Fender Player II Mod Tele MN ELB

Fender Player II Mod Tele MN ELB review

The Fender Player II Mod Tele MN ELB brings practical modern features to the familiar Telecaster design. Its two noiseless single-coil pickups, locking tuners, and push-pull tone control distinguish it from a more traditional Tele, while the alder body, maple neck, and string-through-body bridge keep the core formula recognizable. Listed at $939, it has a strong feature set for players who want a Tele-style guitar with fewer compromises around hum and tuning stability.

The Electric Blue finish is a major part of its appeal. One player reported that the guitar looked even better in person, describing the blue as particularly striking. The pearloid pickguard adds a contrasting detail, while the overall look remains unmistakably Telecaster. The guitar has no tremolo system, which suits players who prefer a fixed bridge and a direct, uncomplicated setup.

Build, finish, and setup

The body is alder, with a bolt-on maple neck and maple fingerboard. The neck has a Modern C profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Fender specifies a 25.5-inch scale and a 42 mm nut width. Black dot inlays provide simple fret markers, and the nut is made from TUSQ.

Field feedback on the build was positive. One owner reported no sharp fret ends, paint runs, or loose-feeling controls, switch, or output jack. They also noted that the back of the neck has a satin finish, with a clean transition to the glossy front. The three-way switch clicked firmly into position, and the push-pull control worked as expected. Another player described the neck as comfortable and the guitar as lightweight, although weight can vary from one instrument to another.

The six-saddle Tele bridge uses brass block saddles and strings-through-body construction. That arrangement offers individual saddle adjustment for each string, unlike a three-saddle vintage-style bridge. Fender also fits enclosed Deluxe locking tuners. A player specifically praised the tuners, and another welcomed their presence as a useful upgrade over standard non-locking machines.

Pickups and controls

The guitar is equipped with two Player II Noiseless Tele single-coil pickups. They are designed to retain a single-coil character while reducing the hum commonly associated with traditional single coils. One owner singled out the quiet pickups as a key reason for choosing this version, and described the sound as clear and enjoyable.

The controls include a master volume with treble bleed, a master tone control with a push-pull function, and a three-way pickup selector. Pulling the tone control activates serial mode, adding another wiring option beyond the standard pickup combinations. This gives the guitar extra flexibility without adding a complicated control layout.

One player who usually favors humbucker-equipped guitars found the Tele more focused and defined at a similar level of distortion. They said it encouraged rock playing and made crunch tones especially enjoyable. That is useful context for players crossing over from higher-output guitars: the Tele's response may feel more articulate, but it can also lead to different playing choices. Individual impressions will depend on the amplifier, effects, and playing style.

What comes in the package

The Fender Player II Mod Tele MN ELB includes a deluxe gig bag. A hard case is not included. The supplied strings are Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel, with gauges from.009 to.042. The instrument has nickel/chrome hardware and a four-ply white pearloid pickguard.

• Body: Alder
• Neck and fingerboard: Maple, bolt-on construction
• Pickups: Two Player II Noiseless Tele single coils
• Controls: Master volume with treble bleed, push-pull tone control, three-way switch
• Bridge: Six-saddle Tele bridge with brass block saddles
• Included: Deluxe gig bag

Verdict

The Player II Mod Tele MN ELB is a well-equipped option for players drawn to the Telecaster but looking for quieter pickups and locking tuners. The comfortable neck, firm-feeling controls, adjustable six-saddle bridge, and serial-mode option add practical value. A player coming from humbuckers may find its sound clearer and more exposed under gain, but that character can be a welcome change for crunch and tighter parts. At $939, it offers a modern take on a classic format, with a gig bag included and a vivid Electric Blue finish that stands out in person.