Fender Player II Mod Tele SH MN OLP

Fender Player II Mod Tele SH MN OLP review

The Fender Player II Mod Tele SH MN OLP combines a Telecaster-style bridge pickup with a humbucker in the neck position, then adds a push-pull control to split the humbucker's coils. That gives players a wider range of sounds than a traditional single-coil Tele setup, while keeping the familiar body shape and bridge design. The reported playing impressions are notably positive: the guitar is described as balanced, comfortable, and capable of covering different styles without losing its Telecaster character.

Available since April 2025, this model has an Olympic Pearl finish, an alder body, and a maple neck with a maple fingerboard. Its listed price is 990. Fender includes a deluxe gig bag, but not a hard case. The guitar has 22 frets and a 648 mm scale, equivalent to 25.5 inches.

Pickup layout and controls

The bridge position uses a Player II Noiseless Tele single-coil pickup. At the neck is a Player II Modified humbucker. A three-way switch selects the pickup combinations, while the master volume includes a treble-bleed circuit intended to retain high frequencies as the volume is lowered. The master tone control has a push-pull function that splits the neck humbucker's coils.

That coil-split option is the main source of the model's flexibility. With the humbucker in its full configuration, the neck position offers a thicker voice than a conventional Tele neck single coil. Pulling the tone control changes that pickup's configuration, giving the player another tonal option without adding a separate switch. The customer feedback particularly praises the humbucker's warmth and its ability to bring out midrange and treble detail. Those impressions suggest that the neck pickup is more than a simple high-output contrast to the bridge pickup.

The bridge pickup keeps the guitar tied to the bright, direct sound associated with a Telecaster-style single coil. Together, the two pickups provide options for cleaner, sharper parts and fuller neck-position sounds. The feedback describes the overall balance as a strength, though individual results will depend on the amplifier, effects, and playing style.

Neck, fingerboard, and playability

The maple neck has a Modern C profile, a 241 mm (9.5-inch) fingerboard radius, and black dot inlays. The fingerboard radius and medium-jumbo frets are practical specifications for players who move between chords and bends. The nut is made from TUSQ and measures 1.650 inches wide. One player reports that the fretboard and frets feel smooth under the fingers, making it easy to move through riffs, solos, and chord changes.

The scale length is the familiar 25.5 inches. That longer scale gives the guitar the expected firm string feel for this format, although string gauge also plays a part. Fender fits.009-.042 nickel-plated steel strings. Players who prefer a heavier feel or lower tuning may want to experiment with a different gauge and have the setup checked afterward.

Hardware and construction

The body is alder, with no separate top. A four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard provides a visual contrast against the Olympic Pearl finish. The six-saddle bridge uses strings-through-body construction and brass block saddles. There is no tremolo system, so players who want pitch bends from a vibrato arm will need to look elsewhere. For players who prefer a fixed bridge, the straightforward layout is likely a plus.

Fender equips the guitar with enclosed Deluxe locking tuning machines and nickel/chrome hardware. The feedback specifically notes that the tuning machines hold tuning reliably over extended playing. Locking tuners can also make string changes more convenient, though they do not replace a properly cut nut or a careful setup.

Verdict

The Fender Player II Mod Tele SH MN OLP is a strong option for players who want Tele-style bridge sounds alongside a more substantial neck pickup. Its coil-split control adds a useful variation, and the reported impressions highlight the humbucker's warmth and detail rather than treating it as a one-dimensional power boost. The maple neck, medium-jumbo frets, fixed bridge, locking tuners, and included gig bag round out a practical specification.

Its appeal depends on whether that pickup combination suits your needs. Players seeking a traditional two-single-coil Telecaster sound may prefer a more conventional configuration. Those who want a broader range of sounds from a familiar Tele-style instrument have a compelling reason to consider this model. At a listed price of 990, the key decision is whether the humbucker and coil-split arrangement earns a place in your regular playing setup.