Modern Player Telecaster Plus Review

The bridge humbucker is paticularly good for that Nirvana kind of top end crunch. However it can go into even some forms of metal! Trust me, this axe is a versatile beast.

Features:	9
Sound:	8
Action:	7
Reliability:	8
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.4
Reviewer rating:	8.2
Users rating:	8.6
Votes:	27

overall: 8.2

Reviewed by: KingSwedefire, on january 19, 2012

Price paid: £ 337

Purchased from: Dawsons Music

Features: Made in China, 2011.
- 22 medium jumbo frets on a maple neck.
- Pine body
- HSS pickup configuration consisting of a Modern Player humbucker, a Strat middle pup and a Tele neck pickup.
- Coil tap
- Available in honeyburst (mine) or charcoal (which is actually black). Flawless finish // 9

Sound: I play things like RHCP, White Stripes, Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Soundgarden, among others. The bridge humbucker is paticularly good for that Nirvana kind of top end crunch. However it can go into even some forms of metal! Trust me, this axe is a versatile beast. The coil tap is a bit disappointing however, as it produces an incredibly weak sound, although it is good for some funk. The Strat and Tele pickups work as you'd expect, noise and all, yet despite the Tele pup, this does feel like just a fat Strat in a Telecaster suit, though I like this. It's very nice though that the middle and neck pickups together are noise cancelling. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The action was fine when this guitar came, and the pickups were adjusted fine. However, what did cheese me off somewhat was that mine had a loose output jack, though this was an easy fix, nothing to worry about too much. The action was well set up on mine, maybe a bit buzzy, but different peoples modern players probably have a varying success rate. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I don't play live, and haven't had the guitar long enough to see it's up for the test, but when I know I will state in the comments. Despite what people say, the pine wood feels very solid and the strap locks are tight, and the finish seems good enough to last. // 8

Impression: I play alot of different music types, and this versatile guitar is perfect for all of them. Sure, I've only been playing for two years, but this is a beautiful guitar that is so affordable that everyone should own one. Having considered this and the Mexican made Standard Telecaster, this is as well built and more versatile for a better price. China isn't as bad quality as people think, it would seem. If it were stolen, I'd buy another, its that good. Go buy one now! // 9

Comments

[rv_phoenix]

China isn't as bad quality as people think, it would seem.

Or our distinguished reviewer isn't experienced enough to notice?
Being equipment-addicted, I've tested the entire Modern Player Series as soon as the guitars reached to music shops.
It's a shame. And a pity. Instead of innovating, Fender prefered to make money. Modern Player Series is an attempt to get to undecided, beginner Indie players. But Indie players are more interested in basic things, than sophisticated guitars. Hence, Modern Player Series is cheap, sporting cheap electronics, lousy pickups, and not very confortable. The playing feel is quiet awkward. The only Fender thing is the logo.
This Tele might be versatile, but a Squier Tele Classic Vibe smashes it in any respect. And it's way cheaper.

[overdrive_91]

I don't know what this one's like, but I love my modern player thinline tele with P90's.

[MrFlibble]

rv_phoenixInstead of innovating, Fender prefered to make money.[quote]Breaking news! Company likes to make money! Large corporation has stock holders to answer to! Weird things don't sell as well as tried and tested designs!

It's all very well banging on about innovation, but in reality that's not Fender's job, nor should it be.

However,
[quote]This Tele might be versatile, but a Squier Tele Classic Vibe smashes it in any respect. And it's way cheaper.

I do agree with this. Having tried two of these (and one of the Thinlines from the same Modern Player series) and having had many of the Classic Vibes pass through my hands, I would say with some confidence that everyone should buy the Squiers instead, unless you are really desperate for a middle single coil. These Modern Player Fenders basically are Squiers but with the price bumped up because of the more prestigious logo on the headstock. At their core they're made in the same place using predominantly the same parts, but the Squiers are of course cheaper.

[MrFlibble]

Well, messed the quote tag up there. Way, U-G doesn't have an edit button...

[shredftw]

i played one of these today, and confirmed that there is nothing that Fender makes that I would buy. Everything they do is done by other companies a lot better IMO, and yeah you may pay a bit more for it (not in all circumstances) but you get a lot more than what you pay for

i just cannot get excited by any Fender product

[SlenderMan`]

rv_phoenix wrote:

But Indie players are more interested in basic things, than sophisticated guitars.

Wow retard alert. No offence man but that's just plain out ignorant. For example, Yannis from Foals guitar/gear collection is probably worth more than your house. Actually, his modest pedal board is worth more then your whole gear set.

Thats just one of many examples.

Oh and I'm a diehard thrash metal head by the way so any "omg indie hipster fanboy" call you could try making is invalid.

Nice guitar bro, glad you like it

[SlenderMan`]

SlenderMan` wrote:

Yannis from Foals guitar/gear collection is probably worth more than your house.

and trust me, he aint got much gear

[Metal_Mesh]

Cool! Love this series! And I ain't play Indie. I play classic rock/blues and I think this guitar would be perfect for that!

[sim_1113]

Fender blows, all you are paying for is the fender name, just like Gibson. I would go for dean, schecter, esp, ibanez, or jackson anyday if you need a good guitar for a reasonable price

[itamar100]

sim_1113 wrote:

Fender blows, all you are paying for is the fender name, just like Gibson. I would go for dean, schecter, esp, ibanez, or jackson anyday if you need a good guitar for a reasonable price

1) these guitars that you talked about are for metal, not blues/rock.
2) in most cases, fender and gibson arent (very) overpriced and same with this case.
i played this, and although its not a "real" fender, it played great, sounded decent, and the finish was great.

[conkerandco]

Yeh, i bought one of these and it is on par, if not better than my mexican baja tele (supposedly one of the best guitars fender makes in mexico) especially in respect to fit & finish.

And whats the point in suggesting dean and jackson on a telecaster review...really?

[rob904]

sim_1113 wrote:

Fender blows, all you are paying for is the fender name, just like Gibson. I would go for dean, schecter, esp, ibanez, or jackson anyday if you need a good guitar for a reasonable price

lolololololololol American made Jackson's are made in the Fender factory in Corona, and Jackson has been owned by Fender since 2002.

[lefty311]

Pine body? That is terrible. Pine shouldn't be allowed anywhere else but in a fire.

[FloyDZeD]

lefty311 wrote:

Pine body? That is terrible. Pine shouldn't be allowed anywhere else but in a fire.

The first Teles (might have been Esquires) were made out of pine.

Anyways, I tried one of these and was not impressed. I also saw one that either needed a serious neck adjustment, a new nut, or the bridge redrilled as the high e was off the fretboard at the high frets.

[sim_1113]

I'm not a big Jackson fan either, just noted them since I've played on some very good low end ones, but ibanez makes some of the most versatile guitars out there. I have an RG for $400 that blows most other guitars out of the water. I also have a dean razorback and I play country/blues music with it in a band, so no, those guitars are not ONLY for metal.

Fender and Gibson are the ones that are only made for ONE type of music

[sim_1113]

And I wasn't suggesting anything. Just merely stating that the brand of the guitar you are looking at/liking, is generally overpriced crap. Lol but I'm just being a dick typing on a computer, my opinion doesn't matter

[sim_1113]

I play all styles and out of all the guitars I've played in my 7 years of playing, I've never had a fender in my hand that made me say, WOW! Even $2000+ American customs, teles, etc, but everyone's different so like I said, who cares, my opinion.

[Tokai09]

rv_phoenix wrote:

China isn't as bad quality as people think, it would seem.

Or our distinguished reviewer isn't experienced enough to notice?

Sorry, but that's a personal point of view. Just because someone prefers Chinese or any other build quality doesn't mean they're inexperienced. I've played American guitars that feel terrible and some that feel great. Same with Chinese built guitars.

Just saying ya'know

[bustapr]

sim_1113 wrote:
Fender and Gibson are the ones that are only made for ONE type of music

theres so much wrong here. Since when are gibson guitars only made for ONE type of music? And are you aware of how many genres there are where fenders are the favorites?

And Im going to throw an opinion here, I believe Dean Razorbacks are shit, no offence, and I think alot of people who have owned/played one would agree.

[Andrew C. S.]

sim_1113 wrote:

Fender blows, all you are paying for is the fender name, just like Gibson. I would go for dean, schecter, esp, ibanez, or jackson anyday if you need a good guitar for a reasonable price

With the exception of ESP and Schecter, those brands make some of the worst guitars around.

[Simothesimo]

any beneath an american standard, and your going to get ripped off.

[therosa69]

Andrew C. S. wrote:
With the exception of ESP and Schecter, those brands make some of the worst guitars around.

Says the guy with an LTD and Marshall MG.

[rhcp132]

having a bitch much. truth is, most guitars under 1500 arn't that great. not saying all, but most will have the usual problems. that being said, most guitars over 1500 and in the 2000's are excellent regardless of brand. its fact that u pay for quality so don't rip on one brand. i love fenders, but also love top end sg's and es's but i will always pay over 2 grand for one

[RealStealGuitar]

what the hell. no. teles are not supposed to have humbuckers... teles arent a nirvana style guitar. wow.

[Andrew C. S.]

therosa69 wrote:

Andrew C. S. wrote:
With the exception of ESP and Schecter, those brands make some of the worst guitars around.

Says the guy with an LTD and Marshall MG.

You have an Eclipse so I don't know what your deal is.

[MrFlibble]

RealStealGuitar wrote:

what the hell. no. teles are not supposed to have humbuckers... teles arent a nirvana style guitar. wow.

Fender has been putting humbuckers in Teles since the 50s.

lefty311 wrote:

Pine body? That is terrible. Pine shouldn't be allowed anywhere else but in a fire.

Pine is a great body wood, actually. It's very similar to ash but not quite as scooped-sounding.

itamar100 wrote:
1) these guitars that you talked about are for metal, not blues/rock.

ESP, for example, makes traditional-style Strats and Teles. No brand is exclusively only for one style of music.

[Callus1]

sim_1113 wrote

I also have a dean razorback and I play country/blues music with it in a band, so no, those guitars are not ONLY for metal.

No offence, but I bet you look like a complete fool...

[Preid]

Im wondering why Fender have chosen to call this a Plus series guitar? I own two fender plus guitars from the late 80's and early 90's and I doubt these will be able to hold up the name.

Fender has been dissapointing me ever more as the years go by.

[srvdmc2163]

if you want a guitar of equal quality to fenders and gibsons ( i have owned loads of high end gibsons/fenders), take a look at Reverend guitars. amazing and 1/3 the cost of a comparable fender/gibson.

[rv_phoenix]

Tokai09 wrote:

Sorry, but that's a personal point of view. Just because someone prefers Chinese or any other build quality doesn't mean they're inexperienced. I've played American guitars that feel terrible and some that feel great. Same with Chinese built guitars.

Just saying ya'know

Everything written here is a personal point of view. But your argument has a flaw. You compare a bad American guitar (and there's plenty of them!) with bad Chinese guitars (and there's even more). While I was talking about consistency. In the same price range, you have many many many more chances to find a bad Chinese than a bad American. Good Chinese guitars reach to the same prices of an American, Canadian or European-made axe, which is insane, given the fact that wages in China are 10 times lower than here. Some makes (like BC Rich, Washburn or Epiphone) have almost ruined their reputation when moving to China, while others, like Hamer, have clearly separated their USA-made guitars (called Hamer USA) from those made in China, called Hamer XF. Etc. etc.
And I'm not blaming the Chinese for quality flaws in our guitars. I put the blame on the greed of some makers, who prefer to sell more and lower the quality. Unfortunately, they are too many and the tide can't be turned. We will end by playing on crap... or sell our houses to get a real axe.

[paulandjools]

Try G&L guitars if you like the tele shape, great guitars, looks like a tele but the build quality is far superior than the chinese teles and they sound amazing and the price is very competitive. Just an opinion but, if you want a Fender or a Gibson, surely thats your choice? Ihere are people out there who will pay over the odds for the prestige of the name on their headstock. Personally, I have a Satellite Les Paul that cost me £20 as a project that will knock any Les Paul and also a Tele from a company called extreme that I dropped decent Pick ups into and it sounds as good as my Tele Classic player. Its about how the guitar sounds and feels, not about how much it costs. The ultimate test is when you actually play the guitar, not how I or everybody else thinks, Its a big decision so go try them all out and get the one that suits your style and the one that you like the most.

[nikh158]

Did You Know: a certain James Page played a Tele while recording and only used the Gibson when he played live?

[depech]

I have been listening to many demos and the Americans appear to have more powerful pickups, but I like the warmer sound of the Mexican Standard over the more classic Tele sound of the vintage models, and the price is half of the Americans, so I bought a Blacktop Strat which is $100 more now than it was a year ago. That guitar is really well finished, and allows a unique combination of individual coils on its humbuckers, not losing its characteristic Strat sound. I also have a Squier Strat which after doing some adjustments was improved in output and tuning stability, I like playing it. I don´t like much the custom or vintage teles, I´d like to own a vintage one for a collection if I could but I don´t know about the radius, the frets, the 3-saddle bridge...(the ideal would be a six-brass-saddle bridge as in some G&L. I won´t deny that the selection of wood, and some materials, may be better in the American Fenders, but I think mainly about the instrument I´d like to have and the sounds I want to produce, a matter of personal taste, within my price restriction. Of course, I won´t make up my mind till I play one. I find this modern player series interesting because of the innovation, maybe Fender wants to test out new stuff and I like that, especially if it´s not taking away all my savings. I was really surprised by the sounds of the Marauder, and now the Thinline. Not so much this Tele Plus, it has an interesting setup, looks and finish, but its sound doesn´t sound much like a Tele to me. I´d need to play it first, however.
I heard Jacksons that sound very good in distorted solos, but the clean sounds, both for rhythm and lead, are very "flat" (to put it some way), they lack warmth and expression.
Gibsons and Fenders are brands that span all styles.
You may like them or not. I like especially the SG sound for any kind of playing, and the Les Paul is a sound machine, I don´t like the shape or the weight, but I can deny it´s a superb instrument. Regards!

[depech]

Sorry I mixed up my post in the first part when I started talking about Teles and mentioned my Strats, it may be confusing, but I meant I found by buyng my Strat that the Blacktops are good quality guitars, so I would like a Tele now, but the Blacktop Tele has the same humbuckers as the Strat, I want something different now. Either a Tele with a standard single-coil setup or with P-90s as the Modern Player Thinline.

[depech]

About the Les Paul, I meant "I can´t deny it´s a superb instrument". Sorry :

[MT in Austin]

Tried one of these yesterday and HAD to buy it. I have been playing for 30 years. Where something was built is not as important as how it sounds. "Made in Japan" used to be a stigma now it is associated with quality.
Now to the guitar itself:
-Compared to a standard telecaster, this is a rocket ship. 5 position selector and a coil tap for the humbucker. I prefer two volume controls so I can use the selector as a kill switch but that's not usually an option on Fenders. (8)
-Sound impressions are after about three straight hours of playing this bad boy with friends. Never owned a pine guitar before but I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of bite to the sound. I play mostly classic hard rock and 70s-80s metal (no country) through a Hot Rod Deville 410 with a Digitech RP500 multipedal (amp modelling bypassed). This guitar does several styles of music very well. The variety of sounds from the three different pickups is exceptional. Sustain is fine considering it has a bolt-on neck. (8)
-Love the Telecaster neck. Narrow with the frets set directly into the neck. No glued on fret board to dampen vibration. I would like 24 frets but that is really just a personal preference as I don't spend a ton of time in the "nose bleed section" anyway. The finish is flawless. The action was set up fine (probably by the shop). (9)
-Can't speak to reliability as I just got it but it feels solid.(incomplete)
-I am impressed with the flexibility of this guitar. Excellent variety of sounds. Very responsive to pick attack. Works well clean and at high gain. (8)
Rather than bagging on it because of where it is manufactured, go try it out. I'm sure there may be quality variations in the series but you may find a diamond in the rough. I think I did.

[KingSwedefire]

MT in Austin wrote:

Tried one of these yesterday and HAD to buy it. I have been playing for 30 years. Where something was built is not as important as how it sounds. "Made in Japan" used to be a stigma now it is associated with quality.
Now to the guitar itself:
-Compared to a standard telecaster, this is a rocket ship. 5 position selector and a coil tap for the humbucker. I prefer two volume controls so I can use the selector as a kill switch but that's not usually an option on Fenders. (8)
-Sound impressions are after about three straight hours of playing this bad boy with friends. Never owned a pine guitar before but I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of bite to the sound. I play mostly classic hard rock and 70s-80s metal (no country) through a Hot Rod Deville 410 with a Digitech RP500 multipedal (amp modelling bypassed). This guitar does several styles of music very well. The variety of sounds from the three different pickups is exceptional. Sustain is fine considering it has a bolt-on neck. (8)
-Love the Telecaster neck. Narrow with the frets set directly into the neck. No glued on fret board to dampen vibration. I would like 24 frets but that is really just a personal preference as I don't spend a ton of time in the "nose bleed section" anyway. The finish is flawless. The action was set up fine (probably by the shop). (9)
-Can't speak to reliability as I just got it but it feels solid.(incomplete)
-I am impressed with the flexibility of this guitar. Excellent variety of sounds. Very responsive to pick attack. Works well clean and at high gain. (8)
Rather than bagging on it because of where it is manufactured, go try it out. I'm sure there may be quality variations in the series but you may find a diamond in the rough. I think I did.

Good to see you liked it mate! Nice to see someone who doesn't just presume quality based on the country it was made in, as this is an excellent range. Also, rather than winging about the fact that it doesn't cost much more than a top end squire (therefore making it a rip off) lets not forget that this range is even closer in price to a Mexican standard. So there