Fender James Burton Telecaster

James Burton Signature Telecaster: When Session Legend Meets Stage Warrior You're looking at the blueprint that made James Burton a legend - the kind of axe that understands his philosophy of serving the song first, whether that's backing Elvis in Vegas or laying down those crystalline country licks that defined an era.

Few guitarists bridge worlds like James Burton - from laying down those crystalline country licks in Nashville studios to holding down the rhythm section behind Elvis in Vegas, the man's influence on both rock and country guitar is simply massive. This signature Telecaster captures that versatility in ways that'll surprise you.

Here's the thing - calling this a "Telecaster" sells it short. Burton's vision created something closer to a Strat-Tele hybrid that defies easy categorization. Those three Special Design Burton pickups cover the entire Fender single-coil spectrum, while that 5-way switching gives you everything from his signature chicken-pickin' snap to those quacky in-between Strat tones that session players crave.

But the real genius lives in that S-1 switch. Hit positions two or four, engage the series circuitry, and suddenly you've got girthier tone with hotter output - perfect for when you need more presence without changing guitars mid-song.

The basswood body isn't just about tone; it's pure practicality. When you're backing the King of Rock 'n' Roll through three-hour Vegas shows, every ounce matters. That ultra-light construction prevents shoulder fatigue while the Paisley Flame finish delivers the visual impact those stages demanded.

That maple-on-maple neck strikes perfect balance - robust enough for serious grip strength during aggressive playing, but nowhere near baseball-bat territory. The modern 9.5-inch radius transforms vintage-fret comfort into something genuinely playable for today's techniques, letting you nail singing double-stop bends without fighting the fretboard.

Burton spent decades proving that versatility trumps specialization. Whether you're chicken-pickin' through country changes or laying down those tight, articulate rhythms that made Elvis's Vegas years legendary, this guitar adapts to serve the music, not your ego.

General:
Number of Strings: 6
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed

Body:
Body Type: Solidbody
Body Shape: James Burton Telecaster
Body Material: Basswood
Body Finish: Satin Polyurethane
Color: Blue Paisley Flames

Neck:
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: '60s U
Neck Joint: Bolt-on
Radius: 9.5"
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Fingerboard Inlay: Black Dots
Number of Frets: 21, Vintage
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.650"
Nut Material: Synthetic Bone

Hardware:
Bridge/Tailpiece: American Vintage Strat strings-through hardtail
Tuners: Gold plated Fender/Schaller cast sealed tuners with pearl buttons

Electronics:
Neck Pickup: James Burton Single-coil
Middle Pickup: James Burton Single-coil
Bridge Pickup: James Burton Single-coil
Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
Switching: S-1 switch, 5-way blade pickup switch