If you are looking for a decent acoustic guitar, the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster is a great option worth checking out.
It features a cutaway body with polyester satin matte finish, a top made of solid sitka spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, and a 25.5″ (64.77 cm) scale length.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
We may earn commissions from these links at no additional cost to you.
In this review article, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster acoustic guitar by examining its features, sound, value, and playability.
Making good decisions is key since certain guitar features can significantly change the feel and value of the instrument.
Table of Contents
Summary
Here is an abbreviated version and overview of our findings on the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster.
Remember that the score and rating we give to each point is our own opinion and could be different from other people.
Hardware
A guitar’s hardware refers to the various metal and plastic parts that make up the instrument.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender’s acoustic guitars are well-known for their sturdy and long-lasting construction.
The company has generally used high-quality materials in its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built over the years.
When buying a guitar primarily based on its hardware, ensure that it is of high quality and that it appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Lower-quality guitars, for example, sometimes have plastic saddles on the bridge, which can damage the instrument’s tone and intonation while also making it more difficult to tune.
Also, when it comes to the metal parts themselves, you should make sure that they’re not prone to rusting or tarnishing, and seem strong, durable, and can not be easily dented.
Good hardware is required for a good-sounding and playable guitar, and there are a few things a manufacturer can do to make it ideal for us.
Let’s have a look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
The tuning machines on this Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster are Fender Standard Cast, made of chrome, and feature a sealed staggered design.
- Type: Fender Standard Cast
- Design: Sealed Staggered
One of the most significant aspects of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (or “tuners”).
They’re responsible for keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the right pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can make even the best guitar sound terrible, so it’s important to choose wisely.
This is due to the fact that tuning machines are what keep the guitar’s strings tight.
When they stop working properly, the strings become loose and, as a result, out of tune.
They can also make changing the strings more difficult, as well as playing the guitar more challenging in general.
Must Remember:
A good tuning machine is made of long-lasting materials and operates with accuracy and precision.
Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.
Sine these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.
– Pickguard
The Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster doesn’t have a pickguard, which means that if you’re not careful enough when you play, you could damage its finish very easily.
- Color: Not applicable
- Design: Not applicable
The fact that Fender chose not to include a pickguard with this model is actually quite interesting.
Whether it was merely a design choice or not, this one of the “negative” thing we noticed about this instrument.
A pickguard’s aim is to protect the guitar’s finish against scratches caused by the pick as you play.
They should be built of a durable and strong material that can sustain regular use.
It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.
As far as looks, a pickguard should also blend and fit in with the guitar’s overall design.
It shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it seems to be out of place either.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster are constructed of chrome, appear to be strong enough, and are found at the bottom and top edge of the guitar.
Strap buttons is what we call the little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.
Usually, guitars will have two strap buttons, one on each side of the body.
Metal strap buttons should be robust and well-secured to avoid coming off or loose over time.
Even while the quality of the strap buttons is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The neck, bridge, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
A hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can resonate from within the instrument can also be found here.
Although some guitars have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual), the majority of them have a wooden body.
– Wood
If you’re looking for a specific tone, have in mind the type of wood utilized for the body since this will impact how the guitar sounds.
The Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster features a solid sitka spruce top with a mahogany back and mahogany sides.
Having a solid top is important because it means that the wood hasn’t been laminated, which could affect the sound quality since laminated wood is often thinner.
When wood is laminated, this means that strips of wood are glued together to create a piece.
– Finish
The guitar’s body finish is one of the final layers of protection for the wood.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a polyester satin matte finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its shine and luster, and it also protects the wood from scratches, dings, and other damage.
You’ll come across a variety of finishes, including the following:
- Polyurethane
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Polyester
Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.
It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.
Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.
Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:
- Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.
- Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.
- Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.
– Colors Available
The color of a guitar’s body is typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.
It can, however, affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.
Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.
Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:
- Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
- Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
- Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.
Choosing a guitar based on its color is purely a matter of personal preference.
But if you do take your time and choose something that you’re happy with, you’ll be much more likely to play it often and develop your skills quicker.
– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins
The Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster has a modern asymmetrical bridge with the pins and saddle made of GraphTech Tusq.
Each of these elements contributes to the tone and feel of the guitar.
For instance, the bridge is in charge of transmitting string vibrations to the guitar’s body.
The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.
And the pins are what keep the strings in place so that you can play your instrument.
There are also several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of pro’s and cons.
On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
The most frequent form of bridge is the pin bridge, which is also the simplest to replace.
However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.
Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.
Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.
They are fairly similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.
Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.
Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.
Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.
As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:
- Plastic bridge pins
- Steel bridge pins
- Brass bridge pins
Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they are known to be the least durable.
Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable in many ways.
Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable our of the three.
Neck
The Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster, has a neck that is made of mahogany with a satin urethane finish, and it has a Modern “Deep C” shape with an bi-flex truss rod.
The neck is the thin, long piece of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is usually constructed of wood.
Because different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can alter the guitar’s playability and sound.
The bolt-on neck is the most prevalent type of neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar’s body.
Another popular construction is the set-neck, which is whenever the neck is just glued to the body.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are some of the most critical components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the area on the guitar’s neck where your fingers press against the strings.
It is often made out of wood, although it may also be made of other materials like as carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.
As for the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster, it has a fretboard made of ebony with a radius of 12″ (305 mm) and white dot inlays:
Despite the fact that this has historically been a source of debate, it is generally acknowledged that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a slight effect on the sound of the guitar.
Maple, in particular, is a popular wood for electric guitars because it produces a farily bright tone.
Rosewood is another popular choice for acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, full-bodied tone.
Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars with a very clean, clear tone.
There are many different types of fretboards available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone will not change dramatically, but the feel will.
Brand Info
Fender is a leading manufacturer of electric guitars, and they’ve been in business since 1946.
They’re one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, and their instruments are used by some of the most famous musicians of all time.
Also, the company offers a wide range of different models, from simple beginner guitars to complex professional instruments.
Their guitars are known for their great tone and quality craftsmanship, and they’re a popular choice for both beginner and experienced players.
At the same time, Fender guitars are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious musicians.
Videos
For those of you who want to get a more in-depth look at this guitar, we’ve included some videos below.
The first video is a demo showing off how it sounds and looks.
While the second video is a review that goes over some of its features and specs.
Demo
Review
Specifications
A guitar’s specifications can tell you a lot about the instrument, and they can be helpful when you’re trying to decide between different models.
Below, we’ve included the specifications for the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | American Acoustasonic Telecaster |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Chrome |
| Tuning Machines | Fender Standard Cast |
| Tuning Machines Design | Sealed Staggered |
| Electro-acoustic | Yes |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Black, Crimson Red, Natural, Steel Blue, Sunburst |
– Body
| Body Style | Modified Telecaster |
| Cutaway | Yes |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Polyester Satin Matte |
| Pickguard | No |
| Pickguard Color | Not applicable |
| Pickguard Design | Not applicable |
| Strap Buttons | Yes |
| Strap Buttons Position | Bottom and top edge |
| Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Modern “Deep C” |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ (64.77 cm) |
| Truss Rod | Bi-Flex |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dot |
| Fret Size | Narrow Tall |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | GraphTech Tusq |
| Bridge | Modern Asymmetrical |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech TUSQ |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech TUSQ |
| Nut Width | 1.6875″ (42.86 mm) |
Please note that some brands might change the features and type of materials that they have and use on their guitars.
If you see a discrepancy in any of these specifications, please let us know and we’ll correct it.
I also encourage you to check out our other guitar reviews if you’re looking for something specific that you might have not found here with this guitar.
We have reviews on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, effects pedals, and more.
No matter what your budget is, or what type of guitar you’re looking for, we should be able to help you find the perfect one for you.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
