Fender Plus vs American Performer

I used to have a MIM Fender Tele like the 52 reissue and it was a wonderfull guitar. I kick myself for giving it to my grandaughter but its my grandaughter.So Norm a little bird told me you might have a new offering to the herd.
 
So here is some pics. My new Players Plus. I have been waiting 10 plus years now, for what i would say a very good matchup for me, from Fender. Not saying anything wrong here about some of you guys who prefer, what i call old style Tele's.

I have been wanting a Tele that had single coils, but could also get those humbucker tones, and warmer tones as well. And no hum in the pickups. Well i have to tell you i finally have one in my possession! I played this guitar for 1 hour at my local shop last week, and i was impressed with the looks, the quality to detail and of course playability, so much for the next 4 days that's all i could think about was that ax.

So i decided to go back and play it for another hour, using a different amp than previous. Well i just had to bring her home! I can tell you it has some twang, if that's what you like. For me i am a majority all out Classic Rock guy. This guitar has punch so much it will come at you and slap you in the face , faster than Clint Eastwood can claw back the hammer on his 44 magnum.

Grit it has so for you diggers, its got it. Does it have dirt you say, heck YAA! Twice as hard by the Black Crow's, it just rocked it. Comfortable is a must for me. Weight wise 8LBS just like my Custom, a beautiful weight for a Tele, no nose diving. And although i have a slim build, i like a body cut, which my Starts and Tele's have.

And so darn comfortable when i stand or sit especially, Its like Jed Clampett sitting in his rocker chair. Playability wise it is very very good, quality wise, no flaws. I like my guitars to be purdy, but i expect them to play as good as they look. Some might disagree with me and that's fine, but i am happy Fender finally came out of the woods, and built this guitar. They built a modern Tele, and for us old rocker guys at age 70 or beyond this is a welcome edition to the Fender lineup. Thank GOODNESS, its finally arrived! Well done Fender.

They have moved up the ladder as far as i concerned. When you pull out that push / pull knob LOOKOUT! its a beast! The tones you can get overall are incredible. This is a rock'n'roll machine. Well if you haven't guessed by now , i like it, what else can i say.

Locking tuners, the bridge is comfortable can rest the palm of you hand, great for muting, noiseless pickups, none of that annoying humming. Well ok i just wrote a novel. Here

What I like from Player Plus MIM What I don't like after playing this guitar American Performer


1. 9.5 radius
2. Brass barrel saddles, not as good for palm muting, and find them ugly, intonationcanbeaproblem

4. Price tag, Player Plus has more bang for the buck, all the way around IMHO, and $300
less.

2. I always prefer 12' radius.
3. Smooth rolled edges on fretboard.
4. Noiseless pickups.
5. Both pickups wired in series, push pull tone control.
6. Well made guitar flawless.
7. Tone of pickups
8 . A more updated modern version.



8. Prefer the colors.
 
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Pictures don't do it justice, I think because the colors . Its silver smoke and is Gorgeous! The finish is flawless. As Fenders quality is so so on some models, I checked this guitar out thoroughly from top to bottom before i bought it. MIM have been better in quality than U.S. in some models , so i took this into consideration before buying.

Had it checkout out and setup by my tech guy, he said frets were all good level and dressed. Everything was spot on, he just had to file 3 fret ends common for climate changes. He set up everything the way i like it. She's a keeper!
 

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JohnnyGoo said:
I want a Tele Deluxe like gballs new ones.Always loved those.
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The black one is a MiM Vintera. The pickups are not the Cunife ones, they are regular humbuckers in the larger covers. It's great-feeling/playing/sounding guitar.

The white one is an American Professional II. Pickups are Shaw Double-Taps, and they are awesome. It's also just better in every way than the MiM one (fit and finish, playability, tone, details). It's almost twice as expensive and probably not twice as good but definitely better.

They also have a US-made vintage-spec one withe the Cunife pickups for a few more bucks. Next time I am at GC I want to check one out.
 
Session 5 said:
After playing both these guitars, the MIM Player Plus Tele wins hands down over MIA Performer. And player plus comes in $300 less.
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So the demo... I take it all Tele's are supposed to be played clean? Not much of a demo they need to show different pickup combinations etc with clean crunch and lead IMO. It doesn't show what the guitar can truly do.

That aside congrats Norm! Looks great, no point waiting forever to get one.
 
I have two Telecasters and two Esquires the old Esquire one piece ash body sounds like my Custom Shop Les Paul Standard
on our band live recordings I can't tell the difference I did replace the worn out maple neck with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard one.
I buy the term a Les Paul is a Tele on steroids
 
Jethro Rocker said:
So the demo... I take it all Tele's are supposed to be played clean? Not much of a demo they need to show different pickup combinations etc with clean crunch and lead IMO. It doesn't show what the guitar can truly do.

That aside congrats Norm! Looks great, no point waiting forever to get one.
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Thanks Geoff, I am happy with this axe , its a keeper!
 
Jethro Rocker said:
So the demo... I take it all Tele's are supposed to be played clean? Not much of a demo they need to show different pickup combinations etc with clean crunch and lead IMO. It doesn't show what the guitar can truly do.
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Geoff, not doggin onn your comment, just impressed to heck. John 5 sure is a shredmaster on his Tele's.

youtube.com

John 5 Can’t play like this with Motley Crue, it would be too much!

If you’d like to see what John 5 has got for tone and skill, check out the video link on the end screen! He plays Van Halen, Pantera, Rush, Metallica, AC/DC,...
youtube.com youtube.com

 
Session 5 said:
Pictures don't do it justice, I think because the colors . Its silver smoke and is Gorgeous! The finish is flawless. As Fenders quality is so so on some models, I checked this guitar out thoroughly from top to bottom before i bought it. MIM have been better in quality than U.S. in some models , so i took this into consideration before buying.

Had it checkout out and setup by my tech guy, he said frets were all good level and dressed. Everything was spot on, he just had to file 3 fret ends common for climate changes. He set up everything the way i like it. She's a keeper!
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Very nice look , congrats!
 
Jethro Rocker said:
So the demo... I take it all Tele's are supposed to be played clean? Not much of a demo they need to show different pickup combinations etc with clean crunch and lead IMO. It doesn't show what the guitar can truly do.

That aside congrats Norm! Looks great, no point waiting forever to get one.
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In most circles Fenders are clean but some crazy metal guys say no, not me and this guy playing the Jim Root Tele rocked so hard he lost his sight. lol
 
Watch this video to its completion, he shows the tones you can get out of these pickups, and its true i can tell you, that's what made me want this guitar, plus a few other things.
Pull out that switch , just like having humbuckers, sounds great!
 
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