Fender Telecoustic

Bought this little honey at Sam Ash in Richmond Va. for $199.00. I was waffeling between the Telecoustic and an Ibanez Talman....the Talman is better out of the box...but I wasn't looking for perfection out of the box...I mean this thing is made in China !!! I don't compare it to my acoutic. I have a 25 year old Guild....no comparison. I have the only elcectric made by my buddy Paul Beard of Beard Resophonics....yea it WOULD be you slobber if you played it!

The quality isn't bad for what I payed...sometimes you have to lower your standards!!

I wanted to get a sound somewhat acoustic but with the playability of my electric..like anyone doesn't want that! I also play a Washburn J-9...slight over-drive and your somewhere between the Edge and Johnny A. I am sending my electric's through a Fulltone Fulldrive, then the the new Zoom...whatever (Also use a Pod Pro rack...it's the best but rack is a pain live and the Zoom was cheaper than the pedal for the Pod XT pro) I ran the Telecoustic into some clean patches with some delay and it realy cut through.
I reccommend using this as an accent instrument. I'm going to Mod it with an electric pickup....probably a Tele Lipstick or something...then use some light over drive with a limiter.

Fit and finish weren't bad for the price. I absolutely couldn't believe the box in the neck!!! It was close to an old Hotwheels Race track!! Come on Sam Ash...have some inteqrity....you guys could have taken care of that in 10 minutes, I know I did.

the jury is out on this one....haven't even had it a week.

Jury's out on this one to.

*I've been playing for around 30 years.
* wanted to get a sound somewhat acoustic but with the playability of my electric..like anyone doesn't want that! I also play a Washburn J-9...slight over-drive and your somewhere between the Edge and Johnny A. I am sending my electric's through a Fulltone Fulldrive, then the the new Zoom...whatever (Also use a Pod Pro rack...it's the best but rack is a pain live and the Zoom was cheaper than the pedal for the Pod XT pro) I ran the Telecoustic into some clean patches with some delay and it realy cut through.
*Would I replace it if stolen or lost...I think so...I think it's a decent piece for the money. People keep comparing it to for instance the Godin thinline...that's not even a fair comparison.
*I don't yet if there's anything I love about it...don't really hate anthing but for the huge bow in the neck...hope that doesn't become a problem. favorite feature might be it's a good project guitar.
*I reccommend using this as an accent instrument. I'm going to Mod it with an electric pickup....probably a Tele Lipstick or something...then use some light over drive with a limiter.

came with a strap, 2 picks, a gig bag, and an allen key for the truss rod.

the tuners were a little stiff to start off with, but eventually they loosened up a bit, and hold their tune very well.

the fishman preamp offers a versatile sound, ideal for most styles. plug it in and turn it up.

Sound's great when plugged in, not so good when not. But still better than my sisters daisy rock.

4 band pre amp allows a wide range of tones, to suit most tastes (i play heavy rock and folk)

set up was excellent, action was a little high, but that's ideal for me as i also play bass, so it keeps the finger tips hard, while building left hand strength

a couple of little knocks in the body, but that was from the shop i bought it from (admitted to them, so not really fenders fault)

i bought the paisley model, as it looked so cool, i wasnt expecting anything wonderful, as i know some electro acoustics arent the best

i've bashed this guitar around a bit, and still havent broken it.

the hardware seems pretty durable, although the battery retaining clip thingys are becoming a little slack

i'm not a fan of the jack/strap button arrangement, and intend to do something about this in the near future, it just doesnt seem the right way to do things

havent had to deal with them, so i wouldnt know

the pink paisley is a must have, if a little odd. sounds great through a PA'd marshall 15w amp

i bought on a whim, so didnt really compare it with others, i also bought from ebay, but it was brand new.

I picked up the "Paisly" model at a local guitar shop. I could simply stop there, never play it and just look at it on its guitar stand and that would be reason enough to own it. As others have posted, the basic features are mentioned above. One bad feature is the output jack in integrated into the bottom strap pin so you can't put it on a regular guitar stand without unplugging it! It looks like a cool setup, but at the expense of functionality.

Tinny, low volume "Delta" sound unplugged. Not useful for anything but solo practice and noodling. Plugged in it can really hoot and growl, though it can get piezo trebly if you don't control it at the amp. I play through a small PA speaker connected to my amp and I had to disconnect the speaker's piezo tweeter. The bass, midrange, treble and "brilliance" controls do a good job of changing the sound. The bass can get a little heavy. It's very responsive to differences in playing pressure and attack. It's not a guitar for clear, precise sound, but it is really fun and easy to make it "talk".

Terrible fit and finish. Splotches, etc. trim uneven. But, this isn't a real tele. Neck bowed a LOT brand new. Heavy strings, high action and narrow neck make it almost unplayable before modifications. I immediately replaced the strings with thin electics, but the top three strings were a little too thin, so I upped the guage (while leaving the bottom three). If the high E string is too light, the staggered saddle is too thick for it and the E doesn't ring well. I cranked the neck down straight and the action is excellent now.

I see no reason for this guitar not to last, even if dragged around to every gig. It's certainly no less rugged that any all wood acoustic guitar. And if it did break during a gig, duct tape should get you through the night without any appreciable sound deficit ;-) though I wouldn't trust the strap buttons for nothin' - they're just screwed into the fiberglass body. Fasten them securely before you take this out as a working guitar.

I was told by the guitar shop it had a lifetime warranty on the body and neck.

I am not a professional musician. I've been playing guitar on and off for thirty five years. I play for fun. I like my Strat a lot and my "tightened up" inexpensive dreadnought. However, this Telecoustic Paisley has so much unique personality that it's VERY hard not to pick it up and play it ALL the time. As others have noted, it's not the best sounding or playing guitar, but with some initial work (to MAKE it playable), its funky factor and cool factor hit a 10 with a bullet. I'll never part with this guitar.

Read other reviews.

Unplugged it sounds to me like an old Delta Blues Guitar. They were ALL plywood. Plugged in: I run it through a processor for recording so it sounds like anything I want. It is full and bright and the EQ in the preamp works really well.

Just awful, but I knew that coming in. I knew the bridge needed shaving, but did not know the nut did too. I could not even play a Cmaj chord in the open position. I am an electric player and needed to have something to play acoustic solo's on in the studio next week. Rather than to rebuild this now (the strings are also kind of tight) before it has the time to settle in a bit, I tuned it down to Eb and put a capo at the first fret. Feels much better now. I don't know how much I'll use it, so maybe I'll just leave it that way. Those of you complaining about not being able to bend strings, ought to grow up some and research what you are buying. Get away from those super light strings and build some strength in your left hand. I am 53 years old, with arthritis in my left elbow and hand, and I could bend the strings before I made any changes.

At this price, it is not that important to me.

Won't use it. If I can't fix it, I will use it to paddle my way out of Florida, after the Ice Caps are finished melting.

I just wish Fender had given The Telecoustic a better effort. Maybe followed Abe Wechter's lead. Abe makes the best stage guitar, bar none, in the 3000 series Pathmaker, with his 3 pickup system. I just wish he had a thinline version. That, I would buy in a heartbeat. If the Telecoustic were stolen, I probably look for a used one that had been set up already. Or, maybe the Takamine Thinline. At 53, it is nice to have a thinline acoustic next to the recliner. Been playing for about 35 years, and this guitar is definitly worth the money, if you don't mind doing some work. And I agree, if you can't set up a guitar,after playing about 5 years, get a trombone.

Just a standard MIC Telecoustic as detailed on Fender and other websites Laminated top. Mine did come with a gig-bag. I selected the sunburst model.

When it came out of the box and underwent initial setup, it sounded horrible. Took it to a shop and had a professional setup and new strings installed and it sounded better. When plugged in, it just sounds like a low end amplified acoustic. When unplugged, it sounds terrible... but I don't think that is the target usage.

From the factory, everything was terrible. I have spots where the finish wasn't applied (sound hole has bare wood spots,) frets were scratchy, and the local shop had to do a good amount of work that should have been done at the factory. I've seen worse, but not with the Fender or even Squier name on it. Standard Chinese quality control.

It seems like it can take a little bit of abuse as far as the fiberglass, neck, etc. Everything on the top seems very cheap and flimsy.

I've not had to deal with the company, so it would be unfair for me to review the support.

I own a MIA Tele and bought this for the gimicky aspect of having an acoustic that looks related in color, styling, etc. I probably really wouldn't recommend it for anything other than the gimick aspect as it really isn't a great sounding guitar for the acoustic side, and it doesn't have any of the tele sound (a neck a tele does not make.) I'll probably give it to one of the kids someday, but I wouldn't buy another. One other thing I didn't mention elsewhere... these things smell bad. Don't know if it's the fiberglass or what, but it has a unique "chemical" odor.

The features are all a bove, frets trings all that jazz.
if you buy this guitar buy some new strings unless you are stevie ray vaughen, or chuck norris. anyway for the price fine, nothing especially fancy. it looks great, everyone always wants to ask about it.

without an amp 3
with an amp 9
simple as that.
PLUG IT IN PEOPLE!
if you play this acousticly only, then be careful, it sounds. passable, but so does a suitcase with strings streched over it. with an amp it relally comes alive.

This guitar looks good, smells good, and the first time you play it you will be over awed by how visious a little beast it is as it tries to rip off the fingers you believe to be toughened. serieously i would have taken it to a shop to get it adjust when i brought it if i wasnt so lazy. it does look cool, with its odd dimensions, mine is a dark red and it looks great. but to play. this is marketed as the electric guitar players guitar. dont believe it, buy new strings and get it set up. or you will cry.
the neck is the nicest acoustic neck i have played, its just a case of getting the strings anywhere near it.

great. not a single problem i tune it every month and a half. when i gig with it i dont need a backup up, cause its built like a house.

i wouldnt even know the guitar is just that tough. so 10 again

i own too many guitars i have been playing for three years. and this guitar is one of the most 'characterful' i have ever played. i have a real love hate relationship. i play it not cause of the sound o r the feel. but because its a challenge. i wouldnt sell it, i need this guitar, like i need a gym and weights. if you are going to buy this guitar try it first. if you like it buy it, and if you dont, think about it. mine has never let me down. just get lighter wire, plug in ad you will be fine

I bought mine a couple of years ago (2003) to play at science fiction conventions. It's got a built in pickup, which is nice for amplifying. It didn't come with any accessories.

Surprisingly, it works quite well for Irish traditional music (which is mostly what I play). I think that, unless you plug it in, the sound isn't a big as a "normal" acoustic guitar, but then again the body isn't as large, so that is to be expected. The built-in pickup is amazing and makes the guitar sound great.

Mine came completely set-up (which is how it's supposed to be). Although I've read about strings being set high above the fretboard, mine doesn't have this problem. Craftsmanship seems to be of high quality.

I still haven't broken a string (knock on wood) and I play it daily. I've played it live on several occasions (to packed hotel conference rooms with at least 1000 people) and people love the sound. It's never failed me at a gig and I use it constantly with my Irish traditional music group, Barghest. It actually stays tuned and I don't have to tune it for a few days before I start noticing.

Haven't dealt with Fender at all, but it's never had any problems (again, knock on wood). The warranty has probably run out by now. I don't know what kinda warranty it had.

This was my first guitar and it's still my only acoustic guitar. The only thing I wished is that I had another acoustic guitar so that I didn't look so goofy at sessions, but it honestly doesn't matter. It's the sound that counts.

basically a mixture of a Tele and Ovation...

not sure what year it was made, but comes from china. has 21 frets, real tele neck, composite body, spruce top, rosewood fretboard and bridge. Fishman electronics with treble, mid, bass, contour, and volume controls.

sounds kind of weak when not plugged in, but when plugged in it sounds great. I use mainly for acoustic play, but also like to run some effects with it to get some real muddy sounds.

no lie, the action is extremely high. so much that with acoustic strings it kills my fingers. I read a review on this site, and quickly changed to electric strings. what a differnce. action is of course still high, but no more pain!

playability is affected by the heavy neck. The neck is no different that a standard tele. that's great, but this body being composite is much lighter than a standard tele.

the only two negatives in this guitar are the heavy neck, and high action. no other flaws...

I got it used from a freind, and it still looks like it did the day he bought it. no wear so far...

I am kind of suspicious about the composite body. I don't know how time will effect this guitar. I feel like the area where the guitar bolts on to the composite body would be the weakest point.

no problems yet!

I have been teaching myself to play for the last five years. guitar has become my number one hobby. I mainly play for my own enjoyment. My collection includes a Johnson acoustic, a Crate-Strat electric, a Fender Showmaster, and a ca' 1950's style German archtop acoustic.

my favorite thing about this guitar is it's mixture of the acoustic/electric design. I have kind of big fingers and playing an acoustic with this skinny of a neck has it's challenges.

I will probably add some better strap locks due to the unbalanced neck. other than that, and the high action, it is a great value!

I bought my California Red telecoustic in 2002. It came with a strap. gig bag, set of strings,cord, not a bad deal. I was attracted to the color & Tele shape.

I use it mostly for unplugged practice. I do use it through my Marshall amp once in awhile. I hated the strings that came on it. I use electric strings.

This was my 1st guitar, so I went by what my did said.The set up wasn't to good. Flaw's... mine has cracked down the top( top to bottom) with another crack above the sound hole. I'm 13 now, I wouldn't buy it now

I dont play it at all. I need to get it fixed.

I don't know a lot about repairs, I think I need a new top, can this be done? I went to Fender's website, not much there. How can you find a good place to make this kind of repair. I live in the Indianapolis area.

It was my 1st guitar, I bought it on looks alone. I have a Squier Showmaster silver holoflake, that more fits my style. I guess I bought it on looks too. I would like to get this repaired though.

Made in China 2002. Fishman pickup / active preamp. Everything I needed and no extras which I didn't need.

Obviously the Telecoustic with a small synthetic bowl is not going to compete with a Martin. It was not built to! I mainly play this unplugged and I find the sound very pleasant to my ears. If someone else is playing the sound doesn't carry as well. Plugged in, the sound is up there with any comparable electro acoustic.

I first tried a Telcoustic about 2 1/2 years ago. I loved the concept but the setup on the shop model was crap! I tried a Stratacoustic about six months later which the shop had had fixed. I loved it and ordered a Telecoustic double quick. As with the reviewer below, mine arrived with a 5 deg angle away from the body and I also had to shim the neck and shave the bridge.

My local shop had a lovely Sunbusrt model for many months and despite getting lots of interest it didn't sell. In my opinion, probably due to the setup. When the shop slashed the price I grabbed it for a friend of mine. I had to do exactly the same setup as my own; ie shim the neck and shave the bridge.

I run mine with electric strings (11-48) and love the tone and feel this gives. I found acoustic strings too bright with the synthetic bowl and also too hard for my "electric" fingers.

From the factory, mine had a split in one of the braces which I had to glue up. I can't see the rest of the braces, hopefully they are OK. Apart from that, mine has stood up to two years of fairly intensive use. It has been to the beach and lots of parties and shows no sign of deterioration.

Answering the question above; would this stand up to live playing? My answer is yes, but the neck heavy balance of this guitar may cause problems. If you're buying this for mainly live situations, I would suggest the Stratacoustic instead.

Never had to contact Fender.

I love this guitar. I am an electric player and was looking for an easy-playing acoustic. The Telecoustic was EXACTLY what I was looking for. I love the neck, I like the sound and it's just so comfortable to play lying on the couch. This guitar is up amongst my favourite and if lost or stolen it would be replaced in an instant.

I think if Fender paid a little more attention to Quality Control on this guitar, they'd have a MAJOR winner on their hands. I'm certain many prospective customers would have been put off by the action.

Incidentally, for the "Guitar Player Magazine" reviewer below, I've been playing since 1981 and own several other Fender electrics. I do all my own setups, repairs etc, and play my guitars till I fall asleep at night. I know a bad setup when I see one and the four or five Tele/Stratacoustics I've seen have all needed work. Maybe you got the one in 100 that was perfect!?

Fender! 5 minutes of QC and I believe this guitar would sell like hot cakes!