Fender American Professional HotShot Telecaster Electric Guitar - Maple Fingerboard, Butterscotch Blonde

The Fender American Professional HotShot Telecaster takes the timeless Tele formula into new tonal territory, pairing a versatile trio of V-Mod III single-coils with expanded switching options and upgraded performance hardware. An ash body provides a lively, responsive foundation, while the Deep C maple neck features smooth rolled fingerboard edges, a newly sculpted heel and Fender’s Super-Natural satin finish for an exceptionally comfortable feel. V-Mod III Telecaster pickups at the bridge and neck deliver the twang, snap and snarl that define classic Tele tone, while a V-Mod III Stratocaster middle pickup adds glassy, articulate textures and distinctive in-between sounds. Five-way switching provides intuitive access to the three-pickup layout, with push/push switching adding the neck pickup for even greater tonal range. A flexible top-load/string-through bridge with compensated brass bullet saddles improves intonation and gives players greater control over string feel and response, making the HotShot a uniquely versatile addition to the refreshed American Professional lineup.

Ash Construction Provides a Lively, Responsive Tele Foundation

The American Professional HotShot Telecaster starts with a solid ash body for a lively response with crisp articulation and plenty of presence. Its bolt-on maple neck and 25.5" scale reinforce the immediate attack and familiar feel at the heart of the Telecaster platform, providing a responsive foundation for the expanded three-pickup electronics. The classic single-cutaway body retains the direct, purposeful character of the original design, while a durable polyurethane finish provides lasting protection through regular stage, studio and rehearsal use. Offered in Aged Cherry Burst and Butterscotch Blonde, the ash construction gives both versions a distinctly traditional Fender foundation beneath the HotShot’s broader tonal palette.

Refined Deep C Maple Neck Elevates Playing Comfort

Fender’s Deep C maple neck receives several meaningful refinements designed to make the American Professional HotShot Telecaster comfortable from the first chord to the highest frets. Smooth rolled fingerboard edges create a naturally broken-in feel, while the new Super-Natural satin urethane finish lets the fretting hand move freely along the back of the neck. A newly sculpted heel provides easier access to the upper register, complementing the 9.5"-radius maple fingerboard and 22 Narrow Tall frets for comfortable chording, clean fretting and expressive bends. A bone nut completes a thoughtfully refined neck designed around the demands of regular playing.

Three V-Mod III Pickups Expand the Telecaster Palette

The HotShot’s distinctive electronics place a V-Mod III Stratocaster single-coil between V-Mod III Telecaster pickups at the bridge and neck, combining classic Tele bite with an expanded range of Fender textures. The outer pickups retain the twang, snap and snarl expected from a Tele, while the middle pickup brings glassy Strat-inspired articulation and opens up familiar bridge/middle and middle/neck in-between sounds through the five-way blade. A push/push tone control adds the neck pickup for even more combinations beyond the standard five positions. ClassicGear Precision potentiometers provide custom torque, precise resistance and a musical taper for smooth, consistent volume and tone adjustments across the HotShot’s expanded tonal range.

Dual-Loading Bridge Adds Feel, Tone and Intonation Flexibility

The American Professional HotShot Telecaster combines top-load and string-through options with new ClassicGear compensated brass bullet saddles for a flexible update to the traditional three-saddle Tele bridge. The compensated design improves intonation while retaining the characteristic response of brass saddles, and recessed adjustment screws keep the playing surface comfortable under the picking hand. Players can choose string-through loading for a more traditional Tele setup or top-load the strings to alter tension, feel and response, providing additional ways to tailor the instrument to individual preferences. Staggered Fender sealed die-cast tuners provide dependable tuning performance at the headstock, rounding out a thoughtfully updated hardware package.

Classic Tele Character With Greater Tonal Range

The HotShot builds on the Telecaster’s famously direct design by bringing a wider range of distinctly Fender sounds within easy reach. V-Mod III Tele pickups preserve the bite and immediacy at either end of the five-way selector, while the Stratocaster middle pickup and expanded switching introduce additional textures without losing the guitar’s fundamental Tele identity. The refreshed Deep C neck and flexible dual-loading bridge further refine how the instrument feels and responds in the hands of working players. Made in the USA and supplied with a Fender deluxe molded case, the Fender American Professional HotShot Telecaster combines familiar Tele character with the tonal range and performance refinements to handle demanding stage and studio work.