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Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
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Playability
75
Sound
74
Build
75
Value
60
Score
75
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Playability
75
Sound
75
Build
73
Value
59
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster vs Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster over Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Pickups
SP90 vs P90P90
Bright tone with vintage-style jazzy tone
Value Score
60 vs 59
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster over Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster

Pickups
P90P90 vs SP90
Vintage tone with decent versatility

Other Key Differences
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster vs Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster vs Fender Custom Shop P90
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Koa vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster vs Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster

Neck Pickup
Fender Custom Shop P90
Same Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Flame Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
21
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Aged
Paint has been artificially aged
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
4A Figured Koa vs Burl
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Compound Radius
9.5" to 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Prices

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Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster's 74 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster wins when it comes to build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster has the upper hand when it comes to sound.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 2020 Artisan series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 4A Figured Koa top
  • Chambered 2-Piece Fiji Mahogany with 4A Figured Koa Top body
  • 4A Roasted Flame Maple neck
  • Round-Lam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Reverse Nocaster Bridge with Brass RSD Saddles bridge
  • '60s Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Jumbo frets
  • Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 2020 Artisan series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burl top
  • 1-Piece Vintage Michigan Mahogany body
  • 3A Roasted Flame Maple neck
  • Round-Laminated Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Hardtail with Pat. Pend. Saddles bridge
  • 1960 Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage Style tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Flame Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Flame Maple

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Woods Used in the Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Koa wood pattern used for guitar building
Koa

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

It's a type of wood native to the Hawaiian Islands, where it's pretty common. Its musical properties make it a great wood for making guitars, but it's especially popular for building Ukuleles. Find out more about Koa.

Woods Used in the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster has an SP90 configuration while the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster has P90P90 pickups.

The single-coil pickup at the bridge will give you a really bright sound with low output, while the neck pickup brings slightly more output with a warmer tone. This is thanks to the P90-style tone, which is often used for blues and classic rock.

On the other hand, P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

Pickups Quality

Both come with some of the top pickups on the market. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll probably never need a pickup upgrade.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster and Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster and Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 75

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster compares to the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in United States.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Bone nuts. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster's are Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons while the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster's are Vintage Style

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
Quality of materials 60
Features 65
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 75
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
Quality of materials 60
Features 60
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 73

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 41.9mm (1.65'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster and Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Neck Profile
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster's neck profile
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster Neck Profile
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster and the Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster and Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster vs Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
General Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
Brand: Fender Custom Fender Custom
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: SP90 P90P90
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Artisan Artisan
Colors: Natural Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Chambered 2-Piece Fiji Mahogany with 4A Figured Koa Top 1-Piece Vintage Michigan Mahogany
Bridge: Reverse Nocaster Bridge with Brass RSD Saddles 6-Saddle Hardtail with Pat. Pend. Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons Vintage Style
Fretboard: Round-Lam Ebony Round-Laminated Rosewood
Neck Material: 4A Roasted Flame Maple 3A Roasted Flame Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl dot Vintage Clay Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: '60s Oval C 1960 Oval C
Frets: 21 Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" to 12" 9.5" to 12"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 41.9mm (1.65'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1