Fender’s Parallel Universe expands with launch of American Elite Telecaster HSS guitar
Limited-edition model packs Shawbucker bridge pickup
Following last month’s Strat-Tele Hybrid curio, Fender has announced availability of the American Elite Telecaster HSS, the latest model in its Parallel Universe guitar line.
Designed to be a versatile workhorse, the model’s USP is its pairing of a Shawbucker bridge pickup with Pure Vintage ’64 Tele single coils and a player-friendly C-to-D profile maple neck with 9.5-14” compound-radius fretboard.
Elsewhere, specs are as per other Elite Teles, featuring an ash body with custom arm contour and belly cut, contoured neck heel, bone nut and hardtail bridge.


Based on the eminently playable, flexible spec, this one’s sure to find favour with session players and touring types - providing they can stomach a Tele packing a humbucker in the bridge position.
The 2018 Limited Edition American Elite Telecaster HSS is available now for $1,999/£1,609 - see Fender for more info.
For more on what else we can expect from this year’s Parallel Universe models, have a gander at our original story on the launch from NAMM.
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Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.
