Fender Fullerton Tele Uke BTB

The Fender Fullerton Tele Uke BTB is a unique and distinctive ukulele that clearly draws its inspiration from Fender's iconic Telecaster electric guitar. It's part of Fender's Fullerton series of ukuleles, which aims to blend traditional ukulele playability with unmistakable Fender aesthetics. The "BTB" in the name stands for Butterscotch Blonde, a classic Telecaster finish color.

Here's a detailed look at its features:

Core Concept & Aesthetics:

• Telecaster Body Shape: This is the most obvious and defining feature. It has the single-cutaway, slab-body look of a Fender Telecaster, scaled down to ukulele size.

• 4-in-line Telecaster Headstock: Another signature Fender touch, featuring four tuning machines in a straight line on one side of the headstock, just like a Telecaster guitar.

• Pickguard: Comes with a 1-ply white pickguard (or sometimes tortoiseshell, depending on the specific model variation/batch), completing the classic Telecaster look.

• Butterscotch Blonde Finish: This is a very popular and iconic finish from the Telecaster guitar line, giving the ukulele a vintage, rock-and-roll vibe. The finish is typically a gloss poly.

Construction & Materials:

• Size: Concert Ukulele. This is a common and versatile ukulele size, larger than a soprano but smaller than a tenor, offering a good balance of portability and a fuller tone. Its scale length is approximately 15.04" (382mm).

• Body Top: Laminated Spruce. Spruce is a popular tonewood for instrument tops due to its bright and resonant qualities. Being laminated (layered wood) makes the instrument more durable and stable, and helps keep the price accessible.

• Body Back & Sides: Mahogany (or sometimes Okoume, depending on the production run/color variant). This also tends to be laminated. Mahogany provides a warm tonal foundation. The laminated construction contributes to the instrument's overall sturdiness and resistance to environmental changes, which can also help with feedback control when plugged in.

• Neck Material: Maple. This is distinct from many traditional ukuleles, which often use mahogany necks. Maple necks are known for their brightness and stability. It typically has a gloss urethane finish.

• Fingerboard Material: Walnut. A popular and sustainable alternative to rosewood, offering a smooth playing surface. It has a flat radius.

• Number of Frets: 19.

• Nut Material: Synthetic Bone. Designed to provide good string vibration transfer.

• Nut Width: 1.38" (35mm).

• Bridge: Walnut "No-Tie" Bridge. This is a convenient feature that makes string changes much easier than traditional ukulele bridges, as it doesn't require special knotting.

• Hardware Finish: Nickel.

• Tuning Machines: Sealed Nickel tuners, providing good tuning stability.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with Aquila Nylgut Concert strings, which are popular for their clear tone and good intonation.

Electronics:

• Fender FE-U01 Preamp System: This is a custom-designed active preamp system by Fender, built into the ukulele. It allows you to plug the ukulele into an amplifier or PA system.

• Controls: The preamp typically includes:

  • Volume control

  • Tone control

  • Integrated Electronic Tuner with On/Off Switch: A very convenient feature for quick and accurate tuning.

  • Low Battery Indicator Light: Alerts you when the 9V battery (required to power the active electronics) is running low.

Overall Impression:

The Fender Fullerton Tele Uke BTB is designed for players who want to stand out and embrace a more "electric" aesthetic and feel in their ukulele playing.

• Looks: Its primary appeal is its strong visual connection to the iconic Fender Telecaster.

• Amplified Performance: The built-in Fender preamp makes it stage-ready and ideal for playing with a band or in amplified settings, offering control over your tone. Reviews often note its clean and balanced output when plugged in.

• Acoustic Tone: While it has a decent acoustic sound for a laminated instrument, it's generally considered to be more focused on its amplified performance. Some reviewers describe its acoustic tone as pleasantly deep and satisfying for its price, while others note it's not as resonant as traditional all-solid wood ukuleles.

• Playability: The maple neck and walnut fingerboard, combined with sealed tuners and a no-tie bridge, contribute to a comfortable and user-friendly playing experience.

This ukulele is perfect for players who love the Fender brand, guitarists looking for an easy transition to ukulele, or anyone who wants a unique, gig-ready acoustic-electric ukulele with a rock-and-roll attitude.