Best 21 Fret Telecaster Style Guitars in 2026
Here you'll find the best 21 fret Telecaster style guitars.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Fender Custom American Custom Tele
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom American Custom Tele | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | American Custom | |
| Colors: | Black, Brown Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | 2-Piece Select Ash | |
| Bridge: | '58-'63 Tele Bridge with Brass RSD Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Sperzel Die-Cast with White Pearloid Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Laminated Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 2A Roasted Birdseye Maple | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 1960 Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special Tele Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Seth Lover SH-55 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom American Custom Tele
Fender Custom American Custom Tele
- 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
All Prices
2. Fender Brent Mason Telecaster
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender Brent Mason Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SSH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Ash | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Telecaster Bridge with Glaser Bender System | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Sperzel Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Late 60s C | |
| Frets: | 21 Vintage Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 7.25" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack Tele STK-T3B (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Hot Stack Strat STK-S2 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Vintage Mini HB (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Brent Mason Telecaster
Fender Brent Mason Telecaster
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
All Prices
3. Ibanez FLATV1
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: V (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Ibanez FLATV1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | FLATV | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Ash | |
| Bridge: | Gotoh F1803 | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh machine heads | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple | |
| Neck Material: | 1pc Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | FLATV | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm) | |
| Frets: | 21 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan FLAT5 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan FLAT5 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez FLATV1
Ibanez FLATV1
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SP90 | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artisan | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | 4A Figured Koa | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Chambered 2-Piece Fiji Mahogany with 4A Figured Koa Top | |
| Bridge: | Reverse Nocaster Bridge with Brass RSD Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Lam Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 4A Roasted Flame Maple | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | '60s Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Koa P90 Telecaster
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
All Prices
5. Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | P90P90 | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artisan | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Burl | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | 1-Piece Vintage Michigan Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Hardtail with Pat. Pend. Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Laminated Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3A Roasted Flame Maple | |
| Decoration: | Vintage Clay Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 1960 Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop P90 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Maple Burl Dual P90 Telecaster
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
All Prices
6. Fender Custom '52 Telecaster
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom '52 Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Time Machine | |
| Colors: | Yellow | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | 2-Piece Select Ash | |
| Bridge: | 3-Saddle Vintage Style Tele with Barrel Brass Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style | |
| Fretboard: | 1-Piece Maple Neck | |
| Neck Material: | 1-Piece Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | Micarta Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 1957 Soft V | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 7.25" to 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '50/'51 Blackguard (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '50/'51 Blackguard (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom '52 Telecaster
Fender Custom '52 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
All Prices
7. Fender Chrissie Hynde Telecaster
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender Chrissie Hynde Telecaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | Blue | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Tele with Stainless Steel Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking with Vintage Style Button | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Mid 60s C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.975'' (24.8mm) | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 7.25" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Vintage-Style 50s Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Vintage-Style 50s Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Chrissie Hynde Telecaster
Fender Chrissie Hynde Telecaster
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Mexico
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Fender Custom Artisan Knotty Pine Tele Thinline RW
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom Artisan Knotty Pine Tele Thinline RW | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artisan | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Semi-Hollow | |
| Body Material: | Roasted Pine | |
| Bridge: | '58-'63 Tele Bridge with Brass RSD Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | 3A Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 2A Roasted Birdseye Maple | |
| Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | '60s Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Loaded '51 Nocaster (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Knotty Pine Tele Thinline RW
Fender Custom Artisan Knotty Pine Tele Thinline RW
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Vintage Custom | |
| Colors: | Blue, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | 2-Piece Select Alder | |
| Bridge: | 3-Saddle '67 Telecaster with Threaded Steel Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Schaller F | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Laminated Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | Micarta Black Dot 7mm | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | '60s Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 7.25" to 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
- Made in United States
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Expensive Woods
- 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
All Prices
10. Fender Custom '68 Tele Thinline Journeyman Relic
Show All Specs
| Fender Custom '68 Tele Thinline Journeyman Relic | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Custom | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | SS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Time Machine | |
| Colors: | Sunburst, Black, Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Semi-Hollow | |
| Body Material: | 1-Piece Vintage Michigan Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Bigsby B5 Bridge and Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Schaller F | |
| Fretboard: | Round-Laminated Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Rift Sawn Maple | |
| Decoration: | Micarta Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 1960 Oval C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Twisted Tele Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Twisted Tele Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom '68 Tele Thinline Journeyman Relic
Fender Custom '68 Tele Thinline Journeyman Relic
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock








