This guitar covers a lot of ground for me, I can teach with it, I can gig with it. I can get rock, country, blues tones from it. If I need to get a heavier sound I switch to my Les Paul. This telecaster I've noticed sounds better live than on recording, but then again doesn't everything sound better live? haha - overall it's a great guitar I'm glad I own it.

Sound
The tone and versatility of sounds from this tele was one of the main reasons I bought it. I handles various styles, I use it through Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Ltd Edition amp (celstion 30, 6L6 tubes) I play it also through a Soldano 50watt half stack, I use various effects such as EH LPB1 to boost the signal into an overdrive, sometimes with a Krank Distortion pedal. The sound of the tele is very transparent so it lets you hear what ever effects, overdrives, it lets you hear the sound of your amps. It is very clear like that, also my favorite thing about the tele's sound is how well it cleans up if you roll back the volume, I also play a Les Paul and its much harder to clean up than the tele. Finally the greasebucket control does work like they say it does, very useful in case the tone gets too bright.

Features
Like I mentioned the greasebucket feature was very useful, the way the tone cleans up is useful, and the versatility between switching pickups creates more than enough tones if you know how to use them. I find myself mostly using both pickups together,… read more and sometimes just the bridge pickup, i rarely use just the neck pickup. The white pickgaurd was quite plain though and I replaced it with a more stylish one.

Ease of Use
It's a very simple guitar to use, in my opinion. One volume, one tone, 3 way pickup switch. No tremolo or anything, just your basic approach to guitar construction, very traditional, I even love the 3 saddle bridge - I thought that may give me trouble but it hasn't it was very easy to get it set right.

Quality
Quality seems quite good, the finish is thin and therefore chips easily, but I understand that it is actually designed that way so it quickly gets a worn-in look. None of the actual components have broken though, everything works perfectly well and I have had it for about 2 years now.

Value
American made, quality components, great sound and very USEFUL guitar. I play in several bands, several different styles, and I teach at a music school, and this has become my #1 utility guitar because it can handle everything, its not cumbersome or too heavy, its just right.

Manufacturer Support
n/a

The Wow Factor
I would say it does not have much sex appeal at first. Unless you are a real telecaster fan, it's a very basic looking guitar, especially with the matte finish, I got mine in matte black. But the addition of an aftermarket pickgaurd totally transformed it into an awesome guitar, and I would recommend to anyone to customize it somehow to improve its looks.

Musical Background:
professional musician and instructor

Musical Style:
rock, country, blues, pop, classical, metal read less