The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster electric guitar is a Mexican-made instrument that is quite different from usual Tele-style guitars.
You would be surprised to know that this Tele only has single coils but these are noiseless ones that pack a vintage sound. The Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele looks like typical Tele in terms of design but sounds like an improved Strat.
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster is built from quality materials also found on nice guitars but it’s so much more than that. In this review, we take a look at the Deluxe Nashville Tele and see how it is different from a normal Tele.
Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Overview of Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
Specification
- 22-fret vintage style neck
- Noiseless tele and strat single coil pickups
Our Verdict
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster is a cool affordable instrument with a lot of tonal possibilities. If you are into Strats but want something a bit different, this awesome Tele is the perfect fit for you.
Fender- The Brand
Fender needs no introduction. Fender has made a name for itself in the guitar community by consistently putting out amazing guitars and effects that are highly favored by professional musicians.
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele has some parts shipped out of the US, and though it’s made in Mexico, the quality of the instrument is top-notch. In fact, the cheap prices of the Deluxe Nashville Tele are thanks to the Mexican production lines.
Tuning
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster has die-cast locking tuners. These hold the tune very well and you do not need to upgrade very soon.
One thing that I really like about the Deluxe Nashville Tele is that they didn’t put in a plastic nut. The material is synthetic bone, which is reasonable as the Deluxe Nashville Tele doesn’t cost much. Had they decided to include a bone nut, it would’ve spiked up prices by a lot.
If you still insist on bone nuts, you can get an inexpensive bone nut and try swapping it on your own.
Aesthetics
The classy looks on this humble electric guitar are inspired by a Tele. The satin finish on the neck and beautiful glossy hues on the body is a perfect match.
It’s hard to find a Tele that doesn’t look good- and the Deluxe Nashville is no exception. It looks clean with vintage touches.
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster also comes with a cheap gig bag that looks okay. You can use it to carry the guitar to gigs but I would really go for a solid one if I could afford one.
Many guitarists shy away from cheap gig bags and call them recycled raincoats as they don’t do much to protect the guitar from shocks. Still, it looks sleek and if you’re in a pinch, does the job too.
Neck
Fender went with the obvious affordable material for the beautifully contoured neck- maple. Maple has excellent tonal properties and lends a warm bright sound.
The bolt-on neck, typical of Fender Deluxe Strats, is well-fitted to the body. You may notice that the neck on a Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster is not as slim as those on Strats. This also adds a vintage feel to the neck but makes playing barres slightly harder.
If you put the thumb of your fretting hand near the middle on the back of the neck- like you were playing a classical guitar, you will find it easier to reach lower strings. With proper technique, playing across the frets is not hard at all.
There are 22 frets and the maple fretboard is great. The fret wires are smooth at either end and set up well, and the neck is finished with satin.
I love satin finishes. It’s great for smooth playing without feeling the stickiness of fingers on the neck.
Also serving as quick position markers for beginners, black Pearloid dot inlays add finesse to the elegant neck. The frets themselves are narrow/tall frets which are not common on modern guitars.
Narrow/Tall frets used to be very popular in vintage guitars but those were replaced by medium-jumbo ones. These are not bad or harder to fret but make your playing experience a different one.
Bending is very easy on this neck- so you will have fun doing bends in dirty blues or rock.
A 12” fingerboard radius makes it quite comfortable to hold. The neck is overall nice looking and feels good.
Body
The body isn’t really made out of exotic woods. It’s too much to ask in the price range, so I am not complaining about the Alder body with a glossy finish.
Alder is a lightweight wood that is extremely tough and has nice acoustic characteristics. Moreover, it’s cheap to source and process so that the finished product is affordable- which is great.
There is a 6-saddle bridge. Typical of most Teles, the Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster has a string through a type of body which means that you put the strings through the body so the ball ends are at the back.
Deluxe Nashville Tele comes with nice Nickel-plated strings that sound okay. You can always swap them out for your favorite set. If you don’t have a preference yet, these will do just fine or you can try a fresh set from D’Addario.
Pickups and controls
On to the interesting bits!
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster has three single coils. It does not have humbuckers like a typical Tele.
On the body, there are two Tele pickups for the neck and bridge positions, and a Strat pickup in the middle. All of these are vintage noiseless pickups which are also great.
Telecasters usually have two pickups, and a 3-way pickup selector switch to access the distinct sounds. The neck pickup usually sounds bright and is good for country and blues, and the bridge position has a decent punch or some bite to it that cuts through the jams.
The budget electric guitar has a 5-way pickup selector switch just like a Strat does. You could say that the Deluxe Nashville Tele doesn’t have a selector switch to access the blend of neck and bridge pickup but that’s okay.
Tone
The sounds from the 5-way selection switch are very versatile and lend well to many genres.
Without Humbuckers, the fat tone is missing out but the Deluxe Nashville compensates for that in its hybrid sound. The resulting tone is somewhere between that of a good old Strat and spicy Tele.
It’s great for classic rock, blues, pop, country, and some metal. You can play high gain styles on it too but they are more suited on something that costs a bit more.
Who it’s for
The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster is great for beginner-intermediate players who would like to experience a mix of Strat and Tele sounds. The variety of sounds available also makes it a versatile instrument for pretty much any genre.
You can use this instrument for gigs as well as practice sessions. If you hook the Deluxe Nashville to a Vox AC15, it sounds awesome.
Score
Bottom Line
Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele is built out of decent materials, sounds great, and feels vintage. Apart from the amazing design, the playability is also nice and you won’t regret getting one. For a different take on the classic design, consider our Fender Player Telecaster review.
FAQ
Is it good for metal?
Yes- if it’s for a beginner.
You could try learning chops on the Deluxe Nashville Tele but without the gain factor that comes in with the Humbuckers, it’s certainly missing out on the aggressive sound.
Considering Acoustic Guitar Reviews
While electric guitars like the Deluxe Nashville Telecaster excel in versatility, many musicians also seek the unique character of acoustic instruments. Acoustic guitars offer a rich, resonant tone, perfect for genres from folk to classical, providing a distinct playing experience. Understanding various acoustic models—their construction, wood types, and tonal qualities—is key to finding the right fit. Comprehensive reviews can guide both beginners and experienced players in making informed choices based on sound, playability, and overall value. For a detailed examination of a popular and well-regarded acoustic model, consider our Gibson G-45 review, which explores its standard and studio versions, highlighting their features, performance, and what makes them stand out.