Fender recently announced a brand new signature guitar: Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster. If you’re wondering if it’s worth or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique model.
The truth is that the Joe Strummer Signature Tele is one of the hottest signature Telecasters made by Fender right now. It has everything that you need from a high-end guitar – a stunning look, a comfortable feel and most importantly, a unique sound.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this Tele so good and so popular all around the world! Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specs of that model. Additionally, we’ll also investigate the biggest pros and cons of that axe. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well!
Specs & Pricing
Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster is a high quality signature electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. This model is heavily inspired by the 1966 Tele used by Strummer throughout his music career.
What makes it so cool? Well, it features a solid alder body with a unique road worn nitro lacquer finish, a comfortable maple neck with 7.25″ radius and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard which guarantees an enjoyable and comfortable playing experience.
What’s important, the manufacturer equipped this Tele with two custom-voiced Joe Strummer single-coil pickups which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Whether you’re searching for glassy clean tone or fat and crunchy sounds – this guitar can do it all.
It is also worth mentioning that this Tele also has the Road Worn chrome hardware. This is a really unique feature which will be appreciated by all lovers of vintage-style gear. If you like that kind of stuff, you’ll immediately fall in love with it!
When it comes to pricing, this isn’t exactly a cheap guitar. Just like any other signature model by Fender, it’s quite expensive. It’s most likely one of the most expensive Mexican-made Telecasters that you can currently find in Fender’s offer. However, it doesn’t seem overpriced at all – mainly because of its exceptional quality!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster is suitable for guitar players of all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced and passionate guitar lover, you will definitely notice and appreciate the uniqueness of that signature axe.
However, since it’s a high-end signature model, it’s mainly designed either for die-hard fans of Joe Strummer or intermediate guitarists who are looking for the best gear on the market.
Just like any other Telecaster, this particular model is also really versatile. That being said, it’s perfect for various different styles of music. It doesn’t matter whether you want to play blues, rock, country, grunge or punk – this Tele won’t disappoint you.
It is also worth mentioning that the Joe Strummer Signature Telecaster has a really unique vintage vibe, so it’s perfect for lovers of oldschool guitars. Especially with the road worn finish!
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that exceptional axe. It exceeds all the expectations in every aspect and that’s why I love it!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out
Pros & Cons
Just like any other Telecaster made by Fender, this particular model has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, you don’t have to worry about it too much. It seems pretty clear that this Tele has far more pros rather than cons!
Pros
- Vintage Look
- Great Tone
- Comfortable Feel
- Case Included
- Perfect For Fans Of Joe Strummer
Cons
- High Price
- Made In Mexico
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as huge advantages of that guitar. This axe looks, feels and sounds absolutely amazing. On top of that it comes with a high quality case and it’s perfect for all lovers of Joe Strummer and The Clash.
The main disadvantage of that Telecaster is the high price. I think that it’s the biggest obstacle that may stop a lot of guitarists from adding it to their collections. It’s not the most expensive Fender Tele in the world, but still – it’s not cheap at all.
Additionally, bear in mind that this isn’t an American-made Telecaster, it’s made in Mexico. This isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, but the truth is that Fender’s factory in California has a way better quality control.
However, despite of the high price, I still believe that this axe is not overpriced. Considering how unique it is, in my opinion it’s definitely worth the money. That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the sound of the Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster or you have a feeling that this guitar won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a big problem! There’s still quite a lot of other Telecasters that also deserve a lot of attention.
Of course, choosing a brand new electric guitar depends on the size of your budget and your own personal preferences. Still, here’s a few more Teles that you should definitely consider adding to your collection too.
Firstly, you should definitely check out the Fender Vintera ’60s Telecaster. This is an another fantastic Tele designed for guitarists of all levels. Just like the Joe Strummer Tele, it features a really cool vintage vibe. Although it doesn’t have the road worn finish, it still looks absolutely fantastic. In addition, it’s far more affordable in comparison with the Telecaster from today’s article!
Alternatively, you can also check out the Fender Jim Root Telecaster. This is an another excellent signature guitar manufactured by Fender. In comparison with the Joe Strummer Tele, the Jim Root signature model is way more powerful. It’s equipped with a pair of fantastic EMG pickups which give you access to a lot of amazing tones. If you like the high-gain, this guitar will be a perfect fit for you.
If you’re on a very tight budget and you still want to get a Tele, perhaps choosing the Squier Affinity Telecaster will be the best option for you. Although it will never be as good as the Mexican-made or American-made Fenders, it’s still a really good option for beginners. It offers a great value for the money! So if you don’t want to spend too much money on new gear, you should definitely check it out.
FAQ
Where is Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster made?
Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster is manufactured in Mexico.
What strings does this guitar have?
This Telecaster is equipped with a set of Fender NPS strings (.010-.046).
Where is the original Joe Strummer’s guitar?
The original 1966 Telecaster that belonged to Joe Strummer was previously in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. However, it was returned to Joe’s family.
Where can I find out more about Fender?
If you want to learn more about this famous manufacturer of electric guitars, check out the official website of Fender.
Summary
As you can fee, Fender Joe Strummer Road Worn Telecaster is an absolutely unique electric guitar. Although it’s not a cheap axe, it’s definitely one of the most interesting signature Teles made by Fender. Surely, it will be perfect not only for fans of Joe Strummer, but also for lovers of vintage-looking and vintage-sounding gear.
What do you think of that Telecaster? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for! If you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
