Why Does Fender Keep Making New Telecasters Each Year?

At some point it seems futile, but then you pick up a new Tele and it’s easier to understand.

I’ve reviewed and shot demos for a lot of guitars in the past 7 years, 141 to be exact, so I think I know a thing or two about how a guitar should play and feel. A LOT of those reviews have been Fenders, as they tend to release a lot of guitars and are kind enough to work with me. In fact, Fender is my most-reviewed guitar brand, with a whopping 15 models and an additional 12 of their Squier models, listed on my proverbial review resume. Now I bet you can guess what my most often reviewed body-style is next? That’s right, it’s a Telecaster! I’ve reviewed 21 Tele-style guitars, including some by non-Fender/Squier brands as well.

I love Telecasters, and I have ever since I was introduced to The Clash and saw Joe Strummer playing one as teenager. I’m always on the hunt for the next great T-style guitar and often feel right at home playing them. Over the years I’ve often wondered if there are too many Teles, especially in the Fender and Squier lineups. Every few years they seem to have a new type of Tele to advertise. The Player Series, the Player II Series, the Player II Modified Series, etc…you get the point. Is it too much? Is there any reason they need to keep rehashing the Tele? In recent months I’ve been marinating on this question as I played the new Player II Modified Tele for more and more of my pedal demos.

I had reviewed the guitar earlier this year for Ultimate Guitar, where it earned high praise. The truth is, as much as I wanted to be annoyed that Fender put out another Tele, I couldn’t help but love it. Sure, it’s a touch annoying that the prices keep going up, but they are adding some cool features to their new guitars. In particular, the ability to choose between parallel and series wiring really enhanced the Tele tone. Oh, and the rounded edges on the fretboard really do make this buttery smooth. So yeah, they keep taking the Tele and tweaking a few things here and there.

But that’s not why I’m okay with them rehashing Teles to sell for an extra few bucks each year. I’m okay with it because every time I pick up a Fender Tele I’m just delighted with the guitar. I’ve owned so many Teles in my life, yet I keep just feeling inspired. The frontman in my band plays a Fender Player Series II Telecaster that I bought, and it’s brilliant. The Player II Modified Tele is even more brilliant, and keeps bringing more accessible Tele options to new waves of guitarists entering the market.

The main point I’m trying to make here is that we should shift our focus onto the quality of the new guitars, not the drama surrounding them. If you pick up a new Telecaster and it feels incredible to play, if it is fun, that is all that matters. I’ve worked hard to make my reviews more focused on how “fun” or inspiring the gear is to play. If I’m not having fun, it probably shows, giving you a pretty clear picture that the gear’s not perfect. Despite a lot of folks suggesting it’s foolish for Fender to rehash the Tele for the Player II Modified lineup, the guitar is one of my favorites from the 2025 review season. Don’t overcomplicate it! Hopefully you can all spend the second half of 2025 focusing on how much fun gear is, not what is typed about it on forums or in the comment section.