Product Details

Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard

Place of Origin USA
Model Number CUSTOMGUITAR 159
Min.Order Quantity One Set
Price Negotiable
Packaging Details Hardshell Case of Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunbu
Delivery Time Please contact customer service
Payment Terms paypal,UnionPay, Visa/MasterCard, Amex, Discover,T/T
Supply Ability 159

Product Features

Custom Shop features at an incredible price!Through years of experience crafting exceptional guitars, Fender's Custom Shop luthiers compiled a "dream list" of design details and specs, and this customized '50s-style Telecaster guitar, designed by Master Builder Chris Fleming, is loaded with them! Features a soft V-shaped neck fitted with 21 medium jumbo frets, an ash body with a thin polyester finish, a Custom Vintage Broadcaster bridge pickup and a Custom Twisted Tele neck pickup with innovative S-1 four-way switching for incredible tonal variety, vintage-style 3-saddle strings-thru-body Tele bridge, knurled chrome knobs and "Custom Shop Designed" neckplate. Use the drop-down menu above to choose colors and other options.

Body: Ash Neck: 1-Piece Maple, Soft "V" Shape, (Gloss Polyurethane Finish) Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5" Radius (241 mm) No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo Frets Pickups: 1 Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele Single-Coil (Neck), 1 Custom Shop Broadcaster Single-Coil (Bridge) Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone Pickup Switching 4-Position Blade Switch and 2-Position Push/Push S-1 S-1 Switch Up: Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups (In Parallel) Position 3. Neck Pickup (Standard Tele) Position 4. Neck and Bridge Pickups (In Series) (Fatter Tone Than Position 2. and More Output Than Position 1., 2., or 3.) S-1 Switch Down: Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups (In Parallel)-Out of Phase Position 3. Neck Pickup (Standard Tele) Position 4. Neck and Bridge Pickups (In Series) Out of Phase Bridge: Vintage Style 3-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele Bridge Machine Heads: Fender/Ping Vintage Style Tuning Machines Hardware: Chrome Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm) Width at Nut: 1.625" (41.2 mm) Unique Features: Soft "V" Shape Maple Neck, Knurled Chrome Knobs, "Custom Shop Designed" Neck Plate, 4-Way + 2-Way S-1 Switching, Custom Shop '69 Pickups

Ay, caramba, what a sweet deal! Order today.

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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Bought this online here at Custom Guitars Friend. Been playing over 40 years. Owned and used lots of guitars. I play a bit of everything.

Let's talk tone. That's why you buy, is it not? In the realm of tone and sound, this baby is just plain awesome. I am mainly a 'tele guy', so I know my telecasters - from Mexican to Custom Shop. So let me tell you, the tone on this Baja Tele is BETTER than the standard design tele by far, in every possible pickup setting. Taking it a step further, the tone on this is as good or better than any of the half dozen Custom Shop tele's I've owned / played.

The Neck Pickup is incredible. Twisted Tele they call it. I call it 'the best neck pickup I've ever had on a tele'. It snarls, spanks, or soothes depending on your amp setting and how you attack it. The Bridge pickup is addictive as well -- and it's my favorite Tele bridge pickup ever. And the four (4) settings that combine the two pickups are mostly to die for (except the out of phase series setting -- not my cup of tea.) To me, this guitar tone gives you the best of Tele sounds AND Strat-like sounds. And it also gives you one setting where the two pickups combine to mimic hum bucker intensity, sounding sort of les paul-ish. I will note for you, that the output / volume of this guitar is less than a standard Telecaster. I will also note that you may need to turn your 'presence' control down a good bit on the amp.

How does she play? Love the middle-of-the-road neck. Fast and not too thick or too thin either. A great neck sort of becomes invisible to you when you play. That is, you never notice the neck being too this or not enough that. This neck is right in that magic middle for me where it feels like home immediately.

Now, a reluctant note on some of the hardware. (remember: I am a Tele guy, and I am set in my ways on what I consider good hardware). The bridge saddles, and the bridge plate itself were both replaced with Glendale parts - - the best Tele replacement stuff out there, used by Billy Gibbons for example. This made a CLEAR difference in the clarity of the tone, and added a tad of sustain. I also replaced the tuners as the stock ones were the worst I've ever seen on any fender, ever. I bought Gotoh staggered-post (also from Glendale) ones so I can completely avoid needing a string tree. All these things brought the quality of this instrument up to somewhere between American made Tele and Custom Shop tele. It's virtually perfect now -- having invested like $150 and 45 minutes screwing on/in the new bits.

So why would I give this 5 stars? Because of the tone. Yes, I had to do a little hardware work, but I am persnickety and even with the improved hardware, the price of this guitar is a steal. So as my favorite Telecaster, this earns 5 full stars.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.WHOA! I've been playing professionally since 1964, and have owned just about every guitar worth having, including L series strats, very early teles, and too many Gibsons to try and remember. I've played with several big name stars, and still play locally. This telecaster is on par with any of the best tele I've ever played, and it's hard to believe you can buy it for $800. It looks exactly like an original '52 and leaves nothing to be desired in tone and playability. I have never written a review before and probably never will again. If you are a tele picker, buy it before they up the price. A guitar of this quality won't stay cheap long.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.Over all, I've got a great tele. It sounds just as good or better then my more expensive teles, and it's got the best neck that I've ever played on a guitar. To me, the S-1 switch was a HUGE disappointment, but in the end, I've got a super nice blonde/black guard tele that plays like a dream.
The S-1 switch is a neat feature, but I personally don't see much use for it. I removed it and rewired it to standard tele format, but with a 4 way switch. I do like the 4 way switch and I think that all teles would benefit from it. When you get down to it, you only need three positions, but the 4 way does increase versatility of the guitar. I find myself using all 4 positions regularly. So that parts a keeper. S-1 had to go though.

At first I didn't like the pickups in this tele. They were dark and muddy sounding, which I found to be odd from a tele made of ash and maple. However, once I removed the S-1 switch, and wired it up normally, the pick ups seem to have come alive. They are very open and clear and crisp. They sound like high end boutique pups now. I'm assuming that the S-1 switch had some sort of capacitor value in it that wasn't agreeing with the pups. I don't know, but whatever it was, I didn't care for it. If you get this guitar, and find yourself not liking the pups, consider ditching the S-1. Because these are some really nice sounding pickups.
The guitar is well built. I can't find a single flaw in it. The finish is nice and all components seem to be of good quality and well put together. I would pesonally like to have seen a more transparent blonde color, but you can see some faint traces of wood grain through the finish, as you should. I replace all the nuts on my guitars (which are all fenders) with bone. The "synthetic bone" that fender uses does not make good nuts in my opinion.

The guitar will need a set up. I read all these reviews that say "set up was great right out of the box"....I don't buy it. I've never seen a mail order guitar that wasn't in need of a serious set up right out of the box. Even the high end ones. Do yourself a favor, take it to a qualified tech, spend the money and get the thing set up. (this includes truss rod adjustment, nut filing and touch up and preferably replacement, fret leveling (some need it some don't) and get the action set to your preference) It'll make you love it that much more because it will play so much better. Don't kid yourself..it will need set up. They all do.

The neck is what really sells me on this particular guitar. It's supposed to be a soft V profile, but I don't see it. Maybe it's the flatter, 9.5 inch radius that makes it seem bigger. It feels thick and chunky in my hand, and it plays like a dream. The flatter radius makes it more comfortable to play, and allows for a lower action without fretting out in the upper register. I absolutley love this neck. If I could afford it, I'd have Fender custom shop make me necks exactly like this for all my strats and teles. My only complaint about the neck is that to me, the finish on the back was way too thick. But a few steel wool treatments will thin it out nicely. If you do it right you can even get a satin kind of feel to the neck. Did I mention that I love the neck of this guitar???
I want to make it perfectly clear that I truely love this guitar. I bought it for the S-1 switching option, and having found that I don't care for that option to much, I've decided to keep the guitar based on the quality of it's build...mainly the neck. I know some would say that it would make sense to buy a different tele. I considered that, but I can't seem to part with this neck. So I decided to mod it out to the way I like it and keep the guitar.

As far as over all value, it's a hard call for me. If I base it on the sound of the guitar when it is fully stock, then the price is too high. But, based on the build quality and the super fantastical feel of the neck...then it's a great value. I would have been happier paying the price I did for this guitar, if it had come exactly like it is but without the S-1 switch. To me, the S-1 switch is the bane of this guitar. Everything else is great.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.This is my second guitar in the Classic Player line, and I love them both. The first was the Classic Players '50's Strat, and now this Classic Player Baja Tele.

Like the Strat, it has a great neck, with a soft V shape that I find much preferable to the more common C Shape necks.

The quality of the instrument is first rate. Nice, smooth fretwork, perfect finish,(I got the blonde, and it's a lovely butterscotch with a hint of grain showing through) and a decent, if not perfect initial set up. The .10's seem perfectly paired with this guitar.

But the biggest pro to this model Tele is the intrument's extreme versatility. I don't think I've ever played an instrument with such a broad tonal range. You get the normal Tele options in the first three positions, (with great-sounding pickups, by the way) but then you also get a fourth posistion that gives you a really nice, almost humbucker sound. I really like this position myself. This alone gives you four great settings. (And playing with the Volume and Tone knobs increases the range exponentially, from glassy to biting, to gnarly.)

As for the S1 Switch...

So far, I've found that I don't particulary care for the two additional combinations engaging the S1 switch provides. I find them a bit harsh, myself. But that's just me, your mileage may vary.

To sum up, I'm really pleased with the quality of the Classic Player line, and am a bit surprised that Fender isn't charging $1000+ for these models. Definitley the best mid-priced Fenders I've found so far.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.Body: I prefer ash vs. alder, so that was a factor in choosing this model over some other Teles. The specific guitar I received has a chimey bright tone when played acoustically (not plugged in) and is very resonant. I wanted a bright Tele, so this body ended up fitting the bill. Naturally, preferences will vary. I'm almost 100% sure that the body I got is a single piece of wood because I don't see any break in the grain even over cuts and corners. Comparing the Baja Tele to an American Deluxe Tele, I clearly see where the three pieces of ash were glued together to form the Deluxe body. You don't see that on my Baja (veneer?). It's medium weight; not too light, not too heavy. I have the butterscotch finish, and the grain pokes through, which I like.

Neck: Chunky with comfortable "V." Thought I wouldn't like this because my hands are slightly smaller, but I love it. Very comfortable and the heft makes for nice leverage when bending or just playing chords. The frets were also a concern. I've played MIM Teles with horrible fret work; sharp enough to cut your fingers. The Baja is completely different; very nice fret work. This neck is equal to any Amer. Tele. neck.

Pickups: Overall, on the bright side. To me, the Baja is what a Tele should sound like (but I don't play country, so maybe take with grain of salt). Mixture of sweet, twang, and chime. Side-by-side with an American Deluxe Tele with Noiseless N3, the Noiseless pickups were darker. The Baja pickups were more flexible in that dialing back the tone or volume gets same N3 Noiseless tone; tone back at 10 is bright. Both pickups in parallel (std. tele) is that sweet Tele sound. Perfect for Rhythm. Full and defined, but not dark (unless you dial back). The bridge alone is twangy, can be "ice pick," but doesn't have to be: depends on amp settings & playing style. Bridge is clear and meaty with dirt. The neck is a rich bell tone, not dark, but you can dial that in with the tone knob if you want it. The #4 position (both in series) is a decent imitation of humbuckers in middle position, nice with dirt. The S1 switching is not particularly useful. I find regular #2 or #3 position better for funk rhythm and R&B stuff vs. the S1 options.

Pleased overall. Also, purchased as a "blemished" guitar (can't find the blemish) so happy with the price.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.Extremely versatile guitar. Fantastic tone and possibly the best neck I've ever played on an electric. I got the black on black one when they first became available in the states. Sounds great no matter your style of music.

I adore this guitar, I was almost bought the American Special, and my local shop sold me on the Baja after much skepticism about buying a Mexican Fender. I'm thrilled with it. Better craftsmanship for less than the American Special (or even some Standards) I played, and better electronics.

A total steal for the money.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.I wanted a Tele to practice with so I could leave my American Standard at the house. I read reviews for months and months and finally narrowed it down to this one and the Road Worn Tele. The PUP's in this Tele finally sold me and I ordered this one. Shipping was quick, as always. Got the guitar, plugged it in and I hated it. Sounded awful. I tried different combinations of pedals and just could not get a decent sound out of it.

I decided to send it back, and while boxing it up I decided to give it one more try, only this time I tweaked the amp. All I can say is WOW - made a world of difference. The guitar was more alive and sounded awesome. I can't put it down now. I haven't touched my American Tele since and this is a much better value for the price. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a twangy, country sound. Great for modern country stuff.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.Short and Sweet! Take this guitar, add a bone nut, compensator brass saddles, good strings, and a good hard shell case you will have a $2000 dollar custom shop Tele..... REALLY!
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
. This guitar is increable. Period. I have played it out and all of my bandmates and the people in the crowd agree that it sounds great. I play Rock, Blues, Country, ect... and it fits very well. I play this guitar through a Fender Blues Jr for smaller venues and through a 2x12 half stack for the bigger venues. Being a Tele it sounds great for the courty music but then if you role the volue up and drive the tubes alittle harder you get that black crowe sound. For the blues just put it on the neck pick up and go. I have always been a gibson guy and then i picked up this fnder and fell in love with it. Don't get me wrong i love my les pauls but this is great for those songs that are alittle less rock and more country. I highly recomend this guitar to ANYONE, especially someone who is a tone chaser like me because it is very versital and makes dialing in that perfect tone for what ever kind of music much easier.
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
.I sent this guitar back.
This review is on the Desert Sand BAJA Telecaster..The neck is very good on this guitar it felt smooth and Almost like American made Neck. The body was what you would come to expect on a Mexican guitar nothing special IMO. I was hoping that the S-1 Switching would make the difference in buying this guitar, But I didn't really find it useful, It sounded okay but for the price save a few more bills and get the American Telecaster. Again this is only my review. I played this with the Fender Blues Jr amp for this review.
Neck was the best part of this guitar, Smooth playing neck good finish on it slighty tinted, The Ash Body was okay at best. I had to tweak the bridge before playing.
overrated
Fender Classic Series Classic Player Baja Telecaster Electric Guitar 2-Color Sunburst Maple Fingerboard
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