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This Tele can also sound like a Strat!

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• Review

Block inlays may not be the first cosmetic feature that springs to mind when one thinks of Fender, but they are certainly not unprecedented in the company's catalogue.

Although undoubtedly a guitar that polarises opinion in the same fashion as Marmite, we honestly can't think of anything cooler than a late sixties Jazzmaster with block inlays in Lake Placid Blue.

Bang up to date though, one of Fender's latest variations on a theme includes the new Big Block series Telecaster. It certainly isn't the first time that Fender has taken one of its most iconic guitar designs and made some cosmetic and sonic modifications, and initially the Big Blocks echo the moody black aesthetic of the Aerodyne series (see issue 249 for a full review), as well as the Iron Maiden and John 5 Signature Fenders.

Overview

Along with block-inlaid fretboards, the Big Block instrument features striking chrome mirror scratchplates, complemented by chrome dome knobs and even chrome-tipped pickup selector switches.

The black and chrome combination with matching painted headstocks works effectively on the Tele, despite the increased susceptibility to fingerprints and smears. Some players may feel that the guitar looks a little too 'metal', but equally, those of you who think that a standard Tele looks rather weedy next to more out and out rock machines might be won over by the more rock aesthetic.

When subjecting the Telecaster to closer scrutiny, it is apparent that the pickguard hasn't been cut particularly well and the horn section is rather elongated. Rather than maintaining a parallel line between the edge of plate and body, the plate edge extends slightly over the rounded edge of the body itself.

This is really only a cosmetic issue that has no impact on the guitar's playability around those upper frets, but ultimately it suggests an uncharacteristic lack of attention to detail and quality control at the Mexican factory. Hopefully other examples of the model won't feature this kind of sloppiness.

In other aspects, construction standards are largely high. The block inlays themselves have been neatly installed on the Telecaster's fretboards with minimal visible filler, while the 21 medium jumbo frets themselves are also tidy and free from any protruding sharp ends.

When we pick the Tele up and play a few licks, it's noticeable that the nut slots have been cut rather too shallow and the resulting clearance of the strings over the first fret contributes to a needlessly high action.

It is the first example of this we've seen on a Fender of any origin in a while, but the bottom line is that if you are paying £699 for a guitar, having to fork out immediately for work on the nut is an unwelcome surprise.