5 Key Features of the Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster You Need to Know

The Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster was the focus of much excitement at the 2019 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., and rightfully so.

The hybrid acoustic-electric guitar boasts a range of sounds, from full-bodied tones you'd find in a Dreadnought to the twangy chime of a Telecaster, that truly make it a design marvel.

As such, check out five key features of the American Acoustasonic Telecaster that you need to know below.

Stringed Instrument Resonance System

The Acoustasonic's patent-pending tuned Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS) uses a “waterfall” design to control the flow of air into the body, creating a naturally loud voice and lively harmonics.

It was purposefully designed and tuned for the guitar," said Fender Vice President Billy Martinez. "Because it has such a thin body, even though it's hollowed out, we needed a way to enhance the sound so you can have the acoustic experience even when you're not plugged in."

Acoustic Engine

Fender and Fishman collaborated on the Acoustic Engine, which is a mix of classic analog and future technologies that provides a curated collection of acoustic and electric voices.

You can switch through five modes with a five-way selector switch, while a Mod Knob allows you to blend the two different voices.

"It actually takes the analog part of the what the guitar is doing and uses digital signal processing to change the outbound signal to the sounds that we were going for," Martinez said. "Because this guitar was built like an acoustic, the body is actually moving. So the pickups sense what the guitar is doing and sends it to the board to actually alter the sound as it goes out."

Design and Construction

Not only are the five different finishes and inset top beautiful, the resonant hollow body of the Acoustasonic Telecaster is a breeze to play, with an integrated forearm contour and contoured neck heel.

"The forearm contour was for comfort of play and the feeling of the wood and satin finish, so it feels like an acoustic," Martinez noted. "You can really feel the organic nature of it."

Mahogany Telecaster Neck

While the body feels like an acoustic, the Acoustasonic Telecaster is outfitted with a smooth Telecaster neck and an ebony fingerboard that offer snappy, Fender electric tones. In addition, the 22 frets, 25.5" scale length and 12" radius are perfect for electric players.

"The neck gives you ease and playability," said Martinez. "The action is super low. Typically with an acoustic, one of the main arguments with it is it can be a little more difficult to to play. This took that out of the equation. It's also a familiar-feeling neck for electric players, bringing them into the acoustic world."

Pickups

The Acoustasonic Telecaster is outfitted with three pickups: a Fishman Under-Saddle Transducer, a Fishman Acoustasonic Enhancer and a Fender Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup.

The Acoustasonic Noiseless pickup is designed for hum-free Fender electric tone and can be played solo or blended with the under-saddle piezo pickup to create new sounds. Meanwhile, the Acoustasonic Enhancer registers the vibrations of the guitar's top to add percussive elements to your performance.

Do you want to see the American Acoustasonic Telecaster for yourself? Shop it here.