Fender Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster Silver Sparkle Maple Fingerboard

What we say:

Wow, this is one awesome looking Telecaster! It’s Brad Paisley’s signature model and whilst it doesn’t come with a rhinestone-encrusted denim jacket and cowboy hat, we think it should!

Joking aside, we were very impressed when this first came in: it’s a Mexican Road Worn model and the relic job has been carried out to a high standard. This is an attention-grabbing guitar and no mistake! Silver sparkle finish with a silver Paisley patterned pickguard? Yee-ha!

There are a number of interesting features to check out: for example, the neck profile is an ‘enhanced V’ shape: it begins as a V and becomes more round as it ascends towards the higher frets, giving you the best of both worlds feel-wise.

On the playing side, you get 21 Medium Jumbo frets on a relatively modern 9.5” radius fingerboard. This is perhaps surprising given the context of the guitar but these are excellent choices: the entire neck is a joy to play on, regardless of your style.

Hardware includes a custom-wound bridge unit based on a ’64 Tele model and a Twisted Tele neck pickup. Both offer plenty of ‘poke’ and strong, clean tone.

Even the body itself is unusual (that’s before we even get to that awesome finish) in its wood choice and construction. Most of the body is made with super-resonant Paulownia sandwiched with a top and back of Spruce, not normally a choice for electrics. All we can say is that this is a sweet sounding, articulate guitar so this combination proves its own success through practical application.

And yes, that finish. Relic’d Silver Sparkle with a Paisley pickguard. This thing is born for the stage! We understand that Brad Paisley is as Country as it gets but we think this guitar is also a fantastic choice for indie guitarists and Dick Dale fans: imagine playing ‘Miserlou’ on this! The hardware has been Road Worn too and these days the effect is very natural and convincing.

This cool axe is full of charisma and style, not to mention an upmarket sound and an easy feel. A complete win, in other words.