Gearank High Notes

• 2019.03: Equal Highest Rated Mixed Pickup Solidbody Electric Guitar from $200 to $500
  Tied With:
  Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V
  

Gearank Recommendation

The Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus appeared on our recommended list for Solidbody Electric Guitars Under $500 from March 2019 until July 2019 when it was removed due to a lack of availability.

Overview

This guitar strays from traditional Fender American pickup configurations. It combines the singlecoil neck pickup of a Telecaster, with the singlecoil midde pickup a Stratocaster, and a wide range humbucking pickup on the bridge.

In addition, the bridge pickup is wired so you can split the coils, which means that you're not missing the single coil sound on the bridge position when you want it. It also sports a Stratocaster bridge with string-through-body tailpiece.

All in all, this solid body electric guitar gives you more tone control options, while keeping the classic appeal of the Tele. And this classic appeal is what enamored many big name guitarists to the Telecaster, including James Burton, Keith Richards, Danny Gatton, Muddy Waters and more.

This expanded controls will appeal to guitar players who want more sonic options while maintaining the look of telecaster solid body guitars.

The guitar's single cutaway body is crafted from lightweight pine, which is another departure from the usual alder body. But it is paired with traditional maple neck and fingerboard.

It's a bit pricey, but not as expensive as other Telecaster guitars like the Professional II series, Telecaster Deluxe, and Custom shop instruments. The Telecaster continues to is one of the most iconic guitar types, so a good one can command premium prices quite easily.

If versatility is high on your list, or you want a reasonably priced guitar that's fun to play with, then check out the Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus if you can still find one available in stores or second hand, otherwise you might like to check out these alternatives in our guide to The Best Electric Guitars Under $500.

Specifications

• Body: Pine
• Finish: Honey Burst, Transparent Charcoal
• Bridge: Strat Style 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail Bridge
• Pickups: Tele Style (Neck) and Strat Style (Middle )single-coil pickups, and 1 humbucker bridge pickup
• Neck: Maple
• Scale Length: 25.5”
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5”
• Frets: 22 Jumbo
• Nut Width: 1.650”
• Controls: Master-Volume, Master-Tone, 5-way pickup selector switch, mini-toggle rear coil switch
• Pickup Selector: 5-way toggle switch

Demo