Fender drops new Parallel Universe Tele
A triple pickup configuration, compound radius fretboard and compound profile neck make the 2018 American Elite Telecaster HSS a versatile workhorse.
After releasing the weird lovechild of a Strat and Tele, Fender has dropped another curious instrument: the 2018 American Elite Telecaster HSS.
Like other models in the Parallel Universe series, this ash-bodied Tele is not at all like those off the racks at your local guitar store. It has three pickups, for one: a ShawBucker at the bridge, and Pure Vintage ’64 Tele single-coils in the middle and at the neck. A Strat-style five-way switch and an S-1 switch offers all sorts of tonal combinations, too.
The Tele also has both a compound profile neck and a compound radius fretboard—both of which are standard on the American Elite range. The neck starts as a “C” shape closer to the nut, then broadens to a “D” as you go up. Same with the fretboard: It starts at 9.5 inches at the nut all the way to 14 inches at the higher registers.
Other premium appointments on this Tele include a gloss nitrocellulose finish, bone nut, a limited-edition neck plate, a bevel on the body, and a dual-action ‘wheel’ truss rod.
Watch the 2018 American Elite Telecaster HSS in action here:
The Parallel Universe American Elite Telecaster HSS lists for $1,999. For more information, check out fender.com.
