NGD - Viva La Diferencia!

[Surfysonic]

I've been on the lookout for a US-made Telecaster ever since I traded my Fender AV '52 Roasted Maple Tele for a Fender Parallel Universe II Jazz Strat with the surf green Fender hardshell case.

For me, the build, fit & finish on the Jazz Strat is probably the closest I'll get to a Custom Shop-level Fender guitar. I like that it's unusual - it sounds and plays amazing. Outstanding build quality, too.



No, not another Jazz Strat...

I have a '50s Vintera that I am super happy with after I put in some Custom Shop Texas Special pickups. I also have a few fun pandemic parts builds that are comprised of MIM components; one with Custom Shop Nocaster pickups and the other two guitars have Fralin hum-cancelling pickups in them (one bridge pickup a P90 in Tele bridge construction). All excellent guitars, but even so, I missed having an outstanding build quality US-made Fender Telecaster.

I realized, though, the above mentioned guitars are all basically single-coils, so I felt it would be nice to have a Tele HH configuration.

That's when I checked out this over the top/far more blingy, unusual Telecaster that that was designed with Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Ron Thorn - some may find this guitar beautiful, some may find it unattractive, and that's all good. I guess I'm letting my bling-freak flag fly, lol - here is the Parallel Universe II Tele Mágico!

I'm usually a little more reserved about the blingy-ness on a guitar, but maybe as I'm getting older, the less self-concious I am about it. This from a guy who has no qualms running errands in my hard rubber-soled slippers.





So much pearloid - what the heck, I'm fully embracing the festive-ness of it!



Then I saw the gorgeous flamed Soft V to C shaped neck. I figured I would gamble on whether I'd like the neck shape - turns out to be a good gamble - super comfortable neck. Love it!









Then I heard the beautiful tones from the custom-designed Fender Gold Foil pickups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOo5u1LAaNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOpFc9uE1U

I recently put in some Novak Gold Foil pickups in my Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster - glorious tones! I'm hooked on Gold Foils!



I'm a sucker for Daphne Blue and the Mágico's Transparent Daphne Blue finish did me in - oh, and the weight - about 6 lbs.



I have one of those FSR Sonic Blue Fender cases from Musician's Friend that I'm going to pair up with the Mágico if/when I ever play out again.





I don't mind at all the vertical pickup switch selector. I like the volume control being closer to my strumming/picking hand for volume swells. Not that I've ever done a volume swell. Like ever. First time for everything!

[SignoftheDragon]

Damn that's cool!

I love the figure on the neck wood- that under-water look.

[tammyw]

Wow, that's awesome, congratulations! And props to Ron Thorn for that sweet design. I would have really loved to check these out if I didn't have too many guitars already.

[Surfysonic]

Damn that's cool!

I love the figure on the neck wood- that under-water look.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm loving it!

Wow, that's awesome, congratulations! And props to Ron Thorn for that sweet design. I would have really loved to check these out if I didn't have too many guitars already.

Thanks so much! My wife feels the same about my horde - I'm actually selling one of my other guitars to cover the costs of this beauty. If one comes in, one must go!

[Veitchy]

I really dig it. It's a great compliment to the Strat and the gold foils are a nice differentiation.

[HarlowTheFish]

Easily top 3 of the Parallel Universe line for me, with the Jazz Strat and Troublemaker Tele.

This looks sooooo goooooooood

[Surfysonic]

Thanks, all! Get 'em while ya can - limited runs are only around so long!

[marqueemoon]

Definitely gaudy, but it’s over the top enough that it really works.

[HNB]

Hoooottttt.

[BoringPostcards]

[Jonesie]

That's cool as hell. Congrats!

[Surfysonic]

Thanks again! Plays like a dream and takes pedals well!

[Surfysonic]

Forgot to mention that it looks to have an Electrosocket (or Fender-made) jack mount with screws. Nice to not have to replace that like I do with all my Teles.

[Maggieo]

Pure, sexy, showbiz!

[Surfysonic]

Thanks, Maggie!