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I posted this in the tele 'long thread', but I figured more people would read it here.
Has anyone played or seen the Ultra Telecaster? I'm getting rid of two other solid bodies and it appeals to me because of the contouring and the relatively low weight (I know a thin line is even lighter). The noiseless pickups (gen 5) get good reviews. Any opinions? It's a bit expensive, but selling the other two does get rid of that problem.
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10-03-2020 04:10 AM
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No opinions?
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It's a tele, modern style tele... overpriced a bit maybe, but to me a tele is just a tele, try to find a good one and enjoy, those should be very nice, i played one that was good... I believe in trying before you buy
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Hi Joe,
The good/bad about teles (as seen frequently throughout the long "tele" thread) is that there are so many builders/versions out there! [and the prices can range from (used) $700 - (new) $4000 (USD)!] The specs on this Ultra can be found on less expensive (and still nice) Warmoths and others, but if you gotta have a Fender, go for it, I'm sure it's a nice guitar!
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Hmm...the specs look like... just like every standard Telecasters should be!
American Ultra Telecaster(R) | Electric Guitars
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I'll play as many Tele's as I can, but the belly cut and slim neck look promising.
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For less you could build one from a Warmoth body and neck, getting those features and being able to tailor many parameters to your preference. The neck that they're describing sounds very similar to the Warmoth "modern construction" neck, which I happen to really like. The roasted maple versions don't require finishing and feel great.
I find the Wilde L280 noiseless Tele pickups to be excellent and also had great experience with the Dimarzio Area T set for jazz.
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I've not played one of these, but, the double binding looks GREAT on a tele, and seems fairly rare. I have a danocaster with cream binding and aztec gold and it looks fantastic.
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Although Warmoth ships to Europe, that is a bit of a no-go for me, as I know what a hassle that can be with customs, tax, etc.
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The tummy cut is awesome, i love the comfort of that, hehe
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While I don't own the Ultra, I do have the previous model. The Elite. Mine is Mystic Black. All the features are pretty much the same I think. The belly cut, the neck, contoured heel etc. The pickups tho, are different. Mine had the 4th Gen noiseless with the S1 switch. I ended up swapping them for a set of Custom Shop Twisted Tele pickups and also had the S1 switch removed. I am more of a Tele purist when it comes to tone I guess. They are great, and the neck is one of the best Fender necks I have ever played.
Originally Posted by Joeontheguitar
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Thanks guys!
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I dismissed the Texas tea on the basis of the photos supplied by Fender, but these look like it's just a black guitar, while it's not.
I like the burst too though. I think a rosewood fretboard should provide slightly warmer tone in theory.
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tummy cut and forearm carve are not that unusual these days on a tele..even squier had a few models built that way...way more options than just the pricey ultra...google!
luck
cheers
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I played four in store last year: American performer, professional, ultra, and Jimmy Page. I liked the ultra the best. Easiest to play, sounded great, plus S1 is great to have on the fly in case you have a buzzy situation.
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I noticed Thomann has a colour that is not even listed on the Fender website: Fender AM Ultra Tele MN Butt. Blonde – Thomann Nederland
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I absolutely adore mine. It's literally everything I need a guitar to be. From country, to blues, to classic rock, to hard rock, to modern high gain heavy metal. ...it's siiiick.
Took me a minute to get accustomed to the compound radius but it wasn't too tough a transition.
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I played an Ultra Tele with a maple fretboard today and it sounded and played great. Warmer tone than I expected. I'm not sure how much warmer a rosewood fretboard will sound.
I also played a Am Original 60s thinline which I absolutely loved. Great neck, great tone, light weight, but the downside is that the fretboard has a finish. I can get used to that, but I prefer a woodier feel. But speaking of wood, that thinline in aged natural does have more appeal to me than a PU-finished guitar where the grain is hidden under the paint.
The 60's thinline wins in the looks department and the weight department. The Ultra wins in the ergonomics department. Tone wise, I like them both.
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I enjoy a non-Fender Tele that has some variants as well. This Thornton is an older take on the Tele than the Ultra. Compared to the traditional Tele, it is lighter, has the belly carve, great upper fret access, Nashville wiring, a 12" fretboard radius, and a neck that runs most of the way through the body. It does have that single coil hum.
I like the thinking that went into the Ultra Tele and am interested in how the noiseless pups sound.
I recently read some of the debate on whether the Strat or the LP is a better guitar. The LP is always slammed for that big block of mahogany than can dig into your ribs and belly. I've noticed that but it never was an issue. I compare the belly carve on a solid body to having cooled seats in the car in Michigan- nice but the lack of them is never noticed.
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That's a very nice guitar MG!
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I'm lucky enough to be able to try out tens of different Tele's within half an hour on my trusty E-scooter (man, I love that thing).
It's going to be hard to decide between the Original thinline and Ultra. I think I prefer the PU's on the Ultra a bit, but PU's can be swapped. The Ultra is more ergonomic while sitting, but I do my combo playing standing up. I think the tummy cut has less effect when you're standing up. In the latter case, weight is more important.
I've also been thinking to get a Bigsby on one of my guitars. The Tele might be nice for that.
Choices. First world problems....
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I always look at first world problems as a good thing. I'd rather have those! Originally Posted by Joeontheguitar
The tummy cut being a "thing" has more, I think, to do with the general posture of the player. With the way I play even standing, the tummy cut keeps the guitar from digging into my side.... not that a non-tummy-cut is painful or anything.
For what I'm after, the Noiseless pickups were exactly what I was after from a pickup. I've increasingly been looking at Teles for several years now and was tweaking on a parts-Tele to figure out what I liked. ...and didn't. In the end, it ended up with Duncan Vintage Stacks, 6-saddle bridge.... yadda yadda yadda. Basically, the Ultra. What pushed me to the Ultra versus other Teles was really how it sounded with modern hi-gain. Not that others sounded "bad". Just not the flavor I was after. For most other genres all were great. It was just the modern hi-gain I couldn't get as comfortable with. That may or may not be a consideration for others. Lol
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