Raphael Saadiq Telecaster

elstoof

Not the most obvious signature guitar collaboration I would have expected

https://www.fender.com/en-GB/electric-guitars/telecaster/limited-edition-raphael-saadiq-telecaster/0111060848.html

Offset

Ooooh no.  It's difficult to ruin the appearance of a Telecaster, but somehow Fender have managed it.

WYNIR0

I like it. But not for that money

Whitecat

If you showed me a picture of that and hadn’t told me whose signature model it was I might have guessed this guy:

stickyfiddle

God forbid Fender ever does anything that wasn’t exactly like it was before 1962. I like it!

elstoof

I quite like it too. He’s an incredible musician, tasty guitar player among his many talents but I have no idea what his signature sound might be

LessPaul

Whitecat said:

If you showed me a picture of that and hadn’t told me whose signature model it was I might have guessed this guy:

I would have said this? 

https://i.imgur.com/cBmwXOj.jpg

Offset

stickyfiddle said:

God forbid Fender ever does anything that wasn’t exactly like it was before 1962. I like it!

Well apart from the rank colour scheme and the -meh- pickguard, there isn't anything on this that's THAT different!  God, they even retained the dumb-arsed 3-saddle bridge :-) 

EvansDrD

It’s great to see RS acknowledged by Fender. He’s an amazing talent in my opinion 

But I honestly think of him more as a bass player. Tasty work on D’Angelo’s first album - and Solange’s. As well as his own stuff 

elstoof

I’d buy a D’Angelo D’Angelico

ElectricXII

I like it. I can't see a butterscotch blackguard tele without yawning.

digtheditch

The pickguard isn't great but it's the fretboard markers that hurt my eyes. What are Fender doing with them, dipping them in coffee?

strtdv

digtheditch said:

The pickguard isn't great but it's the fretboard markers that hurt my eyes. What are Fender doing with them, dipping them in coffee?

Presumably they just choose whatever colour of clay they/the artist wants.
I didn't initially love the dark red body colour but after noticing it's bound I reckon it could look quite smart in person

AlexO

I can't believe he's 57!
Cool guitar for a cool fella.

Power_Freak

Love Saadiq, but was surprised to see a sig tele from him tbh. I like the look of it, nice to see something a bit different. In the flesh I can imagine the pickguard will either look class or hideous - nothing in between, though.

Offset

Power_Freak said:

Love Saadiq, but was surprised to see a sig tele from him tbh. I like the look of it, nice to see something a bit different. In the flesh I can imagine the pickguard will either look class or hideous - nothing in between, though.

I know where my money is :-)

blueskunk

Bargain though :-/

stonevibe

The black binding with that dark red may look better in real life, as the photos don't do it justice. The pickups also sound pretty good, and it has a 59 C-profile neck, which might be comfy.

It has grown on me as a guitar, though I doubt I'll get to try one as a limited run, and I didn't request Fender to send one for review.