Fender Player II Mod Tele SH RW DSK

Fender Player II Mod Tele SH RW DSK review

The Fender Player II Mod Tele SH RW DSK pairs a familiar Telecaster layout with a bridge single-coil pickup and a humbucker in the neck position. The humbucker can be split using the push-pull tone control, giving the guitar a wider range of sounds than a conventional two-single-coil Tele. At a listed price of $990, it is aimed at players who want that added flexibility without leaving the familiar Tele format.

The supplied playing reports point to two sides of the ownership experience. One player liked the neck feel, finish, and range of tones straight away, and used the guitar successfully at rock and blues-rock rehearsals. Another received an instrument with disappointing string height and tuning, then spent time setting it up with new strings before being satisfied with the sound. These accounts make setup an important part of the verdict: the guitar can perform well, but the condition of the individual instrument on arrival may vary.

Construction and playing feel

The body is alder, finished in Dusk, a dark color described by one owner as black with a violet reflection. A three-ply black, white, and black pickguard and nickel-and-chrome hardware complete the look. The bolt-on maple neck has a rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays. Its Modern C profile, 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, 42 mm nut, and 22 medium-jumbo frets are familiar specifications for a contemporary Fender-style instrument.

The owner who praised the feel found the satin neck finish comfortable and the fret ends rounded to a satisfactory standard. They also reported that their guitar arrived well adjusted, with no immediate need for a setup. That experience contrasts with a separate report of poorly adjusted string height and saddle positions, along with tuning problems. A guitar's setup can shift during transport, but the complaint is specific enough to note: buyers should check tuning, string height, and intonation soon after unboxing rather than assume everything is ready to play.

Pickup options and controls

At the bridge, a Player II Noiseless Tele single-coil is paired with a Player II Modified humbucker at the neck. The three-way switch selects the bridge pickup, both pickups, or the neck pickup. A master volume control includes treble bleed, while the master tone control has a push-pull function that splits the neck humbucker.

That split option is central to the guitar's appeal. In the owner feedback, the full humbucker delivered the blues-oriented sound one player wanted, while splitting it brought the middle-position combination closer to the familiar Tele character they had been seeking. The bridge pickup supplies the brighter Tele voice, and the neck humbucker provides a thicker alternative. The available report does not describe detailed clean-tone or high-gain tests, so players should try the pickup combinations with their own amplifier and effects before deciding whether the range suits their style.

Bridge, tuning, and included gear

The bridge is a six-saddle, string-through-body Tele design with brass block saddles. Sealed locking short-post tuners are fitted at the headstock, and the guitar ships with Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel strings in.009 to.042 gauge. There is no tremolo system. These choices keep the hardware in line with a fixed-bridge Tele setup and give players straightforward access to individual saddle adjustments.

The package includes a deluxe gig bag, but not a hard case. For transport between lessons or rehearsals, the bag is useful, though players who need the protection of a rigid case should account for that separately. The listed scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches.

Verdict

The Player II Mod Tele SH RW DSK makes a persuasive case for players who want a Tele-style bridge sound alongside a neck humbucker that can be split. The feedback supports its potential for blues, rock, and blues rock, with a comfortable satin neck and a finish that stands out without changing the instrument's familiar outline. Its main caveat is setup consistency. One owner was ready to return the guitar before correcting the string height, saddles, and strings; another found theirs ready for rehearsals. Inspecting the setup early is sensible.

Available since April 2025, item number 609080, this model is a focused option for players who prefer a flexible two-pickup layout over the standard all-single-coil approach. Its appeal rests on the combination of a Tele bridge pickup, a split-capable neck humbucker, and a familiar Fender neck shape. If those are the sounds and feel you want, the Dusk finish and included gig bag round out a well-equipped package, provided the setup checks out.