Gallery
Description
Features
Reviews
Q&A

Videos (2)

View All
Fender American Elite Series: Built for the Pursuit

Fender American Elite Series: Built for the Pursuit

John 5 Demos the Fender American Elite Telecaster | American Elite | Fender

John 5 Demos the Fender American Elite Telecaster | American Elite | Fender

Description

The American Elite Telecaster is the original solidbody electric guitar reimagined for the modern guitarist who needs more from their instrument. With its stunning style, easy-playing performance and flexible sound that matches any playing situation, this Tele was made to tear it up on stage or in the studio.

Featured on all American Elite instruments, the new 4th generation Noiseless pickups are only available in this series, and represent a quantum leap in pickup design. Combining authentic, vintage-style sound with effectively noise-free performance, these are the pinnacle of Fender’s noiseless pickup designs, generating sparkling cleans and fat, overdriven tones that scream with pure rock ‘n’ roll power.

Engineered for fast playing and effortless position changes, the compound profile neck with a 9.5”-14” compound radius fingerboard is ideal for all playing styles. A modern “C”-shape at the nut, the profile morphs along the length of the neck to a modern “D”-shaped profile at the updated neck heel, providing plenty of comfortable support for fret hand antics.

Locking, all short-post tuning machines provide increased break angle at the bone nut for buzz-free performance. The truss rod wheel is positioned at the butt end of the neck for easy accessibility when adjusting neck relief.

Fender is renowned for head-turning style, and this guitar is no different—from the refined ergonomic rear contour that hugs the player’s body to the black chrome headstock logo and large pearloid fret markers this instrument will dazzle the audience with elegant style. The American Elite Telecaster is a bold new addition to the Fender family tree, a top-notch performer that can handle whatever music you might you throw at it. Includes a redesigned Elite Molded Case with TSA locks to provide increased protection for your cherished instrument.
Fender American Elite Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
Fender American Elite Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
Fender American Elite Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst

Features

Body
  • Body shape: Single cutaway
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Top wood: Not applicable
  • Body wood: Alder (Ash on Butterscotch Blonde and Tobacco Sunburst)
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Modern C to D
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Neck finish: Satin
Fretboard
  • Material: Maple
  • Radius: Compound
  • Fret size: Medium jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width: 1.687" (42.8mm)
Pickups
  • Configuration: SS
  • Neck: 4th Generation Noiseless
  • Middle: Not applicable
  • Bridge: 4th Generation Noiseless
  • Brand: Fender
  • Active or passive: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Series
  • Piezo: No
  • Active EQ: No
  • Special electronics: S-1 switching, Master no-load tone control
Controls
  • Control layout: Master volume, tone
  • Pickup switch: 3-way
  • Coil tap or split: No
  • Kill switch: No
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed
  • Bridge design: 6-saddle American Tele with chromed brass saddles
  • Tailpiece: Not applicable
  • Tuning machines: Deluxe sealed/locking
  • Color: Chrome
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: Pickups
  • Case: Hardshell case
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: United States
warning

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Reviews

4.67

33 Reviews

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

I like it.
Elite
Wonderful sounding tele
American elite telecaster Mystic black
I love this thing!

Most Liked Positive Review

5

I love this thing!

I am now the proud owner of one of these fantastic guitars. My wife surprised me with one of these in Autumn Blaze for our 10th anniversary. She worked with my oldest friend to determine what my ultimate guitar would be. She knew that I used to have an American Standard that I sadly had to part with a few years back and that I lusted after the '59 Tele that her grandfather has. Other than that all she knew was she wanted to get me a guitar that I wouldn't have to modify or work on as soon as I got it. My main guitar before this was a mim Strat plus top. A good guitar but I had to do a lot of work on the neck and frets to get it almost close to the playability of the American STD Tele. Then, I replaced the bridge PU, tuning keys, and plug. I also rewired it to run the neck and bridge together trying to get right tone. I tend to be cautious about how much money I am willing to spend and I accept that sometimes quality suffers. This Elite Tele is by far better than I would ever have expected. I would have never spent this much but having not had to make that decision I can honestly say it is worth every penny. The attention to detail is exquisite. There are no frets that even pretend to be sharp or not perfectly shaped. The edges and lines are perfect. I could probably spend all day inspecting it and not find a flaw. The Autumn Blaze color is beautifully unique. It definitely stands out without looking out of place. The playability of this thing really surpasses even the American STD that I had. It is super comfortable and smooth. I really love the 4th generation noiseless PU's. Playing this thing on my '61 Bassman is really just insane. Clean, this thing just rings clear as a bell and overdriven it sounds great with a light overdrive as well as all-out crunched. The added S-1 switch was a nice surprise. It adds an extra oomph to the middle position. Going from the MIM Strat to the Elite is like trading in a Taurus for a Cadillac.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Not happy with mine

I own several Telecasters and Stratocasters, all American Standards and above (along with many other manufacturers guitars). I am able to tour the Fender factory with employees who are friends. They suggested the Tele Elite. Went and ordered one to try. Looks beautiful (mine is the aged cherry sunburst). Now the bad...Frets sprouted badly (no quality control) on a brand new guitar. Cannot stay in tune. I have made sure the nut is clear and clean. I have graphited the nut to ensure lubrication. Made sure no issues with the hard tail bridge. All clear. The guitar cannot stay in tune. I should not have to do this after laying out nearly $2K on an upper level Fender guitar. Compound radius neck is a joke. Only guitar in my collection with one. Why not make a great neck like my Vintage 59 Strat? This is already a hybrid guitar do what makes it better. Sound noiseless 4 pickups. Not quite Telecaster chine or twang i am used to. All in all i hope to get as much money out of it as i can. However, checking Guitar Center and Reverb there are a ton out there flooding the market. I must not be the only one not digging this guitar. If you want one find a mint used edition and lowball the price.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming13
  2. Practicing11
  3. Recording7
  4. Small Venues7
  5. Rock Concerts4
Cons
  1. Poor Pick Up2
  2. Flat Sound1
  3. None1
  4. Uneven volume across strings1
  5. None!1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced12
  2. Novice4
Pros
  1. Good Feel15
  2. Fun To Play13
  3. Good Tone11
  4. Solid Electronics10
  5. Good Pick Up8

Reviewed by 33 customers

  • I would buy this product again.

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byWalter M

    fromWest Point Georgia

    Great to jam with . Fit and finish are excellent.

  • Get one before they're gone

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byEcho79

    fromAthens, GA

    Such a wonderful instrument, the best guitar I've ever picked up. Noticeably lighter than average Teles but well-balanced. Bought used at Guitar Center, previous owner took good care of it and had the setup dialed in perfect. The new Ultras are good but I much prefer this, and being used it was $400 cheaper. So lucky to have found it.

  • Fantastic guitar right out of the box!

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byShredder wannabe

    fromAromas, CA

    Awesome build quality, perfect from day 1.

  • Fender done right

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byNapa JR

    fromNapa Ca

    Out of the box set up great, frets perfect and intonation spot on, nice tight action and pups sound great. Play through a Helix and sounds fantastic, S1 gives extra punch and neck is super comfortable. With the belly cut it just feels right.

  • Awesome!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted7 years ago

    byKEITH

    fromUndisclosed

    Fantastic guitar!

  • A great guitar, but mot for all

    4

    submitted7 years ago

    byBJ

    fromBig island, Hawaii

    Used for all venues, big and small, records well. Recommend using a good compressor pedal to even out the volume across the strings. Noiseless pups seem to work as advertised. Tone range covers a wider range than a standard Tele. S1 switch engaged simulates a humbucker fairly well. You won't need to bring multiple guitars to most gigs other than a backup. But, Tele purists may be put off by the fuller sound. The glass shattering highs are a bit attenuated. Excellent set up right out of the box. C-D carved neck is very fast and comfortable. Medium heavy frets were crowned and polished almost perfectly (for me) and allow my fingers to slide and move up and down the fretboard without resistance. Belly carve is a plus for comfort. Fit and finish excellent. Came with Fender's new, well made form fitting case.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byPhillip

    fromNorth Carolina

    I'm trying to decide between the telecaster professional and telecaster elite. What are the significant differences between these 2 models if I'm purchasing brand new.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Fancier hardware and Gen 4 noiseless pickups on the Elite. Please give us a call to better help you out – 877-687-5403

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked bySteve

    fromMass

    Is this a new or used previously owned or demo guitar? I note the fender elite sticker from factory is not there

    Open Reply - Ronald
    This is a new guitar. The stock photos are without the stickers to show more of the instrument.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byMike

    fromVancouver WA

    Does it come with a case?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This comes with a hardshell case

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byMiles

    fromRochester, NY

    What gauge strings are shipped with the American Elite Tele?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    The gauge is 10-48