Fender Standard Telecaster (Mexican) Electric Guitar Review
Make / Model: Fender Telecaster (Mexican)
Gear Type: Guitars
Cost / Purchase Detail: I was shopping for a sort of utility guitar to use for giving my son lessons. Fender seems to have recaptured some of the original (pre-CBS) spirit in their new instruments, so I figured a basic Telecaster or Stratocaster would be durable, playable, and sound really good. After looking at and playing a bunch of guitars, I settled on a Telecaster as the likely choice and had to decide between two, both sunburst with maple neck, one American and the other Mexican. The American was a little more refined in the details, but dollar for dollar the Mexican was a much better deal at about $300.
What you like: Comparing the American Tele to the Mexican was difficult--they were almost identical. They played and sounded the same as well. The necks were identical. The hardware was also pretty much identical. The only significant visible difference was that the grain in the wood of the Mexican guitar body was not quite as perfect as the American one. The finish was beautiful, but the grain was not quite as smooth.
What you don't like: I can't say that there is anything I don't like about this guitar. About the only thing I don't like as well as the American version is that the body, to me, feels just a little bit heavier.
Construction / Quality: Unlike the Mexican Stratocasters, which I find to be less well made than the Squier Strats, the Mexican Tele is built with excellent fit and finish and attention to detail. The wood in the body is not quite as good a quality as the American versions, but most models hide that beneath a nicely applied finish. I think the finish is a urethane rather than the nitrocellulose that Fender has been using on American versions, but that is a cosmetic detail that won't really matter to most players.
Bottom Line: As far as I'm concerned the Mexican Fender Telecaster is one of the best guitar bargains on the market. It is an especially good deal if you plan to do any customizing. Take the money you saved by buing the Mexican version, and upgrade as much as you'd like. You'll come out way ahead. I've rated this a 4 out of 5 rather than a 5 because it is a Fender--an instrument designed for comfort, durability, and playability, not superiority. I'd save a 5 for a hand-made.
Rating: 4 out of 5!
Author: Phil Holt
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