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I love everything about this guitar, except (and this is still day one!) the lack of a tone pot. I may get used to it tho, because this guitar has its own gravity and meaning, if you know what I mean! Very inspiring to play, sounds nothing like any guitar I have ever played, and that is pretty amazing in and of itself. Treated myself to a $280 discount by nabbing a "blem" which was FLAWLESS. I am thinking the first owner couldn't deal with that large C neck, but it was exactly what I was looking for and could not find for years, having owned a '52 American Vintage Tele previously.

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The Best. Large Frets, Flat Radius neck and Excellent Pickups.Beautiful Color Sceme.Maybe a Black Pickguard & a Tremelo ala SUPER-Vee Maverick!

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I've wanted one of these for a few years, not a huge Telecaster fan, but some just absolutely do it for me, aesthetically, this is one of them... But the stories I heard about the really fat neck kept me away. Well I took the plunge, and it's now my favorite guitar, and the fat neck is very comfortable, and I have small hands. I see some on here for sale that weigh 8+ pounds, mine has to be under 8. The flame maple is a substantial piece of maple, not a thin veneer. Not a big fan of gold hardware, but it blends in nicely with the color, not blingy. The DiMarzio pickups kill, and are quite versatile. The mid boost feature is cool, I don't really use it, and only works in the middle position, may have my repair guy switch it to working with the bridge only. This guitar definitely hangs with the custom guitars I own, closer to a Fender USA Elite, or dare I say custom shop, than it is to an American Std/Pro. My only complaint is no locking tuners, and no case, not even a gig bag, typical Fender Japan BS.

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Great guitar , played amazing straight from the factory . Nice low action and big frets make it a breeze to play .. great tone as well ..I have owned over 60 guitars thru the years and this is right up there with the best I’ve owned ..

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I purchased an American elite Tele and was not happy with the neck profile and overall quality of the instrument. zZounds made it easy and exchanged it for a Kotzen Tele per my request. Pros: The fit and finish of this guitar is second to none. I wasn’t a fan of the gold hardware in the pictures but after receiving it, I was surprised how tastefully it was accented on the instrument. Just wouldn’t be the same without the gold... just the truth... The fretwork was spot on, and the inlays would have pushed an American version to a much higher price point. The body contours have spoiled me and the binding is perfect. Call Fenders custom shop if you want the options the Kotzen Tele has and expect to pay 3 grand + for it as well. Neck: I’ve read that people are hesitant because of the neck profile. For me (coming from an American Deluxe model that I love) it really isn’t something I think about when playing. Yes... when you first get it, it does look like a massive chuck of wood, but after playing it now for a month, my AD Tele feels odd. I actually prefer the neck on the Kotzen now. It’s fast and feels like it improves my playing. I personally love it and couldn’t imagine it having anything different. Sure it’s bigger than a 9.5... but not so big that it hinders playability in any way. Bridge: It’s a different version of the bridge on my AD Tele but it seems to be designed thicker and better made. And...It doesn’t scratch as easily from the wayward pinky finger. And yes... all my Teles have little marks on the bridge plate. PUPs: Wow! Not yo daddies fiddle. These pups are astounding! The series switch (after repaired) gave this pig a sound that eliminated probably two pedals on my board. Get one you’ll see what I’m talking about. The neck pup was really unique as well. Turn the volume pot down and it comes alive. Personal opinion: This guitar is just a better all around guitar than the American Deluxe and Elite Telecasters. Which is why we don’t see many Japanese made Fenders in the states. My belief is that it would hurt the market for the American Standard and Elite series. Cons: *Just being extremely picky for you all. The “tone” pot/switch (series/parallel) was loose when I received the guitar. When I opened the control panel it had a wire that was disconnected killing the output on the bridge pup. Most likely from when I turned the knob multiple times and it not being tightened down adequately. (Thus breaking the solder on the switch) I took it to an authorized Fender repair tech and it was easily fixed. But... it was something on a brand new guitar that I felt shouldn’t have happened. *Note: I loved the guitar so I decided to get it repaired rather than sending it back. Cost... 15.00 strings, 30.00 service fee. No case! 1500.00 guitars in my mind should come with a case. Not zZounds' fault but Fender's! I would recommend buying a quality hard shell case. After you receive this guitar you’ll be glad you did. It’s not something to just lean in a corner or stuff in a gigbag. As I said... it’s just a very attractive guitar that deserves care. Fender started putting 9s on stock instruments. Insert mad face...The strings were most likely on the guitar for a very long time because they sounded terrible. So I would recommend putting on your flavor of strings, a quick truss rod adjustment (if you’re going up in gauge) and an intonation and action setup. Don’t know if the guitar originally coming from Japan had something to do with the setup or lack thereof, but it was whacked! Could have drove a truck under the strings! Last but not least... I had to shield the Pickguard. It had a slight static buzz that would drive a normally sane man into a raging frenzy. Again... cheap, and easily corrected. The wiring is not very long making inside repairs/adjustments a little tricky. And... as like every Tele I’ve owned... the jack is terrible. 6.00 from all parts. Overall I love this guitar and really enjoy playing it! I would buy another in a second if something happened to mine. It’s on the heavy side but I prefer guitars I can feel. Hope this helps.

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Just purchased this telecaster from zZounds and couldn’t be happier with my purchase. The shipping was fast, but the packaging could have been a little better; no damage. Immediately I changed the strings for larger gauge. The flame maple top is gorgeous! The neck is very thick but that’s what I prefer. The only adjustments I had to make were: lowering/raising of the pickups and larger strings. This is not quite a country sounding guitar. The chopper T is very hot and rich sounding with plenty of sustain. The neck pickup creates some really great blues and clean tones coming out of my VOX AC30. This is a very nice guitar that is well made with attention to detail. My only gripe is that Fender doesn’t supply a hardshell case.

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This telecaster is beyond amazing. I can set my clean volume on the neck position and switch to the middle position for a boost, making this act like a channel switch, as the two pickups are wired in series . Yes, the neck is larger than normal, but it allows you to really get ahold of notes. The sound is amazing and gives you everything you would need for all styles. The bridge position is hotter but not so hot that it is too much. It is gorgeous too, but not over the top. It is classy and versatile. This is my main guitar now for all applications. I can’t say enough about how perfect this guitar is my favorite in over 20 years.

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I will make this short and sweet. I love this guitar. Made in Japan, which most know is outstanding quality. I prefer over American Standard. It has a FAT neck, so take that into consideration. I have a Limited Custom Shop 57 Strat, ticket on it exceeded the 4k amount. And the Tele can easliy keep up with it, no problem. The gold accents set off the flame top. No case or gig bag is the only downfall i have found. Now if zZounds can get the RK Strat, i would be in heaven. Hope this helps!

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I have purchased many guitars from zZounds. Honestly I was never a teles fan until I started listening to kotzen and country. I got another tele and it was ok. I had 7 ibanez guitars and a strat too. Sold them all. Here’s this guitar, beautiful and versatile , and a thick neck I sold everything and kept this. For me I play rock and heavy blues. Sometimes metal, this does all that. The thicker neck has helped my forearm relax. Thinner necks actually add to discomfort I believe now . So for me this is the Guitar of my dreams . I’d recommend it it’s a custom shop Guitar for a low price and you can do anything with it.

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