NEW Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster - A More Affordable Acoustasonic!

[@fender]

Killer video, guys. Thanks for the support! 🤘💥

[@coreygibson15]

strat coming next?

[@lenablack4264]

Squier?

[@robertmccourt1243]

Squier Jazzmaster?

[@isaacandhismusic1153]

Bass?

[@canonryanestes1134]

I would pre-order a sqier jazzmaster the second it's announced

[@jeremycooper8978]

Just need to wait for Squier to bring one out in a couple of years and then it will be really affordable!

[@croc3862]

Squier keeps going up $50 across the line every few months. That crap will launch at $800 I'm calling it now

[@ArtyShat]

@@croc3862 It wont

[@rmzzz76]

Yep, I was wondering what features they would cut when they went to a discount version. I put the Squire version arrives within a few years and will be pretty much identical to the new Player series variant.

[@Zeal808]

Indian laurel boards. Alnico pickups. Popular & bass wood bodies. Vintage tuners, three colors, three models tele, jazz, strat

[@akwamarsunzal]

Yep, still wouldn´t buy one!

[@ericwarrington6650]

This is long overdue on fenders part..ty guys for the killer content!

[@VincentVader]

A used player series will be a hot commodity.

[@karl-wilhelmschreitz8549]

Ben is absolutely the best presenter for acoustic guitars/amplifiers. Let him do more of this. There is a lot more acoustic players out there than Andertons may think!

[@bkyella]

Holy smokes!! That is the same Ben! Well done sir and your playing is fantastic as always.

[@karl-wilhelmschreitz8549]

the acoustasonic player series is the greatest innovation regarding guitars in the last 100 years. Super. I never was a fender afficionado but this is great, - after my 55 years of playing, - and I started at10 years of age! I made it after all this years to my dream guitar, - as an acoustic player!!!!!!!!

[@Alexander-iq5yq]

I do think these guitars nailed the "electric-acoustic" sound. Ive always been underwhelmed by actual acoustics with electronics in them.

[@MisterE428]

Thanks guys, this helped me choose the USA! 8:36 Player Spruce/Rosewood Dreadnought vs. USA Dread, 10:00 Player small body Spruce/Mahogany vs. USA, 15:10 Martin Dread vs. Player Dread vs. USA Dread

[@patrickoneill9659]

I feel like an 8-12 band equalizer pedal boosting the low and top end a bit would make the player series sound exactly the same as a more expensive American-made.

[@scottbecker3485]

Yes, absolutely right, for I shape the sound of my American-made tele Acoustasonic using, among other things, a great, analogue MXR equalizer. But honestly I feel the Mexican model sounds more authentic out-of-the-box, and I probably wouldn‘t change its EQ as much as I do with the U.S. model, for which I boost the bass quite a bit in certain ranges, and also tame some upper mids and add some upper-treble sparkle.

[@gusgrimm7533]

I dunno, still satisfied w/my $99.00 Ibanez Talman electric-acoustic 😉

[@Stinger2222]

I was picking up the same as I listened, the parametric on my boss acoustic pedal could probably get them real close. Thing is as the Captain says at one point it's not about being better, they are both GOOD and this certainly puts one on the wish list. While mainly a Tele player I like the Strat version of the Americans, wonder if the have a player Strat in the works.

[@jg_jgjg]

The American has too many features for “most” gigging musicians. The reality is that most acoustic players who occasionally need an electric sound (and vise versa) will love this. Myself included! Looking forward to maybe putting this through my Line 6 HX Stomp

[@Iseomagicpromotion]

_vice_ versa, even

[@joannebeauchamp1169]

Terrific…A guy who really knows how to play this Tele the way it’s supposed to be played! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@ledhendrix5054]

That was Killer playing for the intro , Holy Moly Ben you smashed it.

[@ardiris2715]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my lefty Acoustisonic!! I didn't think I would record with it, but men, I was wrong! It sits quite well in a band mix, and it is far easier to record. I would gig with it if I had a Player for backup.
My dream? A lefty 12-string Strat Acoustisonic. LOL. Not in my lifetime.
(:

[@joeldowdy404]

My first cheap version of a simple acoustic pedal board was to have my acoustic going into a Boss EQ pedal into a tc electronic bodyrez pedal to a PA/amp and it actually makes an acoustic sound better into a PA/amp if you cannot mic it up and have to rely on only the piazzo pickup. I did eventually upgrade to a Fishman Aura Spectrum DI but the Boss EQ into TCE Bodyrez works pretty well on a budget.

[@UncleRalphABQ]

Thanks, guys. With my pedestrian tastes, I actually like the cheaper ones better. The high end "sparkle" on the pricey ones sounds more like rast to me. And that ultra-undesirable raw piezo mode is what I use on purpose with a bit of auxiliary compression and some high end roll-off to produce my signature "pesto verde" rhythm crunch.

[@melechpery4418]

Hi guys,
As a performing musician, who needs both electric and acoustic sounds on stage, this is the perfect instrument !
As for choosing between the American or Player series, I would take the Player series hands down. It's way more practical, (as is the battery instead of USB charger.) It gives you everything you need, nothing you don't !

[@tns4421]

Fender do nothing because they have the Captain to do it all and man does he deliver!! Thank you once again for shining light to our musical journey!!

[@scottbecker3485]

As a hitherto acoustic-only player, I enthusiastically bought the original (American) model back when it first came out (Telecaster version). Love its playability, weight, durability, case and looks. As for sound, without my (very pricey) acoustic pedalboard that cost far more than the actual guitar to shape its tone, I‘m not that fond of it out-of the-box, at least not as compared with my old Martin D-35 and others, including even my newish and amazing Yamaha Transacoustic. Why not? Well, on the non-body modeling settings, the treble is a bit too abrasive, the bass unconvincing and the responsiveness when fingerpicking a bit weird, as in too highly compressed (?) upon each string attack, i.e. finger plucking the string. I think they screwed up the modeling a bit, leaning too much to a sort of „hi-fi“ bathtub frequency graph. Oh, and the electric tones are either way too loud by comparison (i.e. the dirty one) or way too boring (clean one). As for the body-sensor setting, it‘s great for adding a bit of „wood“ to the tone, but I don‘t find it useful live, for it sounds a bit boxy. So I end up shaping the other acoustic tones using my pedalboard, avoiding the body-sensor setting (or only dialing in a wee bit of it), and rarely using the electric tones. In the end, I don‘t regret the purchase, but I wished firmware updates or even online sound patch swapping were possible so as to tweak the instrument to my taste. Lacking such features (why in this day and age???), the previous model falls short of my hopes. Enter the new one (first heard here): The acoustic tones sounded more convincing to me than the ones on the U.S. model! Less harsh and grating, and also warmer and more woody, albeit perhaps not as deep, but who needs deep when you can get warm and woody? The electric tones strike me as a tad more usable, too. The piezo tone is worthless for my purposes, I guess, as is the small-body guitar setting. Just have no need of such a model for my songs. But frankly, I‘d recommend most players just get the cheaper version. And if Fender is so shortsighted as to not offer any firmware upgrade or patch-swapping abilities for the more expensive model, then it‘s not really worth the much higher price. If Fender did get wise on allowing users to choose the patches they want on their guitars - and even in which position (i.e. numbered switch setting and up/down dial position), that would be STELLAR, and surely increase sales exponentially! That would make these guitars true Swiss Army knives. Anyhow, if folks have good pedals, they can get great sounds out of both models, U.S. and Mexican.

[@jcardboard]

I really like how these look, just a cool instrument all round.

[@paulweyer4339]

I think captain's right about those lofi settings. Electric guitarists know a good foundation for experimenting when they hear it

[@kingstumble]

I really like the two Tele settings. I actually prefer them to a normal "electric Tele". The acoustic emulations are OK and perfectly useable but would I pay a thousand quid? Probably not.

[@robinr22]

Yeah, I'd buy one of these if it was actually Player series priced but the thick end of a grand is absolutely not "affordable"...

[@goeatbox1]

I had to pause the video after the opening jam to locate my jaw that hit the floor. Killer!!!!

[@mrartistbill]

Ben is an amazing guitarist. I don't care what new acoustic guitars come out. I will watch just because of Ben's playing. Same with Pete on electrics. Actually the Capt is no slouch either. He must be soaking up Ben and Pete's vibrations as he has improved immensely in the last year.

[@jmabs5096]

Same, as I mentioned $1343.30 for this is crazy, Ben kills it and pretty much the only reason I watch their acoustic demos!

[@stevieboy444]

Ben's playing in the intro sells it big time. Respect!

[@kevinmorris7722]

Seems the players was brighter than the accoustic. The American one seems scooped in the middle.
Glad they are making them in the players series. Sometimes you want a guitar style but not the ultimate. And sometimes you want the ultimate.

[@officialWWM]

This may be the perfect live country players guitar. Im gonna buy one.

[@thewrightbros5711]

The lo-fi grit is so awesome.

[@jessedax7333]

Great video. It helped me to definately understand and decide that I don't need or want an Acoustasonic in my life. Cheers!!

[@rcjoe406]

Now make a squier version for 399 so it's really affordable I love how everything that's a 1000 dollars now is called affordable lol

[@davedavem]

Not sure that's possible, unfortunately. For regular electrics you'd make them in China and put cheap electronics in them, but cheap versions of the electronics in the acoustasonic range don't exist. Maybe at the higher end of the Squier price range...

[@Barbarapape]

Typical of this counrty to charge £999 when at current exchange rates they should be £745, even for this price they are not what i consider affordable.
A Squier verson may appear in the future, the only other option is the Harley Benton ST-Acoustic at £125, but it lacks the equalisation of the Fenders.

[@greysuit17]

Save that $400 and then save another and then some... people not know how to budget and save????

[@hughjarrse]

@@Barbarapape you have add VAT and import duty, it's not just a case of dividing the US price by the current exchange rate

[@tarZenization]

Nah, there's no way they can build this guitar for so cheap. The body construction plus the electronics.

[@joshuamull1867]

Like a lot of folks, I wished for a cheaper model, but for us acoustic loopers, the omission of the body sensor makes the Player Series version a no-go.

[@urbansoban2669]

Also, I think it's a great late-night practice thing and a killer travel guitar.

[@fredjaeger690]

If you’ve got GAS, go for it, but there are acoustic guitar modeling pedals that do the job just as well. I have a Valeton 200 and it has plenty of acoustic emulators: dreadnaught, parlor, humming bird, classical, etc. sounds excellent, and at $184 it kicks ass. And when I switch out of acoustic MODE my PRS DGT is already in my hands and ripping it up.

[@NelsonBlakeII]

I could see getting this now. I only pay premium for my main guitars. These side quest guitars need to be priced efficiently.

[@danielhoskins4690]

Yeah, totally. This is now worth taking to a club/bar gig without worrying too much about it.

[@gogosep]

That’s what I’m calling all my non-main guitars now

[@NelsonBlakeII]

@@gogosep haha! Feel free!

[@adam-yk6yd]

“Side quest guitars” 😂😂 I love this - it’s so dead on

[@limpindug]

Thanks be🙏 for Ben's talent, he saves the day. Respect and stay healthy all. 😇

[@sevensongsful]

This is the best I’ve heard the electric part sound. Originally I thought it was a weak acoustic and a weak acoustic in one. This was better

[@martintaylor1701]

Easily replaceable batteries seems like something they should've had from the start, especially for a gigging player. Seems kinda weird that they've reduced the price by the reducing the cheapest part though...still gets it closer to a price point I can justify though so no complaints here.

[@JetAV8]

Ben looks like he's lost quite a bit of weight. Lookin' good man, and great playing as always

[@remyrousseau2601]

I like that the IR modeler is integrated into the guitar and that we don’t need a pedal. It would be cool if we could upload new IR later

[@dougrussell5002]

Well done Fender Mexico! Very sensible to reduce the model selection - on the US ones there were too many virtually indistinguishable acoustic models. A simple choice of dreadnought and small body gives the biggest bang for your buck. The Tele settings also sound pretty good to me.
If I didn't already have a US Acoustasonic, I'd definitely go for the MIM. Especially since half the time I use it unplugged for sofa noodling anyway, and when it'splugged in I generally only use a couple of the acoustic models, plus the electrics.
On my US one I switched to lighter acoustic strings (9s) and lowered the action a little to make it feel a bit more like my electrics. It's very much become my main noodling guitar.

[@youtubewatcher3467]

how would you describe the "raw" tone of Fender Acoustasonic? (I mean without plucking it into an amp)
is it good enough to play a song in a living room to a few friends?
Loud enough for a few people to hear (without amp)?

[@dougrussell5002]

@@youtubewatcher3467 Hi, compared to a dreadnought or even a parlour acoustic it's much quieter. However, compared to an electric solid body it's probably around 3x louder, and maybe twice as loud as a semihollow. So yes, for playing for a small group of friends it'll be a decent volume while not disturbing the neighbours.
It's worth noting though that the unplugged sound does lack the bass of an acoustic, and does sound a bit "boxy". It's certainly not as pleasant or rounded as my parlour acoustic.
Hope this helps!

[@1111MJR]

Nice one, Fender. And Ben and The Captain for such excellent content.

[@timfletch]

Wow, that body sensor really makes a difference

[@terryenglish7132]

Frank Zappa had Hot Dot sets in his guitar, I liked the percussiveness so I made a guitar w sets in the Bridge of course, AND the Fingerboard. Amazing difference, 2 together sounded much more 3D, complex and real. A bigger difference than here where much of the sound is from processing so the signal difference doesn't matter as much.

[@jamesmarotta816]

Thanks guys, Got my Black Mexican coming soon.

[@d.wilson1402]

This is a gold mine! They are great

[@Tom_Dancer]

Haha I love that Lee always pronounces piezo as "piazzo" (pee-at-zo), maybe the least close of all the possible pronunciations people use. Never change, Cap'n!

[@KaosII1968]

Every time I say it in a guitar crowd there is always someone who will correct me, no matter which way I pronounce it.
Does anyone know .... It's most likely named after someone. Pee-zo--Pie-zo.??? Which ever it is I can most certainly agree that it's not Pee-at-zo.

[@PeterWasted]

@@KaosII1968 I understand it's Pee Ay zo. It comes from Latin as it's a scientific term piezo-electric is electricity from squashing or pressing.

[@Tom_Dancer]

@@KaosII1968 Haha, true. I think in the UK it's usually pee-zo or peet-so, and in the US more like pee-ay-zo or pee-ay-tso. I think the US one is closer to the original Greek word it comes from, the word for pressing I think... since it's electricity generated from pressure and heat.

[@johnwelch557]

So refreshing to hear good sounds, not a bunch of "me too" overly distorted play by anybody on the net. Ben, of course, is tops. Now we are seeing the ice break on who among us mortals can afford one of these. Fender better hurry. I guarantee someone from some continent will market something soon say around $500. USD. That's when I'll bite. Thanks Sir Lee and Sir Ben!

[@ardiris2715]

I could see a metal version that offered two acoustic models and two or three electric models selling for as low as $449. A Kramer Baretta by Gibson would be a good shape to emulate.

[@MrDrewseph]

Captain at 2:27
Absolutely right

[@sanfordnarmore4904]

This is still my position on these. For $1300 you can still buy both a killer acoustic and electric guitar. A $650 guitar is a killer instrument in 2021.

[@ZappaBlues]

This, IS, the Acoustasonic I have been waiting for

[@officialWWM]

This guys playing is fantastic and he really looks like he’s having a great time while he’s doing it!

[@graeb4751]

It's always humbling watching/hearing Ben play

[@MarkusvanAardtBusinessComm]

I'd buy the cheaper one in a heartbeat. I'm no James Taylor so for a simulated acoustic sound in a mix it will do just fine imho

[@richardlynch5632]

Jazzmaster will be something that will get attention personally 😎👍
Can hardly wait 😎👍

[@RED-gi3pc]

Man that guy can rip! Great demonstration!

[@lordporcupine8767]

Now these are very tempting. That’s is some freakin guitar playing Ben

[@alteliebeoffiziell8342]

Ben's lost weight, his glasses and a bit of his beard.. It took some time for me to recognize him! So cool!

[@bbb633]

I use an unwound third on my us version so much easier to bend along with the B and E strings - acoustic 11s and 12s with an unwound third. Best of both worlds (and I didn’t pay 5/600 quid more than a grand either, btw).

[@user-ne1bv9ol7e]

Hello ! I had a lot of fun with this video. Especially with Lee's guest, a very funny man. And the guitars are good!

[@cwtv716]

Wow... I really like the Player Tele.. I think it sounds Great.
Maybe next time try a little pedal on the Tele setting for a more rock sound.. to help show the distance between the Acoustic sound and the Electric Tele sound. Love you guys! And I have 2 TShirts :)

[@dmccluk]

When are Squier bringing out a model of this, I think I'll have to wait for that as it'll probably be £3449-399 price range and more in an really affordable price range!

[@chrisj1602]

I think that is wishful thinking.

[@SchmaexiMcMaexi]

Absolutely impossible they would undermine the value that much. Even Squier would at least take 700£

[@brittany6903]

Love your videos from the states! Ben, you are so wonderful to listen to, both playing and speaking. Keep up the great work and reviews!:)

[@tommurrayGTR]

If I didn't own the American I'd seriously be considering this, very usable sounds and more affordable... the American has a much fuller sound and top end so I don't feel too bad watching this video! that spec sheet and that it feels identical had me worried for a moment though😅

[@guitargrandpa282]

I won an American Acoustasonic Strat and think it is a great guitar, for a number of reasons but as primarily an electric player, playability might be the thing I most appreciate. This Player Acoustasonic Tele seems to have the same playability which I thinks a big deal even if it gives up a touch of sound quality. On the other hand it is more straightforward with a shorter learning curve. This looks to me like it will be a big win for Fender. On to the Strat and Jazzmaster versions.

[@arbiagolli9297]

From your videos I have fallen in love with guitars and also your shop❤️

[@RagggedTrouseredPhilanthropist]

At the risk of sounding like an old man, and I'm only 37, I'm always amazed by the amount of comments moaning about price and affordability. Are we so ingrained into an era of instant gratification that no one can save money any more?
Once I've paid my mortgage, bought the shopping, looked after my two kids, and spent some money on the missus I don't have enough spare to just buy up one of these. But if I wanted one I'd stick a bit away each month until I could get one! Maybe even save half the amount and then take advantage of some 0% finance.
I've been saving for my first ever American start for over a year, come on people, you need to dream!

[@alijafri2730]

Countless guitar tones can be achieved by it, can give access to wide range of possibility to guitarist, granting him the chance to deliver unique and fresh solo's by transitioning between six different tones and mood. I guess this majestic and godly guitar would have made Jimmy Page something more deeper than a rock god, if it was introduced in the 70's. Just imagine what Page might be experimenting with such monster type guitar to perfect solo's and give the best of the best in Led Zeppelin songs!!!

[@stealthbum34]

I had the opportunity to play several models today at a music store. Initially I wanted one for live duo gigs thinking it would be good to have a range of dynamics to vary the sound of the set. I have to say I came away disappointed. As a guitar in its own right, it’s great, but the variation in sound for me was pretty subtle, definitely didn’t warrant the price. The model I was most impressed by was the player tele, but my general feeling is I’d have needed additional eq pedals to sculpt the sound, without that it’s pretty dry. I felt they were really missing on-board eq and would have happily lost the modeling options for that and a single pickup blend like the highway series. Definitely try before you buy!

[@shawndavidallen]

I believe the body sensor in the American Acoustasonic is only engaged in one of the five positions. You have to switch to position three and roll the blend knob to engage it. It’s not always on.

[@davidfaustino4476]

yeah.. that body sensor really makes the American version sound better

[@McPhan86]

I play weddings with a Ditto X2... I think this could be great for me when I'm layering up sounds, or even playing a more dirty sound for upbeat songs. Very tempted!

[@FostaFunk]

Think Im gonna order one of these today! Seems like the perfect live acoustic solo/looper gig guitar which is what I will be using it for. I also love the way the look of the burst one!

[@garyhalllive]

The guitar is designed to be a good modeling platform, so it would likely be fun to try that dry piezo signal with an Aura Spectrum pedal or something similar.

[@antv4408]

Big fan of the lo-fi crunch sound. Good platform to start from. 👍

[@michaellawlor1267]

Great review guys, not just technical but also entertaining

[@andrewbennett5999]

These look great. I actually prefer that they’ve gone to a 9 volt battery. The USA acoustic tones sound fuller, more like natural reverb from an avoustic

[@rabonour]

I wonder if they'll go with the 9V on the USA too - it seems like a much more attractive choice for gigging musicians.

[@45zapatero]

I prefer that too : easy to replace !

[@brianboyd5024]

USA model worth it in my opinion! If you’ve got the cash. Great video….. helped me make my decision. Thank you!

[@RobCmusic]

The player version would suit my needs better than the USA version. Acoustic sound on one end of the switch and a lead/electric sound by flicking to the other end of the switch (perfect in the duo I play in). Also the raw piezo setting means I can go through any preamp with an acoustic IR for different acoustic sounds. It's still a lot of money for my budget, but worth saving for IMO.

[@timelwell7002]

If I were ever to own an Acoustasonic MIM Player Tele, I'd replace the piezo undersaddle pickup (which I hate) with a K & K conytact pickup, which gives a far nicer tone. Otherwise, this is a great instrument.

[@glenndeneef293]

Lovely guitar and intro. If you want to plug it into an amp, do you need an electric or an acoustic amp?

[@joshmore7175]

I still really want one. Just for versatility and ease of playing

[@bldallas]

Several years ago, I owned both a Telecoustic and Stratacoustic (at different times). Both were disappointments and I sold them shortly after buying them. This new design looks interesting, but I now have a Martin D-18E Retro for acoustic/ electric playing.

[@luisr2965]

The first song was prettty sweet

[@icu469]

The guitar and the guitar playing both sound great. This is is going on wish list.

[@stevendegoodmojosmet4034]

Ben can make a didleybow sound great .. Great review again ..

[@Scurtsy1964]

I believe Ben’s playing has improved with the weight loss! Looking good amigo.

[@ketidaco]

Great video guys. I’ll definitely pick a player tele up .

[@anie2347]

I love the lower boominess, but they're both great.

[@clintwilkins6481]

Once again.. Ben nails it.
Can't say I would spend a grand on a Fender.

[@drummerdan95]

Now I just need a player version of the jazzmaster in that blue finish 🤤

[@jeg1972]

That Lo-Fi sound is basically Copperhead Road :-)

[@johnjgibson6807]

With Demos Like This I Have to Purchase Me One 👍👍🎶🎶🎸You Guy Always Have killer Demos.

[@martinspreiter8240]

Wow what a Introjamming!!! Thats the way to play this badass genium guitar!

[@abraxas511]

The intro one, with the two tone orange burst, looks a lot like a childs toy guitar. I think the white ones look awesome though. Still too expensive, if you can afford one of these you should just wait for a good USA made deal on a used.

[@JasonMcFly]

Dang that lo fi sound rocks!

[@acadianflatpicker]

The word I would use for the American it sounds richer and more natural.

[@JWhitneyInc]

Low-Fi Piezo Clean: For when you really want to nail that 90's Dave Matthews tone.

[@mlugin8050]

First i thought, the Accoustasonic are some desperate tries to add another gimmick to the market. But in the hands of a good player it looks like a very good versatile fun instrument

[@rub800]

Nice playing and demos! Thanks for bringing a really good and versatile musician and not that old guy which name starts with Chap and ends with man, who played the same boring licks over and over in every video.

[@JoshuaC923]

Fantastic playing by Ben!

[@troycollins6069]

Lee I think the Stryman nightSky and the Volante would work well with that guitar