRS and Ibanez and Reverend who seem to understand and so we see their products start to become reknown for being the better alternative. I am a lefty so my choices are limited straight away, well almost i can play right side over but i am predominantly left handed and get charged a premium because of that so more independent Luthiers are always my prefered option but i still love collecting guitars, left or right handed.

[@SammyBoiBeThicc08]

I think if it sounds good and plays good, who cares if it counts as a “tele” or not. That said, I have a deluxe semi hollow tele with p90s and I absolutely love it. Great vid as always! (Also you should collaborate with samuraiguitarist)

[@stratplayr6997]

Wow, that really is a nice sounding guitar! I do like the set neck construction, shorter scale length & P90's. OTOH, if I got one, I'd wind up swapping out all the electronics & tuners for higher grade parts. Too bad Fender didn't have an MIA version of this.

[@gliblyaware]

I have a squire tele from the early 2000's with a 24.75 scale length. Love it!

[@glahome1]

$825 new for an Indonesian guitar? No. Just saying. For this price I would find a good deal on a used American Tele. Just saying.

[@bubbasouth69]

glahome1 same is true for D’Angelico.

[@smwallace2368]

Speaking from experience, I could not agree more.

[@johnnyguitar65]

The Fender special edition Tele with dual Pearly Gates humbuckers ...string through body....set neck...tummy cut....mahogany body....is a great guitar and very un-tele-like.

[@85jongo]

I've had this guitar in the crimson transparent finish for about a year now. I have about 10 guitars total but this is my favorite. It feels great to play with the semi-hollow body/shorter scale and the P90s pack a lot of oomph. It also looks amazing in the crimson color.

[@sammiam10019]

I totally agree!

[@danbolingable]

I have had mine (crimson) about 3 years now and enjoy playing it. It was used, but mint condition and purchased from Guitar Center for $700 bucks (not easy to find). I have about 30 guitars to include high end brands/models. I rate this one 8.5 on a scale of 10.

[@ResoBridge]

I have one of the 2004 double cut TC-90s in vintage white. These are excellent guitars, although only around 1,400 were made by the Korean factory for Fender. Jim Adkins was playing a TC-90 so that is what this signature guitar is based on. The tuners on my TC-90 are fine.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Times and gear I used in this video listed below :) 1. Detailed walkthrough - 2:00 2. Tone Test - 9:45 3. One Minute Solo - 13:23 4. Final Thoughts -14:38 Guitar: imp.i114863.net/QDNv3 Amp - Mesa Boogie Blue Angel Overdrive tones - True North Tweed Drive Distortion Tones - REVV G3 Mics - E906 and SR25 Enjoy :)

[@wisnunomink7202]

Indonesia? I thought we only have squire one

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Don't forget to pin it for it to remain on top of messages.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

There's one of these at the my local guitar store, it's really awesome.

[@TJJJJJJJJJJJ]

Your the best daz! I remember asking you not so long ago if you could do a review on this guitar ! Thanks heaps

[@tomelliott2264]

I have a tc 90. Since the year they came out. Loved it and still love it. I'm glad you think it's superior. For a moderately priced decent guitar I've always felt I got my money's worth. I didn't mind the tones from that guitar. But I also am not in the same room with it

[@MikeLee-lg5vq]

24 3/4 scale length?!?! On a Tele?!?! Blasphemy.

[@raphaelmartinez736]

only fire will cleanse its sins!

[@EvelynRoods]

Mike Lee they also had a sort of superstrat in Tele clothing with a 14.75 inch fingerboard radius and Seymour Duncan humbuckers.

[@P_Ezi]

Agreed. The short scale just never feels - or sounds - right to me. Shorter scale feels sloppy and hard to control, and the looser strings just never quite sound right. 9's on a short scale? Why?

[@tokillthedragon]

Raphael Martinez send this guitar to purgatory

[@semikolon6440]

P Daddy If you have for example 10s on a fender scale and find the shorter one too sloppy, just up the strings to 11 (hehe), that should do the job. But 9s on there really are strange..

[@benjaminjohnlong]

the guitar is heavily based on the the TC-90 that fender made for only a couple years prior to the release of this guitar, Jim talks about it in the bands rig rundown at premier guitar... I have had a TC-90 since 2007, and as a jimmy eat world fan and wanting a less rare guitar to use live instead of the tc-90 I bought a JA-90... Both are beautiful and I love them both! I also have a standard tele and a blacktop tele that i've modded to have one humbucker/volume knob

[@benjaminjohnlong]

wrote this before i saw the final thoughts where you mention the tc-90 haha

[@13soulz]

That guitar already came out in 2005 Korean made.. chamber master series. Still got mine 😁 it was a sorta tele Les Paul Seymour Duncan inspired hums.. sustain was incredible .. anyways it’s a throwback to 2005

[@0N3T1tan]

That was a great bit of playing there at the end!

[@vencemcadams2927]

Love the clean tones. Would love to hear with a humbucker in the bridge.

[@robinleebraun7739]

It’s a Telecaster Deluxe with a Gibson bridge and P-90s instead of humbuckers. I built something like this from a kit last year.

[@3cardmonty602]

That’s a great Tele. I love P90’s. I would buy it in a second. I love the shorter scale.

[@byronofcalgary6985]

these followed the Korean Set Neck Tele's... Squier Master Series. 2004 Thinline with a short plate Tele bridge. 2005 was a Chambered Mahogany Body & Mahog. Neck too ! both are 24 3/4" scale. Both are Loud unplugged ! Thinline has a square heel ...chambered is shaped

[@timmiller4205]

It's a LP with a Tele shape body...,.. Not A Telecaster☯️⚡️☮️

[@guntherabrahamowicz4659]

Tele shape, Fender on the headstock, it's a telecaster, period. They own the name, if they say it is one, it is one.

[@rutiger6901]

All this name calling!? LP, TELE, Squier!? Look at the writing on the headstock. That should go a long way to clarifying the origin of this guitar. It's a thing of great beauty with sound to match.

[@dlux703]

I have a similar Squire "Telecaster Custom" with Duncan P90's and the same control layout, though different bridge. I love it and have to say my P90's are nowhere near as noisy as that guitar. Mine came with a one-piece maple neck with the skunk stripe truss rod rout and, I think, the same tuners. So, there "is" a more reasonably priced alternative to that guitar aside from the set neck and lightened/f-hole body design. I'm a real fan of P90 pickups, especially the SD Phat Cat set. Your demos are always great to hear and watch and it's clear from the wall behind you that you're a Tele fan, big time.

[@philiprennison9347]

I have a JA 90 in the transparent red, beautiful finish. Is it A Fender Les Paul or a Gibson Telecaster? Either way brilliant playable guitar I love it! Yes there have been compromises from a cost point of view but they don't affect playability which is ultimately what it's about.

[@mdaniels3383]

I have the JA-90 in trans black and it's without a doubt in my top 3 guitars. I own several teles; this one is dynamite. Love it in the natural, too. Good video.

[@rustywoods464]

I bought a white one. Love it!

[@byronofcalgary6985]

love the Seymour Duncan pickups - "Duncan Designed" will always impress you for a week and then... naaah - google "Squier Master Series Telecaster" - chambered mahogany body + set mahogany neck - Gibson Scale + bridge - - bound neck & body - 2005 only - KC ser # like the 2001 set neck tele with shaped top + edges - both are a huge leap over Standard Squier set necks & very close to the Fender

[@stephenquick3370]

I’d like to see a comparison to the Squier Telecaster Custom II with P-90’s if you ever get the chance.

[@BoltRM]

The gap between Squier and Fender gets closer & closer. I like it! 💪

[@c72367]

I could borrow mine, but I may be too far a way :) It's a fantastic guitar for its price.

[@sammiam10019]

I have both and love them. I just got a red Jim Adkins that is my new #1

[@houldeyj72]

Hi Darrel, have you had a look at some of the Reverend guitars? Good to see the coverage you give to the non G or F guitars such as the D Angelico stuff. I like their retro modern styling, and Joe Naylor seems to meet the needs of working guitarists

[@bentackett6299]

I AM having a great day! Thanks 😊

[@theoversouls]

I love the idea of this guitar but the pickups sound really muddy on the demos I've heard so far.

[@MichaelD8393]

I thought I was the only one who liked the JA-90. And IMO, the strangest Tele has to be the dual-humbucker Telecaster Deluxe. That one's my favorite; love the roaring and singing tones of those Wide Range pickups.

[@j_freed]

The real 70s WRHs are great, the modern Fender ones are just regular HBs in bigger covers.

[@donald-parker]

Never played the JA tale but I "get it". My fav guitar is my warmoth 7/8 strat (24 3/4 inch scale, 24 frets).

[@DBSG1976]

What finish did you choose for your Warmoth Tele?

[@donald-parker]

Constable 1976 None. I never finished the body (natural swamp ash looked great to me) and the neck is a custom Moses Graphite neck (no finish needed). I've had it for 25 years (so far) and no issues with the decision to leave it unfinished.

[@kurdtjohn]

You should've installed .13-.56 strings on this like Jim Adkins does haha!

[@musicman2093]

That sounds so painful.

[@duffman18]

@@musicman2093 long ago when I was a teenager, I was obsessed with Stevie Ray Vaughan and trying to learn to play like him and emulate him, and so I had 13s on my stray for years. You do get used to it, you get enormously thick finger calluses. I eventually went to usually using 11s or 10s but those years of training myself using 13s and being able to do bends and stuff with them was very valuable, I probably learnt quicker because of that.

[@maddoxandhisband9146]

can you give specifics about what type of tuners you have

[@cashewwalnut3589]

FINALLY! A glued neck, the most offputting part of a tele is its blocky neck joint

[@naryanclaudy2116]

Where is the best place to get knobs, saddle, and bridge to replace the chrome on this?

[@sunriseshell]

Talk about an "alternate universe" model.

[@dankelly7712]

Great review Darren What is that guitar just above your right shoulder, tele shape with the wammy

[@KevinORourke25]

Darrell Braun knows guitars!

[@kevingamache1512]

Oh and i love p90s. I have the fender fsr special edition 50s tele. American 58 bridge and p90 neck. Awesome git Ive lots of p90 gits and most were great. This one is good but i may have to play it.

[@mattkovarik646]

Are you Canadian? I noticed boat sound when you said not much to complain about, great job on finding things that none of us would have come across on our own, it's nice to finally have a channel that keeps you guessing

[@strumminronin]

Yes, he is!

[@petebrown3715]

Not a bad guitar but not for the price point of $899.

[@tran.srights7906]

I dunno if I'd pay that much for something made in Indonesia but maybe that's just me

[@mboyer68]

Why is a Fender branded, artist guitar only $900? I'd imagine this guitar being priced at least $1500. I'm NOT complaining!!

[@JackTheDeergal]

Makes me miss my Fender FMT HH Telecaster! Made like a PRS with a bound flame maple top and set neck. Had killer Seymour Duncans in it (59' and pearly gates plus)

[@TheDarrenJones]

I was just about to comment on how much I love my FMT HH Tele - bought secondhand, a complete surprise to me (I don't follow new guitars much), and it's an amazing sounding guitar, like a cross between a Tele and a PRS - as you say, the pickups are killer.

[@axepackermusic8636]

Sweet tones.

[@aWildJosh213]

Beautiful guitar! I like the les paul/telecaster hybrid! Edit: like if you think this guitar is unique and cool.

[@szwakyd]

I’m a little confused why you pointed out the Les Paul looking/located 3 way switch and Gibson style knobs like they’ve never done that before on the Tele? Certainly not standard but I’ve seen that configuration on older Telecasters.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Hi! Because these are body mounted not pickguard mounted :)

[@tjatkinson88]

The Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH also has that same neck joint looks like.

[@EvelynRoods]

That’s originally what I thought too. You can get those things for pretty cheap too. I’ve found a few for like $400 on Reverb.

[@andrewgoodwin9385]

Nice guitar. I still have mine in black cherry. Not sure if the fmt are made any more.

[@charlesharper7292]

@@andrewgoodwin9385 Fender still has them on their website. I don't think they are still in production. I ordered one today from Alamo music. I got an amber one. They have one left, a dark cherry burst. Very nice!!!

[@ORION2180]

lol, hmmmmm.......it's a sign (minus the soundhole) , Darrell, you should do some Gibson Firebird reviews!

[@jaroslawlukaszewicz]

"Nothing to write home about" I'm taking this ;)

[@bobboitt3126]

Perfect Tele for a Gibson player. The shorter scale length I love.

[@P_Ezi]

Bob Boitt I did just the opposite. I wanted to try LP-ish tones on a Fender scale, so I built a Warmoth Tele with full size Fender maple neck, rosewood fretboard, mahogany body, maple top, and P-rails. Doesnt sound exactly Tele or LP, but it does sound very good and P-rails are quite versatile. I dont understand how some people can switch back and forth between scale lengths - unless maybe they string them with different gage strings to get consistent tension. I feel very clumsy on the Gibson shorter scale.

[@GearGasms]

I got a chance to play one for a day when I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana. They have a partnership with Fender and you can have a different guitar sent to your room daily. I liked everything about it except it seem to suffer from poor QA - or maybe previous guest abuse, but if it got some work done to it, it would be great.

[@jamessanscrainte9533]

The unfortunate thing about those cheap components is that they will eventually malfunction. That guitar sounds great and is beautiful though.

[@zibbezabba2491]

Strange how it still has a fender sounding tone with those p90s. I like it. The 'bright' tone almost has a Larry Carlton 'kid charlemagne' vibe about it.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It’s got a lot to do with the shape and the contours. Anytime that I have played one of those 72 reissue Telecasters upon which this model seems to be based, even the ones with these same Gibson features still sound like a Telecaster to the people around me. How much that has to do with the real sound and how much it has to do with visual association could remain to be seen.

[@humanbass]

The only thing I dont like is the 24.75 scale. The neck joint is beautiful.

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

For me Fender really REALLY have to expand their market...Metal guitars are getting more popular...will not be a bad idea to have a Fender Metal Series with neck thru or set necks, jumbo frets, thinner profile neck, Seymour Duncan or EMG pickups, locking tuners and hard tail bridge...they don’t have to be necessarily black, they can have black pickguards and hardware and have sparkle finishes like the classic candy apple

[@strumminronin]

There were some back in the 80's, think that was the Vista Series. They did a Flying V type thing called a Katana. And the "Contemporary" Strat that had Floyd type bridges. Would be great if Fender reissued those!

[@lunarrevel6487]

Already too late for fender to convince modern guitarists imo. Brands like .Strandberg*, Kiesel, Aristides are way beyond fender for the new generation of guitarist. And it's easy to understand, I would never trade my strandberg for any Fender or Gibson.

[@kellyb0279]

Ok

[@HurtboxTV]

TOM bridges don't belong on any guitar tbh, they're trash. replace it with a roller bridge.

[@qube2106]

Definitly got a TC-90 and it is my main guitar ! It's been for more than 10 years, and i don't regret anything except for the electronics that got me in trouble a few times... I highly recommand you try it, you won't be disapointed! Cheers from france!

[@duster722]

Same here, love my TC-90

[@nw379]

I had two of these at one point (Jimmy fan!) but man...I hated them!! Sold them and never looked back. The looks/finish on the red model was absolutely beautiful and the quality was definitely there, but it sounded so dark and dull. I couldn’t get used to it.

[@tribunation]

Love the set neck!

[@dan_brett_rosenthal]

Prob the next guitar I’m going to buy. Darn you Darrell! I just bought a tele. And it’s wine red transparent and I need a guitar with P90s and a rosewood neck. 💸👋🤩

[@brentphillips2500]

very similar to my TC-90

[@MongooseHerder]

Would love to see you put a bigsby on it!

[@magicdaveable]

I have a G&L ASAT with magnetic field pickups that kind of look like P90's. It is by far the very best "tele" that Leo ever made. I built a tele with Warmoth parts that has a smooth neck joint very similar to Peavey's. I only have it for friends that come to visit or at one of my gigs and would like to sit in.

[@trollins73]

Want to get stranger try out a fender special edition custom hh fmt telecaster

[@trollins73]

I put this post up four days ago and he shows it off today awesome thanks!

[@starr_shine3060]

Honestly, just doesn't have that Tele sound. But still, looks like a fun guitar to play.

[@i2k92]

Is it real? Made in Indonesia? I know about Cort, Ltd, Ibanez, Epi, etc. But Fender.... Wow. I'm Indonesian anyway, surprised & proud at the same time as it looks so well made. That body wood joint looks expertly done, looks on par with my German made Framus. Great.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

i2k92 yeah man I have an Indonesia made Squier vintage modified strat. I got it cheap 180euro secondhand to see what they are like. I can't believe how much I love this guitar. And now Fender are branding guitars with Fender from Indonesia. A sign that Indonesian made guitars are up there with the best ☺

[@tdtom1376]

don't forget, Fender owns Gretsch and a lot of streamliner juniors are built in Indonesia. the craftsmanship is impeccable.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

td tom that's right the streamliner series especially the walnut coloured one. Played one at local shop and fell in love with it. Made in Indonesia ☺

[@mrbinx51052]

I have a spalted maple tele that came out a few years ago made in Indonesia and I believe they're a better quality than the Mexican units. Most of the Mexican units are and use the cheapest crap supplied by Fender on the market. That's why there are so many better guitars out there than Fender and Gibson. Both over priced and any of the new ones lack quality.

[@philippeetienne166]

All comes out of same factory I have two Indonesian Made Squire Strats that make my MIM look very ordinary. The quality of the Indonesian is by far superior in every sense. One of the Strats with a HSS config could do with an upgrade in the Humbucker pick up buth the 20th Anniversary is Flawless.

[@ivanhimself]

Indonesian here. I do not know this beautiful Tele was crafted in Indonesia. Love those P90s!

[@gregmerritt9366]

Giovann Ya'll have produced some of the best playing guitars as of late. No doubt about it.

[@alangriff1]

I had a Squier strat crafted in Indonesia...just as good if not better than my MIM strat...wish I'd kept it. Nothing wrong with the quality coming out of your country!

[@ulissesscarparo3164]

My friend. Would you mind, if I put subtitles in portuguese. And put it in my channel? I would say first, that this video belong to you. I loved this video.

[@alestev24]

I have tried this guitar and the Telecaster Custom FMT HH numerous times. I call the latter the Fender Les Paul. There are several videos on it as well. Both are in my top 10 of best guitars I have ever played.

[@glenngardin3561]

My FMT HH is my current favorite!

[@kurdtjohn]

Those are both MII

[@tallthinkev]

I've played one of these, nice enough in it's own way. But just not a Tele, should have called it something else. Well not 'something different' because that would be silly. Or would it?

[@adriankyletorres8456]

Thats cool but why dont they have a 24 fretted guitar😭

[@lucassurgeon4122]

The real question, who cares? It's shaped like a Tele, it's a Tele

[@P_Ezi]

Scale length is my biggest complaint. I almost bought an FMT full scale version several years ago to get the LP flavor with full string length, but ended up building a Warmoth tele the way I wanted it instead.

[@electroKrunch]

Hey, if it plays? What's the issue!!?? Guitars are tools to make music!

[@jakenogard9667]

That bridge is definately copied from Gibson but every guitar Company copying each other so no big deal. The guitar looks lovely.

[@oscareo754]

It’s a signature so it’s to Jim Adkins specifications, think of how John mayers silver sky is literally a stratocaster

[@MarcCoteMusic]

If it looks like a Tele and bruises my forearm when I play it for more than a few minutes, it's a Tele. This weirdo looks like a Tele but only at first glance. Still, I wouldn't mind trying one, especially as I like the Thinline look and sound. And that neck joint... wow. I'm not a purist... this thing looks wonderful to me. Those look like Fender Blacktop-style knobs to me.

[@DMSProduktions]

It's a Fender LES PAUL SPECIAL SC!

[@robruthless4703]

That tele has the best tone I ever heard a tele have 👌 very soulful playing too Darrell 💯 it’s like I could feel your everyday struggles in your solos

[@bluesingmusic3443]

Why not just buy a Gibson or Epi LP or SG with P90s? Nice looking guitar, but I mean if you want Gibson scale, pups, & bridge, plus the glue on neck, just get one. Telecasters are my fav guitar, they have stood the test of time, plus mines been through earthquakes & tornados, not to mention the abuse she's suffered at my hands these last 30 years, yet she still plays great, holds tune, & keeps up with any guitar. Any way it's not for me, but to each his own.

[@PigMCplayer]

If I were to have a signature tele, it’ll doublebound (binding). Sunburst finish, thin line, b bender, mahogany body, flame maple neck, curly maple top, dual humbuckers with coil split.

[@FraJa1980]

Strangest Tele i've had was a Indonesian made Fender with a Mahogany body and a carved spalted maple top, set Mahogany neck and it was supposed to have 2 Seymours but the previous owner had removed the neck pickup and replaced it for a Les Paul Jr style pick guard so it was more like an Esquire..... played and sounded awesome.... still kicking myself for selling it. Strangest thing about that guitar was the fact it was slightly narrower at the waist and top bout, didn't fit my case while a normal telly did but it was noticeably more comfortable as the normal tele body.

[@timdouglass9831]

What actually defines a Tele? IMO if it doesn't have a Tele bridge, single coils, and a 25 1/2 scale it's not really a Tele. Body shape means nothing. The sound is going to come mostly from the pickups with a bit from the bridge. Playing feel will come from the scale length, neck contour, fretboard radius, and to a lesser degree the bridge. So, this doesn't sound like a Tele or play like a Tele - so it's just something else that sort of looks like one. It may be a great guitar, but it's not a Tele.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

imo Good vid as expected. On the one hand, I don't care for Teles much. On the other hand, I have no problem with any of the un-Tele weirdness. On the other other hand, it's still a Tele to me. All that said...nice guitar. imo

[@strumminronin]

Couldn't have phrased it better myself! It sounds alright but I won't be rushing to the guitar stores for it anytime soon.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

@@strumminroninWe all have our guitar biases. I love SGs. JazzMasters are my favorite Fender model. But, hell, whatever works for whoever is cool...imo.

[@MrJonguess]

Love the detail of your reviews. Great production and playing. But most of all your honest.

[@TJK_Audio]

This with humbuckers and mahogany body/neck is what the Troublemaker Tele should have been

[@tokillthedragon]

THEtedgar89 I think you just want a Les Paul

[@Incuensuocha]

I thought all Fenders are made in either Japan, Mexico and the US and the stuff made in Indonesia and China are Squiers. It just seems off seeing an actual Fender made in Indonesia.

[@OEMPlus]

fender is KILLING it lately. i'm loving my sixty six.

[@dougneighbors5878]

Are they nice? That's the coolest looking guitar I've seen in a while