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“Play it, James”





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From serving as Elvis’ sideman for the better part of a decade to shredding up the studio with a 6-string southern twang, James Burton’s influence on the development of rock and country guitar is simply incalculable. The Fender James Burton Telecaster harnesses his half-century-plus of guitar mastery, resulting in an instrument with exceptional playability and unmatched tonal versatility. This guitar starts with an ultra-light basswood body, loaded with a trio of Specially Designed James Burton single-coil pickups, 5-way switching, and an S-1 series switch to provide a sweeping array of tones befitting a studio maestro like James. Next, the maple-on-maple neck’s vintage-style frets and modern 9.5-inch radius combine the best specs of old and new for a slick, speedy feel perfect for high-speed chicken pickin’ finesse. Finally, the James Burton is finished with a sleek Paisley Flame finish ? a nod to James’ iconic Paisley Tele that he often played onstage with Elvis during his Las Vegas period.





Custom James Burton single-coil pickups





This guitar may technically be considered a Tele, but the truth is that the James Burton Telecaster’s tonal Strat-meets-Tele versatility defies categorization. Three Special Design Burton pickups cover the entire Fender single-coil spectrum, sporting a 5-way switch that provides a plethora of tones ranging from James’ signature chicken pickin’ staccato strut to quacky Strat-style in-between tones and more. Moreover, the S-1 switch unlocks series circuitry on the two and four positions that Sweetwater guitarists favor when searching for a girthier tone with a hotter output.





Serial US22183628


Serial US22183628


Ultra-lightweight basswood body





Regarding tonewoods, basswood is about the lightest timber commonly found on a 6-string. It’s often favored by musicians who spend the majority of their career slinging a guitar onstage, where playing a guitar with a double-digit weight can quickly lead to fatigue and sore shoulders. Beyond that, the James Burton Telecaster’s basswood body features a Paisley Flame finish for a touch of vintage hot-rod flair ? a necessary aesthetic precaution for any guitarist expected to back up the King of Rock ’n’ Roll on a Las Vegas stage.





Robust ’60s “U” maple neck





The James Burton Telecaster’s neck comes equipped with a somewhat robust “U”-shaped maple neck ? by no means a classic Tele baseball bat shape, but large enough to give your hands a proper grip when punching out your favorite twangy licks. Topped with a matching maple fingerboard and fast-playing vintage frets, this Tele features a modernized 9.5-inch radius to crank up the playability and performance, allowing for singing double-stop bends in any register without a hint of fret out.





Serial US22183628


Serial US22183628


Fender James Burton Telecaster Electric Guitar Features:


Ultra-lightweight basswood body finished with Paisley Flame attitude


Maple neck carved into a chunky ’60s “U” profile


Matching maple fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets in a modern 9.5-inch radius


A trio of Specially Designed James Burton single coil-coil pickups split the difference between Strat quack and Tele twang


5-way switch and S-1 series switch provide exceptional tonal versatility


6-saddle string-through hardtail Stratocaster bridge offers enhanced intonation compared to a 3-barrel Tele bridge


Rock-solid Deluxe cast/sealed tuners with pearl buttons