As a guitar reviews editor, I've discovered the Fender Player II model is the essential Telecaster for value, but somehow it's still $190 cheaper – in an exclusive finish too

Fender Player II Telecaster
(Image credit: Future)

Update: This deal has now sold out. But the good news is the Player II Tele deal below is currently available and is currently the cheapest I've found.

Fender Player II Series Telecaster in British Racing Green
Save 23% ($190)
Fender Player II Series Telecaster in British Racing Green : was $839.99 now $649.99 at Guitar Center

This is currently the biggest Player II Tele deal online for Cyber Monday, with a huge $190 off and a Guitar Center exclusive British Racing Green finish. The Player II spec sets a standard for value in the Fender catalogue but at this price, it's a true bargain.

I'm not sure how controversial it is to say this, but I think Fender might have created a problem with its Player II Series Telecaster – especially in the Black Friday guitar deals. I've found them to be so good for the money, I wonder if many players will think it's worth paying more for the company's more expensive models. Now I've seen one with $252 off at Fender.com and I honestly can't believe it.

A $50 discount I could understand, but $190 is huge for a Player II Fender – and in an exclusive, classy Forest Green finish, third-party guitar retailers can't stock? Even more incredible.

The rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges is a huge upgrade from the Player line, giving the Player II Tele neck an incredibly smooth and tactile feel. The ClassicGear tuners are the other big upgrade for me – as found on much more expensive US models.

Fender Player II Series Telecaster ClassicGear tuners

(Image credit: Fender)

The pair of Alnico 5 pickups surprised me as someone who is big on upgrading their Ensenada Fender models – I'm not sure I'd bother paying extra to swap them out as Fender's stock models are so usable, especially with my own rig where stacked overdrive pedals are a central part.

Fender Player II Series Telecaster

(Image credit: Fender)
Rob Laing
Reviews Editor, Guitar World & MusicRadar guitars

Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com, Guitar World magazine and MusicRadar guitars, heading up our in-house reviews team to give you in-depth and honest tests of the latest guitar gear. He eats and dreams reviews.

Rob has 20 years of experience writing, reviewing, interviewing and editing for guitar magazines and websites, including Guitarist and Total Guitar.

Over the years he's interviewed artists including Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, but he's lost count of all the guitar gear he's tested.