[Comments] Latest Comments from Ultimate-Guitar.Com. en-us Copyright 1998-2013 Ultimate-Guitar.Com. All rights reserved. http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html webmaster@ultimate-guitar.com Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:54:27 -0500 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:28:14 -0500 60 Ultimate-Guitar.Com http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/img/logo_rss.gif http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ 144 44 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_1 POSTED: 07/04/2011 08:27am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:27:15 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_2 MyS3lF wrote:

stop with the 10/10 reviews already

Where is the 'Like' button?
POSTED: 07/04/2011 09:56am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:56:20 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_3 MyS3lF :
stop with the 10/10 reviews already

What if the reviewer realy cant pick a fault with it? Reviews are very subjective and if this particular guitar is perfect for the reviewers needs then why shouldnt he rate it as a 10/10?
POSTED: 07/04/2011 10:02am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:02:09 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_4 LivinJoke84 wrote:

MyS3lF :
stop with the 10/10 reviews already


What if the reviewer realy cant pick a fault with it? Reviews are very subjective and if this particular guitar is perfect for the reviewers needs then why shouldnt he rate it as a 10/10?

Where is the 'Like' button for THIS??
POSTED: 07/04/2011 10:39am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:39:16 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_5 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:00am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:00:11 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_6 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:15am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:15:24 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_7 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:16am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:16:55 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_8 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:19am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:19:06 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_9 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:21am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:21:59 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_10 The^Unforgiven wrote:

I think guitars should be reviewed as objectively as possible. I realize that it can't be done 100% as a guitar is always a subjective experience, but still, all 10's is HIGHLY unlikely - simply not finding anything to fault is no reason for that. A guitar with full grades needs not only to be flawless in every aspect, but also needs to have something truly outstanding to it.

I completely agree to this. I would rate it 10/10 if it was used by some proper good famous guitarist personally, though. They have to use the best of the best or they would sound... not good.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:23am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:23:06 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_11 POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:41am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:41:17 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_12 LivinJoke84 wrote:

MyS3lF :
stop with the 10/10 reviews already

What if the reviewer realy cant pick a fault with it? Reviews are very subjective and if this particular guitar is perfect for the reviewers needs then why shouldnt he rate it as a 10/10?

Yea, totally agree with you, didn't mean to criticize this guitar in particular, because i've read and seen about a dozen reviews already, and it does seem perfect, was just pointing out that there have been too many 10/10 reviews in UG without much content to prove a 10/10
POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:55am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:55:24 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_13 MaxWood wrote:

This guitar sounds like shit, for the price you pay you might as well get a 72' Deluxe.I don't think you can get a 72 Deluxe for 500 USD. I have no idea how the reviewer paid over €500.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:56am]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:56:09 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_14
Great guitar, great for Hard Rock, Grunge, Heavy Metal, virtually anything related to Rock, I would recommend it, and I'm very happy I bought one!
POSTED: 07/04/2011 12:11pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:11:32 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_15
QUIT spamming the nooby reviews...
POSTED: 07/04/2011 12:19pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:19:13 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_16 POSTED: 07/04/2011 12:32pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:32:15 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_17 POSTED: 07/04/2011 01:08pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:08:37 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_18  jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

This guitar sounds like shit, for the price you pay you might as well get a 72' Deluxe.I don't think you can get a 72 Deluxe for 500 USD. I have no idea how the reviewer paid over €500.

€500 is the not the same as $500 though.

POSTED: 07/04/2011 01:20pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:20:51 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_19 POSTED: 07/04/2011 01:40pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:40:44 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_20 MaxWood wrote:

 jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

This guitar sounds like shit, for the price you pay you might as well get a 72' Deluxe.I don't think you can get a 72 Deluxe for 500 USD. I have no idea how the reviewer paid over €500.

€500 is the not the same as $500 though.
That's my point. I have no idea how the reviewer paid €545 (almost $800) for a guitar that only costs $500 (about €350). Perhaps guitars are more expensive in Europe, but that would also make the prices of the '72 higher as well.

In the States, a '72 Deluxe Tele costs $700 (about €480). In Europe I assume it would be much more.

Compare that to the price Koldan paid for the Blacktop. It goes back to what I was saying. You can't get a '72 Deluxe for the same price as a Blacktop. Blacktops are much cheaper.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 02:33pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:33:34 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_21 POSTED: 07/04/2011 02:39pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:39:59 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_22 Glass Prisoner wrote:

A Tele with humbuckers seems a bit sacrilege, but I dunno, maybe it works.
Tele's with humbuckers exist for almost 40 years now, I don't see your point
POSTED: 07/04/2011 02:50pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:50:48 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_23
POSTED: 07/04/2011 03:34pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:34:24 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_24 Koldan wrote:

I gave it a ten because I tried many guitars before I bought this one, I really didn't care about the price I was looking for the perfect guitar to me and when I tried the blacktop telecaster it really sounds perfect to me. I don't agree with some people that say that expensive guitars are better or whatever, I played 1000 euros 2000 euros guitars and this one sounds exactly what I wanted. Btw some one said before that my english sucks and yeah that's true

My bad. I didn't realize English wasn't your first language.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 03:48pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:48:57 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_25
POSTED: 07/04/2011 03:50pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:50:26 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_26 POSTED: 07/04/2011 04:05pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:05:12 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_27 POSTED: 07/04/2011 04:32pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:32:52 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_28 POSTED: 07/04/2011 04:53pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:53:30 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_29  jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

 jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

This guitar sounds like shit, for the price you pay you might as well get a 72' Deluxe.I don't think you can get a 72 Deluxe for 500 USD. I have no idea how the reviewer paid over €500.

€500 is the not the same as $500 though.
That's my point. I have no idea how the reviewer paid €545 (almost $800) for a guitar that only costs $500 (about €350). Perhaps guitars are more expensive in Europe, but that would also make the prices of the '72 higher as well.

In the States, a '72 Deluxe Tele costs $700 (about €480). In Europe I assume it would be much more.

Compare that to the price Koldan paid for the Blacktop. It goes back to what I was saying. You can't get a '72 Deluxe for the same price as a Blacktop. Blacktops are much cheaper.

Yeah guitars are much much more expensive in Europe than over in the US. Not sure why, capitalism I suppose.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 04:56pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:56:35 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_30 POSTED: 07/04/2011 05:21pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:21:07 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_31
Probably the best looking telecaster in my opinion though, just a shame there isn't a real review for it.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 05:21pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:21:29 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_32 Yeah guitars are much much more expensive in Europe than over in the US. Not sure why, capitalism I suppose

Try shipping costs =P.

Koldan wrote:

No problem I just started learning english one year ago

Your English is quite good for 1 year of learning it.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 05:21pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:21:59 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_33 POSTED: 07/04/2011 05:24pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:24:41 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_34 adodin wrote:

Yeah guitars are much much more expensive in Europe than over in the US. Not sure why, capitalism I suppose

Try shipping costs =P.

Koldan wrote:

No problem I just started learning english one year ago

Your English is quite good for 1 year of learning it.
+1.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 06:25pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:25:11 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_35
Cheers.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 06:48pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:48:02 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_36 ProgFolk12 wrote:

I can't beleive there are people here arguing that any guitar can earn 10/10. There is no possible way any guitar can be perfect! What makes every guitar so interesting are the little discrepencies, every guitar is different, but no guitar is perfect. For example, the imperfections in the design of a standard tele stop it being perfect-and that's why I love it. 10/10 reviews defeat the object of reviews, since reviews require criticism to be of any use! /rant. On topic, looks cool. I've seen a few blacktops around and I really ought to try some out, though if I was in the market for a tele it would need single coils, so I'd probably be looking at the Classic Player Baja or the American Special.

Cool story, bro.
POSTED: 07/04/2011 09:03pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:03:46 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_37 although, i may look into changing the saddle bridge. it looks very nice but, if hit with enough force, the strings can get knocked out, plus i think it's slightly too wide for the neck (the low E string used to slip over the neck, although i think i fixed this)
POSTED: 07/04/2011 09:26pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:26:39 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_38 ^ those are the only faults i've found with it.

however, there is some earthing problems. although it doesn't happen all the time, the guitar becomes 'earthed' and touching it (often the metal of the pick-up selector) causes a strong 'humming' sound.

i still love it though XD
POSTED: 07/04/2011 09:29pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:29:03 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_39
POSTED: 07/04/2011 11:23pm]]> Comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:23:07 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_40 blake1221 wrote:

I saw this review and all I wanted to do was inb4 Jay. *pelvic thrust*

I watched some demos of this guitar on Youtube, and they re-opened me to the possibility of getting a blacktop. My main focus is still the FSR Tele, but the Blacktop is a good second or third choice.
POSTED: 07/05/2011 12:37am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:37:24 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_41 POSTED: 07/05/2011 12:45am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:45:58 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_42 Slaytan666 wrote:

It's too bad the reviewer's grammar is only a 6/10
That really has nothing to do with the actual content.
POSTED: 07/05/2011 01:00am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 01:00:42 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_43 POSTED: 07/05/2011 01:52am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 01:52:57 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_44 POSTED: 07/05/2011 02:14am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:14:22 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_45 POSTED: 07/05/2011 02:19am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:19:18 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_46
POSTED: 07/05/2011 05:05am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:05:07 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_47 syracon30 wrote:

The^Unforgiven wrote:

I think guitars should be reviewed as objectively as possible. I realize that it can't be done 100% as a guitar is always a subjective experience, but still, all 10's is HIGHLY unlikely - simply not finding anything to fault is no reason for that. A guitar with full grades needs not only to be flawless in every aspect, but also needs to have something truly outstanding to it.

I completely agree to this. I would rate it 10/10 if it was used by some proper good famous guitarist personally, though. They have to use the best of the best or they would sound... not good.


I would rather play a guitar than none of celebrities play because companies would instantly mark it as a signature model and put +2000$ price just because some guy who plays chords in a popular rock band played this guitar one time on a concert
POSTED: 07/05/2011 05:57am]]> Comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:57:51 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_48  jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

 jetfuel495  wrote:

MaxWood wrote:

This guitar sounds like shit, for the price you pay you might as well get a 72' Deluxe.I don't think you can get a 72 Deluxe for 500 USD. I have no idea how the reviewer paid over €500.

€500 is the not the same as $500 though.
That's my point. I have no idea how the reviewer paid €545 (almost $800) for a guitar that only costs $500 (about €350). Perhaps guitars are more expensive in Europe, but that would also make the prices of the '72 higher as well.

In the States, a '72 Deluxe Tele costs $700 (about €480). In Europe I assume it would be much more.

Compare that to the price Koldan paid for the Blacktop. It goes back to what I was saying. You can't get a '72 Deluxe for the same price as a Blacktop. Blacktops are much cheaper.

Ah I follow now. I tried out a Blacktop in the US when I visited, was planning on buying it (because it's cheaper over there) before I heard how it sounded :/ I already had a 72' Deluxe and it just didn't sound anywhere near as good. I was gutted but it's the truth.
POSTED: 07/06/2011 10:29am]]> Comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:29:24 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_49 POSTED: 07/22/2011 12:03pm]]> Comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:03:40 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_50
POSTED: 08/22/2011 09:33am]]> Comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:33:38 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_51
Everyone I tried had noticeable flaws in the finish (runs in the paint, scratches).

Stock pickups are iffy.

Nice guitars though, good value (they run around $450 in Canada). Buy one and throw in better PUPs and you are in business.
POSTED: 09/17/2011 03:46pm]]> Comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:46:08 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_52 POSTED: 10/17/2011 02:30am]]> Comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:30:30 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_53 Slaytan666 wrote:

It's too bad the reviewer's grammar is only a 6/10Too bad he probably is not an english major with you being a grammer Nazi who understands what he means but still only comments on the. way he spells things and not the review itself.
POSTED: 11/27/2011 12:53am]]> Comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:53:11 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_54 poop_dogg wrote:

just ordered one along with a gibson tony iommi signature pickup which i will put in the bridge. any thoughts on how it will sound? probably wouldn't have gone with the iommi, but it was ridiculously cheap ($70 used).

poop_dogg wrote:

just ordered one along with a gibson tony iommi signature pickup which i will put in the bridge. any thoughts on how it will sound? probably wouldn't have gone with the iommi, but it was ridiculously cheap ($70 used).

Can't hurt to try
POSTED: 11/27/2011 12:54am]]> Comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:54:10 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_55 POSTED: 12/13/2011 12:28am]]> Comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:28:37 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_56 I don´t have an opinion yet about the Blacktop Tele except this review and some others, but I know the pickups, the same as in my Blacktop Strat. They are not weak, I won´t go into details of my strat not to bore you guys, but these humbuckers have punch, for a Fender type of guitar, more than the single-coils obviously, but then the sound is thicker as well, and so if you expect to hear a classic tele, you play country or such, you will find a difference, you may not like it. But if you play it overdriven they sound good. Again, I´d need to hear how they sound on a Telecaster.
I recommend to hear the Youtube demo by Damon Chivers at Nevada UK to have an idea. Yes, in Europe they are more expensive, as in other regions, I live in Argentina, I bought the Blacktop Tele last year for $449 in the U.S., here it´s twice the price. These Blacktops are well built, have good finishing details, they keep in tune.
POSTED: 01/20/2012 08:42pm]]> Comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:42:30 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_57

POSTED: 01/20/2012 08:53pm]]> Comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:53:25 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_58 POSTED: 04/13/2012 12:39pm]]> Comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:39:30 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_59
I concur with many other comments regarding the PU's: they're lifeless, muddy. Not as noticeable when fully cranked up, but very evident when playing at lower, non-overdrive volume.

The bridge is garbage and needed to be swapped out with a Hipshot just to keep it in tune.

The neck a horror: Taking into account that taste in necks are completely subjective, and the radius on this is not to my liking, it seems that no amount of setup work has been able to resolve the sponginess of the middle neck areas on the D & G strings between frets 7 and 12. (seem to be typical of many MIM necks).

So if you replace the neck, the bridge, and the pickups, we're talking a net add of about 600-700 bucks.

Lesson learned.


POSTED: 05/18/2012 02:11pm]]> Comments Fri, 18 May 2012 14:11:48 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_60  jetfuel495  wrote:re that to the price Koldan paid for the Blacktop. It goes back to what I was saying. You can't get a '72 Deluxe for the same price as a Blacktop. Blacktops are much cheaper.

A '72 deluxe here in Europe will cost you about €850...
POSTED: 05/24/2012 10:51am]]> Comments Thu, 24 May 2012 10:51:34 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_61 POSTED: 10/18/2012 09:53pm]]> Comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:53:46 -0400 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_62
The Body- Feels like 4x4 up against you and edges are NOT comfortable compared to a Strat. There is a small smoothed spot at the top but for all the comfort it affords it may as well be made of concrete. I give the Body a 6 because at least its Alder

The Finish- Urethane may as well be Kevlar coz this guitar is bulletproof! 10+

The Neck- compared to my American Strat the back of the neck feels like a baseball bat cut lengthwise and some rosewood frets added to the front. The fret wires are the usual nickel and the fretboard is comfortable to play. The neck could be flatter at the back so I would give it a 6 as well. Feels more like a Les Paul than a Fender.

The Sound- These pickups are HOT! They sustain well and are perfectly suited for metal or heavy rock n roll. They remind me of the buckers that they put in the made in china Jackson JS Series, you can hear every movement your hand makes on the strings and they have a kind of hollow echo. For pickups that are most likely made in the China Squier factory, I'll give em a 6 as well.

Hardware- I realize this guitar is,made in Mexico and doesn't cost a thousand dollars so I will go easy on the hardware. However the pots are the made in china junk that has that draggy feel compared to any American Fender and they are nowhere near smooth. My volume pot came loose after playing for two weeks and I had to tighten it up. The input Jack feels cheap and the 3-way switch feels even cheaper. I am terrified I am going to break the 3 way every time I play it. I will give this section a score of 4.

The Cost- I got mine for around $420.00 and when I think about how much more it would take to satisfy me monetarily by adding CTS pots, Orange Drop caps, a brass bridge, decent tuners, new pickups ( Duncan JB 59s for rock or EMG 81 and 85s for metal) and for Gods sake a quality 3-way switch and input jack, I am left wondering if I would have been better off ordering a body and neck from Stewmac and building it myself.

In Summary- For the price and the Novice this guitar is great. I do enjoy the sound through my Fender Mustang and my buddies Marshall. Anytime Im playing heavy crunchy stuff you betcha I'll be playing this Blacktop Tele until the day I become a 7 or 8 string Swedish Metal guy!!! Overall for value Im giving it a 6. Maybe a 6+
POSTED: 11/06/2012 09:02pm]]> Comments Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:02:28 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_63 POSTED: 12/04/2012 04:30pm]]> Comments Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:30:39 -0500 http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/fender/blacktop_telecaster/index.html#u_64 POSTED: 02/05/2013 05:28pm]]> Comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:28:14 -0500