New here, with modest pickup expertise (75-25 acoustic-to-electric split over 45 years of having a pick in my pocket) but ears I've always been able to trust. I was pretty interested in this guitar when I saw it—love the color, and the pickup description sounded promising, but like the people here, I couldn't find anything anywhere on the internet from anyone who'd actually played one. But then I saw that GC's web site said they had one at my local store (they had the Strat, too, in case you're interested) so I hurried on over to see what I could hear. The blue was as badass as it was in the picture, and the guitar played like all the other MIM Player Series Teles I've played in the past few years, which is to say very nicely. The pickups? Fender seems to think they and the limited-edition color are worth I think it's a $300 premium over a regular Player Tele. Or maybe $400? I'm not sure, and I don't need to be, because whatever the difference, the blue's gotta justify pretty much all of it because these pickups ain't gonna count for much unless you want a guitar that sounds like a Tele that's had about 35% of the life sucked out of it. There's nothing really objectionable about the sound, but there's not a lot that's especially appealing about it either, nothing that sets it apart. I A-B'ed it against a regular MIM, also new, and the Duncan tucked its tail between its legs and slunk on home. A little like Steve Vai cowering to Ralph Macchio in Crossroads, like Jackie Paper's abandoned Puff. Really, it took me almost no time to get off of this guitar, and I came into the store primed to buy it—I had a one-that-got-away experience with what was going to be my first Tele last year and I'm eager to redeem myself, if only in my own eyes, and it was my birthday, and for once, I could actually, if not comfortably, afford it. Yeah, I was too invested, so my disappointment is probably amplified. But at this moment, I have no need or desire to ever play these pickups again. But don't take my word for it; I'm just an acoustic guy dabbling with electricity. I'd love to hear what others think. Go play one and report back!
