Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster SHDW BST
Discover the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster in detail
The development of Fender's groundbreaking Acoustasonic guitars continues with the introduction of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. Like the Player Series electric guitars, the Acoustasonic Player is made in Mexico. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster offers many of the same great features as its US-made relatives, but opens the door to a wider audience by streamlining features to the essentials and making it more affordable.
Although there are a few subtle differences, the workmanship of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is virtually identical to that of the American Acoustasonic models. The Acoustasonic Player was designed from the same blueprint and doesn't compromise if you want the great feel and craftsmanship of an Acoustasonic.
Construction
The hollow mahogany body is lightweight, ergonomically shaped and fitted with a forearm contour. The spruce top is set into the body and elegantly finished with a thin three-ply black/white/black binding. Additional comfort is found in the upper registers of the fretboard: a contoured neck heel and a neckplate integrated into the body make playing in the upper positions a pleasure. The fretboard, controls and bridge of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster are made from ebony. Harder and denser than rosewood, ebony is sometimes so dark that the grain is nearly invisible — it can also be heavily figured with streaks ranging from golden to light brown.
The Acoustasonic body features a recessed top with an integrated armrest and Fender's patented Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS) with the Tuned Soundhole, which uses a "Waterfall" design to better control airflow into the body. This innovation produces a natural acoustic tone when the guitar isn't plugged in and forms the foundation of the Acoustic Engine. With the Tuned Soundhole as part of the sonic foundation, you can create an almost unlimited tonal palette using just two controls.
The mahogany neck and headstock of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster feature a laser‑engraved logo — a sleek high‑tech detail that adds to the instrument's beauty. Chrome tuning machines and a "Wing" string retainer increase the string break angle at the nut and help ensure balanced string tension.
Acoustic Engine
For the design of the pickup system Fender enlisted Larry Fishman and his team — they proved to be the perfect partners. In developing the Acoustasonic Telecaster's electronics something entirely new was created: the Acoustic Engine. A groundbreaking technology that provides a curated collection of acoustic and electric sounds you've never heard combined in a single instrument before.
The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster has a similar design to the American Acoustasonic Tele but is equipped with two pickups, whereas the American models have three. The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster also features a 3‑way pickup selector switch, while the American Acoustasonic Telecaster has a 5‑way pickup selector.
These pickups are responsible for the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster's sound:
- Fishman Matrix™ Narrow Undersaddle transducer: The acoustic sound begins with Fishman's renowned Matrix Narrow undersaddle transducer, which is installed directly under the saddle
- Fender Acoustasonic N4 Noiseless™: Pickup‑wizard Tim Shaw specifically designed this pickup for the Acoustasonic Player series.
The Acoustasonic Player Telecaster offers three unique voice pairings for a total of six acoustic and electric "best‑of" voicings. The voices can be played solo or blended together to create entirely new sounds. Switch between positions with the simplified 3‑way switch and then turn the blend control to mix between voicing "A" and "B", switch them and unlock a wide tonal spectrum. For the "A" voice the blend control is turned fully counterclockwise; for the "B" voice it is fully clockwise.
- Position 1: Cleaner Tele sound (A) through to heavy overdrive (B)
- Position 2: Acoustic piezo sound (A); moving toward B adds electric guitar tone
- Position 3: The sound of a mahogany parlour guitar (A) can be blended with a rosewood dreadnought (B)
Tip: We recommend you play Fender Acoustasonic guitars through an acoustic amplifier, as this makes better use of their tonal capabilities than a standard electric‑guitar amp. Alternatively, you can run the Acoustasonic directly into an interface.
Power
Another difference to the US‑made Acoustasonics: the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is powered by a 9V battery, making it easier than ever to power up the Acoustasonic Player and get it ready to play. With a fresh battery the Acoustasonic Player will deliver more than 20 hours of playing time. Thanks to a quick‑access compartment on the back of the guitar, changing the battery takes only a few seconds.
Product information "Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster SHDW BST"
With the Acoustasonic series, Fender has hit a real home run - an electric/acoustic Guitar/Sound with the comfortable playability of a solid body electric Guitar. The Mexican Acoustasonic Tele SHDW BST, from the Player Series makes this type of guitar more affordable. The Mahogany/ Rosewood neck is bolted to the Mahogany/Spruce body. For official acoustic sound, the Aooustic Engine, developed in collaboration with acoustic pickup specialist Fishman. For that classic electric guitar sound, Fender has added a Fender N4 Single Coil.
- Back / Sides: Mahogany
- Binding: Black/White/Black
- Body Shape: T-Style
- Body Shape: T-Style
- Body finish: Satin
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Bridge-Pins: Graph Tech Tusq
- Color/ Finish: Shadow Burst
- Colour: Sunburst
- Construction / Acoustic: Solid (Top)
- Controls: 1x Volume, 1x Blend, 3-Way-Switch
- Country of Origin: Mexico
- Cutaway: yes
- Factory Stringing: Fender Dura-Tone Coated Phosphor Bronze
- Finish: Polyurethane ( Body), Urethane (Neck)
- Finish: Matt
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Fretboard Inlays: White Dot
- Fretboard radius: 12" (305 mm)
- Fret material: Nickel silver
- Frets: 22
- Fret size: Narrow Tall
- Headstock: Mahogany
- Includes: Gigbag
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Mount: Bolt on neck
- Neck Profile: Modern "Deep C"
- Neck finish: Satin
- Nut Width: 42,86 mm
- Pickup Details: 2-pickup configuration: Under-Saddle Piezo/N4 Magnetic
- Pre-amp system: Under-Saddle Piezo/N4 Magnetic
- Rosette: Black/White/Black
- Saddle/Cross piece inlay: Graph Tech Tusq
- Scale Length: 25,5" (648 mm)
- Strings: 6 string
- Strings thickness ex factory: .011 - .052
- Top: Spruce
- Top Bracing: Transverse
- Tuning Machines: Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered
- Beveled Armrest
- Waterfall Soundhole
To make a Fender instrument available to everyone, they are offered in different price ranges. The subsidiary Squier sells affordable, Far East-made models built to original specifications with Fender know-how in the background. An affordable, "real" Fender can be found in the series made in Mexico. The classic original Fender instruments, such as the American Pro series, are made in the USA. For lovers of hand-built instruments and guitars with vintage flair there is the Fender Custom Shop, where you can even have a guitar built completely to your own specifications.
But Fender is not only known and appreciated for its instruments, it is also famous for various amplifiers such as the Deluxe Reverb, the Princeton, the Champion, the Blues Junior and the Fender Rumble bass amp range. Fender now also offers a wide range of guitar accessories like strings, picks, cables, straps, cases, tuners and care products, as well as spare parts and pickups, plus accessories and merchandising. You can of course find all of this at the music shop you trust – session in Frankfurt and Walldorf!
