Classic Twang Meets Modern Refinement
If you've ever wished for a Telecaster that feels like it's been played for decades but performs like it was built yesterday, this is it. The American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster brings together everything that made the early Teles legendary—premium ash, nitrocellulose lacquer, and those unmistakable Pure Vintage '51 pickups—with player-focused upgrades that actually make a difference when you're three hours into a session or halfway through a set.
The Heirloom nitro finish isn't just for looks. It's lightly aged with subtle checking, giving the guitar a broken-in vibe right out of the case. The ash body delivers that classic snap and resonance Teles are known for, but Fender carved in Strat-style contours so you're not fighting a slab of wood all night. The result is a guitar that looks vintage, sounds vintage, and plays like a modern workhorse.
This is for players who want authentic Tele character without sacrificing comfort or durability. Whether you're tracking in the studio, gigging four nights a week, or just want a Telecaster that feels right in your hands, the American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s brings the best of both worlds.
A Neck Built for Speed and Comfort
The quartersawn maple neck features a Modern D profile—slim enough to move fast, but with enough shoulder to feel substantial. The 10-inch to 14-inch compound radius fingerboard starts curved near the nut for comfortable chording, then flattens as you move up the neck for easier bending and lead work. It's the kind of setup that works whether you're playing rhythm or running up the neck for a solo.
Fender equipped this guitar with 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets. Stainless frets are harder than nickel, so they resist wear and keep their crown longer—you won't be dealing with divots or dead spots years down the line. The frets have rolled edges and sit on a fingerboard with an Ultra satin finish, so there's nothing slowing your hand down. Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots keep you oriented on dark stages.
The tapered neck heel is carved for easy access to the upper register, and the angled pickup selector switch sits where your hand naturally falls. These aren't flashy features, but they're the kind of details that make a guitar easier to play for hours at a time.
Pure Vintage '51 Tele Pickups with Series Wiring
Under the hood, you'll find a pair of Pure Vintage '51 Telecaster single-coil pickups. These are built to Fender's original 1951 spec, with cloth-covered wire, fiber bobbins, and Alnico III magnets. The result is classic Tele tone—bright, punchy, with a biting midrange and that signature twang. The bridge pickup cuts through a mix without getting harsh, and the neck pickup delivers warm, articulate cleans.
The S-1 switch in the volume knob activates series wiring, which bypasses the three-way selector and wires both pickups in series for a thicker, hotter tone. It's not quite a humbucker sound—it still retains Tele clarity—but it adds muscle and body when you need it. The treble bleed circuit keeps your highs intact even when you roll off the volume, so you can clean up your tone without losing definition.
Hardware That Holds Up
The six-saddle string-through-body bridge features unplated polished brass saddles. Brass adds sustain and enhances the natural resonance of the ash body, while the individual saddles give you precise intonation control. The deluxe locking short-post tuners make string changes faster and keep you in tune through bends and vibrato.
The Graph Tech TUSQ nut is self-lubricating, so strings return to pitch smoothly after bending. The four-bolt neck joint is rock-solid, and the locking tuners mean you're not constantly retuning between songs. Everything here is built to perform reliably, night after night.
Product Features:
- Premium ash body with carved contours for improved comfort and resonance
- Heirloom nitrocellulose lacquer finish with light aging and checking for authentic vintage character
- Quartersawn maple neck with Modern D profile and satin finish
- 10-inch to 14-inch compound-radius maple fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets
- Pure Vintage '51 Tele single-coil pickups with cloth-covered wire, fiber bobbins, and Alnico III magnets
- S-1 switch activates series wiring for thicker, more powerful tone
- Six-saddle string-through-body bridge with polished brass saddles
- Deluxe locking short-post tuners for quick string changes and tuning stability
- Tapered neck heel and angled pickup selector for enhanced playability
- Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots and Graph Tech TUSQ nut
Brand: Fender
Model: American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster
SKU: 0118242801
Condition: New
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