2015 Fender Telecaster – Richie Kotzen model

So good, it was my #1 for a few years.

I was absolutely not in the market for a new guitar. Not. At. All. Then one day, I wandered in the local music store with my son as he shopped for some drum sticks. While wandering around, I came across this thing and it literally floored me. Love at first sight. It’s stunning with its flamed sunburst finish, blond neck and abalone inlays. It even had a Seymour Duncan “hotrail” in the bridge position (my long time favourite stacked single coil pickup), but nothing prepared me for how it played. HUGE neck, vintage feel… Damn, it is nice.

Turns out it’s a Richie Kotzen model (I didn’t notice that or care when I bought it). Richie and I are actually similar sized people. So all his adjustments fit me like a glove. Rounded off the top corner, added a rear comfort cut – this thing is just unreal. It is easily the nicest off-the-rack guitar I have ever played and it continues to fight with Johnson for my #1 spot.

Well done, Richie! This thing is truly amazing.