![]() It won't please those expecting Tele-type twang, but works well with gain-induced overdrive, making this more flexible than expected. ![]() While far from the toppiest of choices, this pickup packs plenty of midrange emphasis and edge for added muscle. Volume-wise, it's typically rather polite, but engaging the bridge humbucker instantly increases output. "The bridge humbucker packs plenty of midrange emphasis and edge for added muscle" The neck single coil sounds smooth and sweet, with plenty of plummy depth. The three pickups promise a varied sonic menu, although the aural end results aren't exactly predictable. Careful setting up is necessary to avoid familiar protruding grub-screw problems, and a beefier design might work better with the heavier gauge baritone strings. The bridge incorporates through-body stringing and six vintage-style bent steel saddles with indented tops that keep strings centred. Fender says the pots are topped with black, amp-style knobs, but they're really more like those seen on some Fender and Gibson guitars in the 70s. The metal control plate is inverted, placing the five-way selector below the volume and tone pots. The unusual three-pickup complement comprises Telecaster-type slim single coils in the neck and centre spots, both mounted on a suitably black scratchplate, with a matching, chrome-covered bridge humbucker. The shallow radius 22-fret rosewood fingerboard is equally friendly on the fingers, helping to make light work of the extra reach and heavier strings. The bolt-on maple neck is longer to accommodate the extended 686mm (27-inch) scale, and although proportions are meatier all round, it manages to maintain a comfortable handful, with the gloss finish adding a vintage look and feel. "The bolt-on maple neck is meaty, but it manages to maintain a comfortable handful, with the gloss finish adding a vintage look and feel" The string guide doesn't help, lacking any spacer underneath and pulling the top two strings hard down to the headstock, which also makes them difficult to remove. The typical Tele headstock carries contemporary tuners, but tuning is somewhat erratic, and accompanying creaks suggest the nut might need more work. ![]() Fender's Blacktop Telecaster Baritone is a recent addition to the current crop occupying this niche market and, while its roots may be in Fender's first electric, it's not just for retro fans, especially in this Ghost Silver finish. ![]()
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