NAMM 2019: Fender debuts the American Acoustasonic Series Telecaster, an innovative hybrid acoustic/electric guitar
New model kicks off American-made acoustic guitar line
NAMM 2019: When Fender CEO Andy Mooney teased a new line of American-made acoustic guitars, we certainly didn’t expect a launch model like this, but the American Acoustasonic Series Telecaster is the first to land.
A hybrid acoustic/electric guitar, the Acoustasonic Telecaster promises to deliver diverse tones while eliminating feedback and retaining classic Telecaster playability.
Those sounds come courtesy of Fender’s patent-pending Stringed Instrument Resonance System, which aims to deliver “a naturally loud voice with lively harmonics”.
That’s paired with the Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine, which offers a blend of analogue and digital technologies that “optimise the guitar’s natural sound, and then modify the resonance to deliver a curated collection of voices”.
These voices can be blended via the Mod Knob and used at the same time courtesy of the hum-free Fender Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup.
In terms of the instrument itself, the fully hollow Tele body features an integrated forearm contour, plus a smooth-playing mahogany neck and open-pore satin finish, available in Natural, Black, Sonic Gray, Surf Green and Sunburst.
“Our objective was to develop an acoustic guitar for contemporary artists,” says Andy Mooney, Fender CEO.
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“The end result of our three-year R&D exploration met all these criteria and exceeded our most optimistic expectations with the launch of the American Acoustasonic Series.”
“If the American Acoustasonic were a car, it would be a high-performance SUV,” he adds. “It is not just a state-of-the-art acoustic guitar that sounds great on stage - it’s a state-of-the-art electric guitar that sounds great on stage. That’s a challenge Fender was proud to take on.”
Well, this is certain to turn a few heads at the show, although this isn’t the first time Fender has tried its hand at an Acoustasonic Telecaster - there was also 2010’s effort, which proved to be a pleasant surprise, so perhaps doubters should reserve judgement for now.
What will raise eyebrows is the price tag, which clocks in at £1,649. Given the American build and newfangled tech, that’s not unreasonable, but it does mark this out as a serious purchase.
Of course, the proof of the hybrid acoustic/electric, as they say, is in the hearing, so we’ll be getting to grips with this one ASAP. For now, you can head over to Fender for more info.
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
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