Fender's Hybrid Troublemaker Telecaster Hits Market

First announced in January as part of its Parallel Universe series, Fender's Troublemaker Teles have finally hit the market, following months of anticipation. The half-Fender/half-Gibson style of the instruments even inspired us to create a gallery of other Tele-Les Paul hybrids featured on our site.

Like the Les Paul, Fender's Troublemaker Tele features a bound mahogany body and mahogany neck. It's available in two finishes, Blue Metallic and Ice Tea Burst—with the Burst's maple top especially mimicking Gibson's iconic design, but the similarities don't end there.

The Troublemaker Tele's dual-humbucker setup has a Shawbucker 2T at the bridge and a Shawbucker 1T at the neck, adjusted by a three-position toggle switch on the upper bout of the instrument. And the adjustable bridge is paired with a stopbar tailpiece.

Meanwhile, the neck is fashioned in Fender's "Modern Deep C" shape, with a 9.5-inch radius, and a Tele's standard 25.5-inch scale-length. However, instead of a Tele-style headstock, the Troublemaker Teles feature an oversized Strat-style headstock.

What do you think of Fender's hybrid Tele-Les Paul? Let us know in the comments.

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