Best Telecaster Style Guitars With Black Hardware in 2024

Here are the top Telecaster style guitars with Black hardware.

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.

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1. Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

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Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 80

Value for money 80

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (15 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

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From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Swamp Ash body
Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body bridge
Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners
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From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Swamp Ash body
Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body bridge
Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Compensated Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Compound Radius Fretboard
Made in South Korea
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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2. Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

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Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 79

Value for money 79

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (7 votes)

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From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Chapman String Through hardtail bridge
C Shape Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) tuners
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From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Chapman String Through hardtail bridge
C Shape Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Black Tusq XL Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Luminescent Inlay
Strap Lock
Made in South Korea
No Expensive Woods
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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3. ESP Stef-T7B

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ESP Stef-T7B

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 75

Value for money 63

Overall Score 78

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From ESP's 2008 Signature series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: (/)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
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From ESP's 2008 Signature series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: (/)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Stef-T7B

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No High-Quality Nut
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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Used from $3,495 >>

4. ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

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ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

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Playability 78

Sound 76

Build quality 77

Value for money 67

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2014 TE series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 707 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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From ESP E-II's 2014 TE series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 707 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. ESP LTD Eclipse '87

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ESP LTD Eclipse '87

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Playability 85

Sound 81

Build quality 65

Value for money 77

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2020 '87 Series Guitars series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2020 '87 Series Guitars series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Eclipse '87

Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Coil Split Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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6. Solar T1.6FRBOP

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Solar T1.6FRBOP

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Playability 73

Sound 82

Build quality 70

Value for money 75

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (12 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)

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From Solar's 2021 Type T series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Swamp Ash body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
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From Solar's 2021 Type T series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Swamp Ash body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar T1.6FRBOP

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar
No Strap Lock

7. Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

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Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

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Playability 78

Sound 77

Build quality 69

Value for money 85

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (13 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (8 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)

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From Harley Benton's 2022 Pro series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Nyatoh body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
WSC Hipshot style hardtail bridge
Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2022 Pro series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Nyatoh body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG Retro Active Hot 70 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
WSC Hipshot style hardtail bridge
Harley Benton Modern C Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
WSC staggered locking die-cast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Fusion-T EMG HT Roasted

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Made in Indonesia
No Expensive Woods
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

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8. Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM Ash

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Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM Ash

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Playability 73

Sound 80

Build quality 72

Value for money 80

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: D (10 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (14 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)

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From Charvel's 2020 Pro-Mod series
Made in Mexico
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Caramelized Maple neck
Caramelized Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-COC (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-COC (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo bridge
Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo frets
Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking tuners
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From Charvel's 2020 Pro-Mod series
Made in Mexico
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Caramelized Maple neck
Caramelized Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-COC (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-COC (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo bridge
Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo frets
Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM Ash

Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Compound Radius Fretboard
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
Made in Mexico
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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9. Dean NashVegas Select Floyd

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Dean NashVegas Select Floyd

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Playability 70

Sound 80

Build quality 60

Value for money 75

Overall Score 70

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)

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From Dean's 2020 Select series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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From Dean's 2020 Select series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean NashVegas Select Floyd

Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tremolo
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar
No Strap Lock

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10. Fender Jim Root Telecaster

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Fender Jim Root Telecaster

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Playability 72

Sound 74

Build quality 64

Value for money 65

Overall Score 70

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (36 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (34 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From Fender's 2010 Artist series
Made in Mexico
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
Modern C Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking tuners
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From Fender's 2010 Artist series
Made in Mexico
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
Modern C Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Jim Root 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