Best Telecasters: the top Fender Tele electric guitars for all budgets and styles

Fender’s first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar is a legend that has stood the test of time. The best Telecasters have been used on recordings since the early 1950s right up to the modern day, and there’s no sign of that stopping any time soon.

From country twangers to heavy metal shredders, the best Telecasters have found their way into the hands of every type of guitar player imaginable. A good Tele can be really versatile, which is why you’ll see so many people using them. They can serve up nice, punchy, bright cleans, crunchy rhythm sounds, mellow, warm jazz tones and much more. 

With so many versions and iterations of this legendary guitar, it’s perfectly reasonable to want some help finding the best Telecaster for you. There are all sorts of pickup configurations that can allow you to get the sound you’re after, as well as different price points to help the strain on your wallet!

We’ve rounded up our pick of the best Telecasters from Squier and Fender, covering all budgets and included some buying advice below to help you pick out the one that’s right for you. 

Best Telecasters: Quick list

Want to get to the good stuff without reading walls of text? Well, here you'll find a roundup of our top choices for the best Telecasters with links to read a more detailed review if you'd like.

The best Telecasters available today

Best Telecaster on a budget

The Squier Affinity series is Fender’s answer to offering their unique designs and historic tones to the beginner electric guitar market. For those starting their journey in guitar, these instruments offer tremendous value for money and though they can’t offer the full Fender experience, costing around a fifth of the cheapest American-made models, these guitars are virtually unbeatable within the sub-$250 end of the market. 

Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve just always wanted to add a basic Tele to the collection, with some classic finishes including the Butterscotch Blonde favored by Bruce Springsteen and tantalizing racing colors, this could very well be the best Telecaster for you.

Best Telecaster overall

Fender’s Player Series sums up everything that makes Fender guitars so popular. Simplicity and quality lie at the heart of this range of guitars, and the Player Telecaster doesn’t disappoint. 

The gloss-finished alder body and bolt-on maple neck is a classic combination, and provides bags of that iconic Tele ‘twang’. The Player series single-coils reaffirm that instantly recognisable tone, but are wound just that little bit hotter - keeping one foot firmly in the present day. 

The ‘Modern C’ neck profile is designed for performance as well as comfort. Its smooth satin finish helps you avoid the sticky situations that a gloss lacquer might cause, and with the option of either maple of pau ferro fingerboards, you can be sure you’ll find a style to suit you. 

Perhaps controversially so, the Player Series has 22 frets rather than the traditional 21 - but the Player Telecaster isn’t built to stick to the rules. It’s here for people that want an all-new experience on a classic, simple, workhorse guitar.

Best Telecaster for versatility

What do you get when you cross two of the most iconic electric guitars ever made? Sweet, sweet music - that’s what. Fender’s Player Plus series of guitars takes the already brilliant Player Series and bumps it up a notch - with new finishes, pickup configurations and more. They’ve also blessed us with an updated version of one of their ultimate swiss-army-knife guitars - the Nashville Telecaster.

The Nashville Tele delivers precise, clean and crisp tones thanks to its set of three noiseless Player Plus pickups, combining the versatility of a Strat with that famous Tele ‘twang’ to create a guitar capable of a lot more than you think. The middle pickup on the Nashville is actually taken from a Stratocaster, in order to provide a warmer mid-range that turns the Tele from an aggressive, spiky axe into a smooth operator with increased capabilities.

The body and neck of the Player Plus Nashville Tele has had a facelift too, with a Strat-esque tummy cutaway on the back of the body aiding the otherwise un-ergonomic Tele slab body. A Modern “C” shaped neck profile, along with the flatter 12” radius fingerboard enables choke-free bends and near-endless comfort, with rolled edges the icing on the cake. If you want the trademark Tele grit, with a slightly more sophisticated touch, then the Nashville is your guitar.

Best Telecaster for metal

As the guitarist in one of the most successful metal bands the world has seen, Slipknot guitarist Jim Root (aka #4) knows a thing or two about high-gain tones. His signature Telecaster features some less-usual appointments, including an ebony fingerboard, locking tuners, black hardware, no tone control, a Hardtail strings-thru-body bridge and his favorite active EMG pickup set.

The result of this collaboration with Fender is a high-powered workhorse that will be able to cut through the mix and have no problem voicing the kind of lower tunings bands like Slipknot were responsible for popularizing. It’s not a classic Telecaster by any means, but it is one of the best metal guitars available right now. 

Best Telecaster for modern players

The American Professional II series brings the Fender Telecaster into the modern age while staying faithful to the original design. But a few tiny adjustments can make a world of difference – from the Treble Bleed circuit that retains the high-end when your guitar volume is turned down to its redesigned ‘ashtray’ bridge that’s angled better for the picking hand.

The Deep C neck sits in between a Modern C and U in terms of shape and coupled with the narrow tall frets offers extra hold and control. The fretboard edges are rolled exquisitely for extra comfort, and the ‘Super-Natural’ satin finish is a welcome feature. 

In the neck pickup, alnico 5 under the bass strings delivers detailed low end while alnico 2 under the treble strings adds warmth and clarity, whereas the bridge is powered exclusively by alnico 5 magnets. While the original American Professional series had this same configuration, the V-Mod II’s on this updated model have been tweaked, culling some of that harsh high-end.

The neck heel has been tentatively carved away to enable smooth upper fret access. Little touches like this from Fender are what makes the world of difference with the Pro II range. It’s all of these tiny extras and adjustments which – without affecting the visual aesthetics of such a classic guitar – make the American Professional series a very dominant presence in our best Telecasters round-up.

Best Telecaster for vintage tones

At the slightly higher end of the Fender Vintera range sits the ’50 Modified Telecaster, which combines some of Fender’s most sought-after Custom Shop colors with pickups from the actual Custom Shop. 

In this case, you’re getting a Vintage-Style Single-Coil in the neck and a high output Alnico 5 Twisted Single-Coil in the bridge – which, along with the four way selector and S1 switch, will be able to cover some serious tonal ground. 

The neck profile is a softer variation of the V-Shape profile from the late 50s, so not quite as extreme and still quite thick-feeling. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a mid-priced guitar that screams class and can cover pretty much any kind of gig, this might be the best Telecaster for you. 

More options...

So those are our top picks, but there are many more great options to choose from that offer something a little different in terms of features and performance. We've selected some more of our favorites below.

Famously used by the likes of Bob Dylan, Thom Yorke and Jim Adkins, Thinline Telecasters were originally made as a lighter-bodied alternative, with routing cavities and a single f-hole that added to its more acoustic-sounding and warmer ‘woody’ resonance. 

The only Thinline in the Fender Squier range certainly offers a lot for its budget price-point, from build to playability. Like the Vintera ’70s models, it features two Wide Range humbuckers to help players tap into warmer and more overdriven sounds – which, coupled with the semi-hollow construction – helps avoid some of the more shrill tones classic Telecasters were famous for. 

A great option for those hoping to dial in rock tones or hit big-sounding chords on a budget.

• The best Fender Player Telecaster deals

After an increase in higher gain players over the course of the 1960s, Fender hired former Gibson pickup guru Seth Love to help update their debut solid-body electric design. The fruits of the collaboration arrived in 1972 as the Telecaster Deluxe, and using the all-new Wide Range humbucker to dial in more overdriven tones.

The new Ensenada factory-made Vintera series offers a whole range of throwback Telecasters from the big F’s ground-breaking first three decades, but the ’70s Deluxe – available in three wonderfully classic finishes – has definitely earned its place near the top of our best Telecasters list.

The humbuckers are incredibly musical, both clean and distorted, and offer a bit less of that famous Tele twang in favour of grit and power. All in all, the Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Deluxe is a brilliantly versatile and more wallet-friendly tribute to one of the more rock-focused models in Fender history.

The fact that American guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen has stuck with his signature Telecaster for the large majority of his career speaks volumes. It’s an instrument that can take him from classic Fender tones for RnB/funky lines through to incredibly musical high-powered gains with effortless ease. 

All that is thanks to a single-coil Alnico 5 DiMarzio Twang King in the neck and a ceramic stacked humbucker, The Chopper T, in the bridge. 

Then there’s the contoured ash body for increased playability, a bound flame maple top to help cut through, a fatter neck profile and a series-parallel rotary switch where you’d usually find a tone control, which functions as a mid-boost. Finished in a gorgeous Brown Sunburst to match its exquisite gold hardware, this is without question one of the best Telecaster guitars in the world. 

If you know who Jason Isbell is, you’ll be more than aware of his killer guitar chops. For those who are unaware, Isbell is one of the leading faces of the Americana movement. Being the main man in a genre which gets its sound from modernising and innovating on the classics, it’s only fair that he gets his own signature Fender Telecaster. 

Let's not beat around the bush. The Jason Isbell signature Telecaster is gorgeous. The reliced Chocolate sunburst finish provides a subtle twist on the iconic ‘burst that Fender is so well known for - and isn’t the only subtle twist this guitar has in store. The special Jason Isbell pickups were designed in collaboration with the almighty Tim Shaw - and aren’t found in any other Telecaster on the market - delivering the typical bright, punchy ‘sparkle’ that Isbell is known for.

There are some old-school aspects to this Tele too - like the ‘60s “C” shape maple neck and 7.25” radius fingerboard. These combine to enable smooth playability, easier thumb-over-the-top ability and that vintage vibe that makes you feel like you’re playing a living, breathing instrument. It’s perhaps on the higher end of the price scale for a Mexican-made Tele, but we’d suggest you give it a go. You might just take one home with you.

Fender’s American Ultra Series was one of those event launches that we only see every few years or so. It sees Fender revise its flagship US models, rolling out a number of contemporary features to suit today’s player, with compound radius fretboards, tapered heels, newly sculpted bodies, noiseless pickups and locking tuners. The Fender logo is rendered in gold foil on the headstock. 

The American Ultra Tele wears these updates well. It has a compound 10”-14” radius that feels right, especially atop the new Modern D profile neck. It’s a profile that plays quick but fills the palm in all the right ways, with its satin finish a super-smooth enabler for swift position shifts.

There are a suit of stunning new finishes – Texas Tea and Mocha Burst are particularly mind-blowing – but for all the modern accoutrements, the American Ultra Tele is still a textbook Tele, with raunchy twang and more than a little snarl when you turn the gain up. The S-1 switch allied to the 3-way pickup position switching makes it sound a little like the greatest hits of Tele tone. That in itself is enough of a recommendation.

Read the full Fender American Ultra Telecaster review

Japanese Fenders can be really sought after. They usually showcase a step up in terms of quality, when compared to their Mexican counterparts, but are more affordable than most US-made models. 

This vintage-spec Tele takes its inspiration from the 1960s. Sporting a nice chunky U-shaped neck profile, there’s plenty of maple to get your hand around here, making chord work super comfortable, though that’s not to say lead players won’t love it too. 

The retro-style single coil in the bridge position gives you all the bright snap and articulation of those legendary ’60s models, whilst swapping over to the neck pickup allows you to dial in a thicker, smoother and warmer sound. Basically, it does everything a traditional Tele should!

A baritone guitar can be a really versatile thing. This Squier Cabronita Tele shakes things up a bit with a pair of soapbar pickups – these have more output than your usual Tele single coils, with a nice midrange bark. 

Tuning is B standard, so quite a bit lower than standard tuning – essentially a 6-string guitar in a 7-string’s territory. It’s good for playing heavier styles of music, but it’s also perfect for creating ambient, soundscapey type music. A baritone is also a really useful tool in the studio, particularly for layering on top of regular tuned guitar parts.

It’s a nice twist on the classic Tele, and will serve a load of different players. It’s also affordable enough for experienced players to have as a more experimental guitar that does something completely different. 

Read the full Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster review

Best Telecasters: Buying advice

How to choose the best Fender Telecaster for you

Pick any guitar from this list, and you’re going to end up with something reliable and roadworthy – not to mention cool! Teles are understated part of the Fender guitars line-up, but have been a cornerstone of rock’n’roll, punk, indie, country and more over the last 70-plus years. 

American made or otherwise?

The best Telecasters are made in different locations. Squiers are made in the far east, by a talented workforce. The materials used don’t tend to be as good as they are on Fenders, but they are more affordable. 

Fender’s entry level models are made in Mexico but rest assured, they’re far from your classic ‘entry-level’ instruments. They’re quality guitars and are up to the rigors of touring and recording. 

You’ve then got Japanese and US-made Fenders which step up the quality even more. Models made in America tend to be the most expensive – you’ll see these being played by pros around the world.

Want to know the difference between a Strat and a Tele? Read more in our Stratocaster vs Telecaster comparison piece.

How we choose products

Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar-related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best Telecasters available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best Telecasters on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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