The 2021 Fender American Ultra Telecaster in Texas Tea takes the straightforward Telecaster formula and adds some of Fender's most performance-focused modern features, creating a premium USA-made guitar designed for players who want traditional Tele character with greater comfort, versatility and refinement.

Its bound alder body is paired with a Modern “D” maple neck, rosewood 10"–14" compound-radius fingerboard, 22 medium-jumbo frets and sculpted heel, while two Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickups deliver classic Tele clarity without the background hum associated with conventional single coils. Fender's S-1 switching adds a powerful series-wired pickup option alongside the traditional three-way sounds.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional. Serial number US210031271. A hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Fender
Model	American Ultra Telecaster
Year	2021
Finish	Texas Tea
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Serial Number	US210031271
Country of Manufacture	USA
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Premium modern Tele with Noiseless pickups and S-1 switching
Best For	Rock, blues, country, pop, funk, studio and professional live use

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Fender American Ultra Telecaster is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready for regular professional use.

What's Included?

✔ Fender American Ultra Telecaster Texas Tea
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership
• Hardcase included
• Serial number: US210031271

No specific faults, repairs or modifications are recorded.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Fender American Ultra Telecaster has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickup tested
• Bridge Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickup tested
• 3-way selector checked
• S-1 switching tested
• Master volume checked
• Master tone control checked
• Output jack tested
• Neck condition assessed
• Rosewood fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Locking tuning machines assessed
• Bridge and saddles inspected
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and general playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• S-1 switching
• Electronics
• Bridge setup
• Hardware
• General playability

Minor setup movement can naturally occur during transportation due to changes in temperature and humidity.

What Makes The Fender American Ultra Telecaster Special?

The American Ultra Telecaster retains the direct response and simple two-pickup layout that define a Tele while substantially updating the playing experience. The Modern “D” neck, compound-radius fingerboard, rolled edges, body contouring and sculpted heel make it noticeably more accommodating for contemporary lead playing than a traditional vintage-style Telecaster.

Its electronics are equally useful. Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickups preserve the clarity and attack associated with traditional Tele pickups while significantly reducing hum, and the S-1 switch allows both pickups to operate in series for a thicker, higher-output sound when required.

Key Features & Benefits

Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele Pickups

The two Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickups are designed to retain the snap, definition and responsiveness expected from a Telecaster while reducing the electrical hum normally associated with traditional single coils.

S-1 Series Switching

The S-1 switch built into the volume control places both pickups in series when the selector is in the middle position, producing a thicker and more powerful sound than the conventional parallel middle setting.

Modern “D” Neck Profile

The maple neck uses Fender's Modern “D” profile, combining a relatively slim depth with broader shoulders for a secure, contemporary feel.

10"–14" Compound-Radius Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard begins rounder near the nut for comfortable chord work and becomes progressively flatter towards the upper frets, making bends and faster lead techniques easier.

Sculpted Heel And Body Contours

The American Ultra introduced additional body contouring and a tapered heel to a design traditionally known for its slab-sided simplicity, improving both playing comfort and access to the highest frets.

Locking Tuning Machines

Deluxe locking tuners make string changes quicker while providing a secure string anchor and dependable tuning performance.

Six-Saddle Bridge

The 6-saddle American Tele bridge uses chromed brass saddles, giving each string individual intonation adjustment compared with a traditional three-saddle Tele bridge.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

American Ultra Telecaster vs American Professional II Telecaster

The American Professional II maintains a slightly more traditional professional Tele feel, while the Ultra moves further towards modern performance with a compound-radius fingerboard, Noiseless pickups, locking tuners, more extensive body contouring and S-1 series switching.

American Ultra Telecaster vs American Vintage II Telecaster

The American Vintage II range concentrates on reproducing historic Fender specifications. The Ultra takes the opposite approach, retaining the fundamental Telecaster sound while introducing contemporary ergonomics, electronics and hardware.

American Ultra Telecaster vs American Ultra II Telecaster

The later Ultra II develops the concept further with revised pickups, neck construction and other updated appointments. This original-generation American Ultra represents the specification that established Fender's premium modern Tele platform and has its own distinct pickup and hardware configuration.

Who Is It For?

Professional and gigging guitarists – Premium hardware, Noiseless electronics and excellent upper-fret access make it particularly practical for regular performance.

Country players – The bridge pickup retains the articulation and attack essential to traditional Tele-style playing.

Rock musicians – S-1 series wiring provides additional weight when standard single-coil tones need more authority.

Blues guitarists – The neck pickup offers warmer, expressive tones while the compound-radius fingerboard accommodates bending comfortably.

Studio players – Noiseless operation and several genuinely distinct pickup voices make it particularly useful in recording environments.

Players who like Telecasters but prefer modern necks – The compound radius, rolled edges and sculpted heel significantly modernise the traditional Tele playing experience.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Country
• Blues
• Blues rock
• Classic rock
• Rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Pop
• Funk
• Soul
• Americana
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Clean rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Effects-based rigs

Why Choose A Modern Telecaster?

The original Telecaster remains one of the most effective electric guitar designs ever created, but its traditionally flat-sided body, vintage-radius necks and three-saddle bridges are not necessarily ideal for every modern player.

The American Ultra retains the simplicity and direct response of a Tele while addressing those areas with a contoured body, compound-radius fingerboard, individual bridge saddles, locking tuners and improved upper-fret access.

Its electronics also broaden the format without making it complicated. The conventional three-way selector remains completely familiar, while the S-1 switch provides an additional heavier voice only when required.

Story & Context

Fender introduced the American Ultra series in 2019 as the successor to the American Elite range and positioned it as the company's advanced USA production series.

Rather than concentrating on vintage recreation, Fender developed the Ultra models around contemporary professional performance.

For the Telecaster, this meant introducing features that would once have seemed unusual on such a traditionally simple design: extensive body contouring, a compound-radius neck, Noiseless pickups, locking tuners, a sculpted heel and additional switching.

The Texas Tea finish became one of the signature colours of the series, changing considerably in appearance depending on lighting and pairing particularly well with the bound body and anodized pickguard.

Serial number US210031271 identifies this example as a 2021 USA-made Fender.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Series	American Ultra
Model	Telecaster
Year	2021
Serial Number	US210031271
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Texas Tea
Body Shape	Telecaster
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Urethane
Body Detail	Bound Top with Ultra Contouring
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Profile	Modern “D”
Neck Finish	Ultra Satin Urethane with Gloss Headstock Face
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	10"–14" Compound Radius
Fingerboard Edges	Rolled
Scale Length	25.5" / 648mm
Number of Frets	22
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.685" / 42.8mm
Position Inlays	Pearloid Dot
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele
Bridge Pickup	Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume with S-1 Switch, Master Tone
Switching	3-Position Blade
Additional Switching	S-1 Series Wiring in Middle Position
Bridge	6-Saddle American Tele
Saddles	Chromed Brass
Tuning Machines	Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking, Short Post
Pickguard	1-Ply Anodized Aluminium
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Asymmetrical
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Serial Number Note

Fender's USA serial format uses the US prefix followed by a two-digit year identifier.

Serial number US210031271 therefore identifies this as a 2021 USA-made Fender.

The remaining digits are a unit identifier and should not be interpreted as a sequential production number.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickups and S-1 switching operate without a user-replaceable battery and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 2021 Fender American Ultra Telecaster in Texas Tea is an excellent choice for players who love the clarity and simplicity of a Telecaster but want a significantly more modern playing experience.

The Modern “D” neck, compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, rolled edges and sculpted heel make it exceptionally comfortable, while Ultra Noiseless pickups and S-1 series wiring considerably extend its usefulness on stage and in the studio.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is a strong pre-owned option for anyone looking for a premium USA Fender capable of covering traditional Tele territory while offering considerably more flexibility than a vintage-spec model.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying pre-owned can make premium USA-made instruments more accessible while giving you the opportunity to purchase the individual guitar shown.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale so its condition and included items are clearly represented.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, used and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Fender and premium pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing gear could be worth towards this Fender American Ultra Telecaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was this Fender American Ultra Telecaster made?

Serial number US210031271 identifies it as a 2021 USA-made Fender.

What pickups does it use?

It is fitted with two Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele pickups.

Are the pickups completely traditional single coils?

They are designed to reproduce traditional Tele-style response while using Fender's Noiseless technology to significantly reduce normal single-coil hum.

What does the S-1 switch do?

With the selector in the middle position, the S-1 switch connects both pickups in series, producing a thicker and more powerful sound than the normal parallel combination.

What is the neck profile like?

It uses Fender's Modern “D” profile, which has a relatively slim depth with broader shoulders.

Does it have a compound-radius fingerboard?

Yes. The rosewood fingerboard changes from 10" near the nut to 14" towards the upper frets.

Why use a compound radius?

The rounder lower section remains comfortable for chords, while the flatter upper register makes larger bends and faster lead techniques easier.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 medium-jumbo frets.

Does it have traditional three-saddle Tele hardware?

No. The American Ultra uses a six-saddle bridge with chromed brass saddles, allowing each string to be intonated independently.

Does it have locking tuners?

Yes. It uses Deluxe sealed locking tuning machines.

What is special about the Texas Tea finish?

Texas Tea is a dark metallic finish that can change noticeably in appearance depending on the lighting, ranging from very dark tones through warmer metallic shades.

Does the body have traditional Telecaster contours?

Not entirely. The Ultra incorporates additional body contouring and a sculpted heel to improve comfort and upper-fret access.

Does it require a battery?

No user-replaceable battery is required.

Does the guitar come with a hardcase?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase the original Fender Elite Molded Case?

The guitar is supplied with a hardcase. No claim is made regarding original factory case specification unless separately confirmed.

Is this suitable for professional live use?

Yes. The Noiseless pickups, locking tuners, modern neck, versatile electronics and adjustable six-saddle bridge make the American Ultra particularly well suited to regular professional performance.

Can I request a closer look at this individual guitar?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the Texas Tea finish and individual cosmetic condition in greater detail before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.