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Short Takes: FSR (Guitar Center) and Special Edition Fenders
Fender made special limited run guitars for Guitar Center, often just enough for a couple of guitars per store. These generally featured some finish or features that set them apart from the regular models (which were 100-200 dollars less). Like the previous part, it explains why I bought it and why it was returned (except with the Strummer Tele).
2011 Fender FSR Classic Player Telecaster with active 9V mid-range boost (like the Eric Clapton Strat).
A Standard with single coil pickups. The boost was controlled by an outer knob on the tone control.
Why: I was looking for a Telecaster with a mid-range boost, having considered installing one myself. Seeing one in the store with one already installed made it a no-brainer buy at the time for $600.
Not: The mid-range boost was very cool, however, the tele itself in terms of its sound was uninspiring and I've never felt 100% comfortable with active pickups. The sound was no problem, I just didn't like having to put batteries into it.
2014 FSR '50s Baja Telecaster with a Vegas Gold Sparkle finish.
It's exactly like it sounds, a Baja with a finish popularized by Buck Owens and Don Rich.
Why: this was actually the second Baja Telecaster I bought, in this case because of the finish (I'm a Buck Owens and Don Rich fan).
Not: My problem with both Baja's was the neck, a thick one that players either loved or hated. I don't think I'm alone in rating comfort with the neck as almost important as the sound. Also, my excitement over the gold sparkle faded very quickly once I truly realized that it was an extremely bright and gaudy finish.
The one I got was priced at $650, which was very good for this particular model.
2007 Fender Joe Strummer MIM Telecaster with vintage single coils and distressed finish. Street price around 800-850.
Why: it was a great sounding Tele and though I wasn't wild about the finish, this is a case where it felt and looked pretty good at the time.
Not: The price was way higher than I was comfortable in 2007 for a MIM tele so it created a situation where any "little thing" could stop the purchase.
That little thing was a problem common to a lot of guitars and amps on the floor at Guitar Centers; in this case the stolen part was a couple of missing custom "rusted" screws off the pickguard. Like with missing tremolo bars and fuses out of vintage amps, any missing part gave me the feeling that maybe a lot more was taken from the guitar then I could see. There was no extra in the store room so I moved on.
The price of a Mexican Tele in 2007 was a whole lot less so the much higher price was already a factor working against it.
Al Handa
July 31, 2026
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