Fender James Burton Telecaster Blue Paisley Flames Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender James Burton Telecaster in Blue Paisley Flames is one of the most distinctive artist-signature Telecasters in the Fender range, combining unmistakable stage presence with an unusually versatile three-pickup electronics system developed around one of the instrument's most influential players.

Rather than using the traditional two-pickup Telecaster layout, the James Burton Telecaster features three specially designed single-coil pickups, five-way “Strat-o-Tele” switching and an additional S-1 switch that introduces series wiring in selected pickup combinations. This gives you significantly more tonal variation than a conventional Tele while keeping the straightforward Master Volume and Master Tone control layout.

A basswood body, substantial '60s “U” maple neck, comfortable 9.5-inch maple fingerboard and 21 vintage-style frets balance traditional Fender character with practical playability. Gold-plated hardware, pearl-button tuners and the spectacular Blue Paisley Flames finish ensure this is every bit as distinctive visually as it is electronically.

A Vintage-Style Tweed Case, strap and cable are included, completing a premium signature package built for stage, studio and serious Telecaster enthusiasts.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	James Burton Telecaster
Model Number	0108602888
Finish	Blue Paisley Flames
Condition	New
Body	Basswood
Neck	Maple, '60s “U”
Fingerboard	Maple, 9.5" Radius
Pickups	Three Specially Designed James Burton Single Coils
Switching	5-Way “Strat-o-Tele” plus S-1
Main Appeal	Exceptionally versatile three-pickup signature Telecaster
Best For	Country, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, roots, blues, Americana and session work
Included	Vintage-Style Tweed Case, Strap and Cable

What's Included?

• Fender James Burton Telecaster – Blue Paisley Flames

• Fender Vintage-Style Tweed Case

• Strap

• Instrument Cable

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every new guitar is checked by the Fair Deal Music team before leaving us.

For the James Burton Telecaster, particular attention is paid to its expanded electronics. We check all three pickups, every position of the five-way selector, the S-1 switching function, Master Volume, Master Tone and output connection to make sure the guitar is operating correctly.

We also assess the tuners, six-saddle bridge, frets, controls and general hardware, along with a visual inspection of the distinctive Blue Paisley Flames finish and gold-plated components.

The guitar is checked and set up before leaving the shop. As with any wooden instrument, setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can affect neck relief and string action.

Why Choose The Fender James Burton Telecaster?

Three Pickups Instead Of The Traditional Two

The biggest difference between this and a conventional Telecaster is immediately visible. Fender gives the James Burton model three specially designed single-coil pickups, providing considerably more tonal flexibility than the usual bridge-and-neck arrangement without moving away from the clarity and attack associated with single coils.

Five-Way “Strat-o-Tele” Switching

The five-way selector provides bridge, neck and three different two-pickup combinations. Particularly interesting is the centre position, which combines the bridge and neck pickups – a familiar Tele sound that would normally occupy the middle position on a standard three-way selector.

This means you can move between classic Tele-style combinations and additional middle-pickup textures without complicated control changes.

S-1 Switching Adds Series Tones

Pressing the S-1 switch introduces series circuitry in selector positions two and four. Series wiring produces a fuller and stronger combined pickup response than the standard parallel arrangement, giving you extra authority for rhythm parts and lead sounds without adding a humbucker.

It is one of the features that turns this guitar from an unusual-looking Tele into a genuinely versatile working instrument.

Substantial '60s “U” Neck

The maple neck uses a '60s “U” profile, which feels fuller in the hand than many modern Fender C shapes. Players who enjoy a neck with a little more substance should find it particularly satisfying for chord work, bends and traditional country-style techniques.

Six-Saddle Hardtail Bridge

Instead of the familiar three-saddle Tele bridge, Fender uses a six-saddle string-through-body hardtail bridge based around a Strat-style design. Each string can be individually adjusted for action and intonation, making accurate setup straightforward.

Blue Paisley Flames And Gold Hardware

Few production Telecasters look like this one. The Blue Paisley Flames finish, gold-plated hardware, pearl tuner buttons and absence of a traditional pickguard create a flamboyant appearance that reflects Burton's long association with eye-catching Paisley Telecasters.

Fender James Burton Telecaster vs Popular Alternatives

Fender Brent Mason Telecaster

The Brent Mason Telecaster is another professional artist model built around a session player's heavily modified Tele. It also uses three pickups, but combines Seymour Duncan mini-humbucker, Hot Stack and Vintage Stack designs with additional controls and a Glaser Bender system. Choose the Brent Mason if B-bender techniques and its specialised Nashville session specification are priorities. Choose the James Burton if you want three traditional-format single coils, five-way Strat-o-Tele switching and the additional series sounds from the S-1 system.

Fender American Professional II Telecaster

The American Professional II takes a more conventional two-pickup Telecaster format and modernises it with V-Mod II pickups, a Deep “C” neck, 22 narrow-tall frets, rolled fingerboard edges and a compensated three-saddle bridge. It is the stronger option if you want a premium modern working Tele without an artist-specific design. The James Burton is substantially more individual, with its three pickups, U neck, gold hardware and specialised switching.

Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster

The American Vintage II '51 goes in the opposite direction, recreating an early blackguard Telecaster with two Pure Vintage '51 pickups, a 7.25-inch radius, three brass saddles and period-inspired construction. Choose the '51 if historical accuracy and classic Tele simplicity are the objective. Choose the James Burton if you want a broader tonal palette and a much more customised interpretation of the Tele platform.

Who Is The Fender James Burton Telecaster For?

The James Burton Telecaster is particularly well suited to:

• Country guitarists

• Rock 'n' roll players

• Rockabilly musicians

• Americana and roots players

• Blues guitarists

• Session musicians

• Players who regularly switch between rhythm and lead roles

• Telecaster fans wanting more pickup combinations

• Guitarists who prefer substantial neck profiles

• Players wanting single-coil clarity without being restricted to two pickups

• James Burton fans

• Collectors of Fender artist-signature instruments

• Guitarists looking for something visually different from a standard Telecaster

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Telecaster, artist-signature guitar or country guitar setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store at our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The James Burton Telecaster naturally excels at country and rock 'n' roll, but its expanded electronics mean it covers considerably more ground than those associations might suggest.

The bridge pickup provides the attack and definition needed for crisp rhythm playing, hybrid picking and cutting lead lines. Moving towards the neck produces rounder sounds for blues, roots and cleaner accompaniment.

The addition of the middle pickup gives you combinations that would normally require a different pickup configuration, making the guitar particularly useful for session work where several contrasting sounds may be needed quickly.

Engaging the S-1 switch in positions two and four provides fuller series combinations that work particularly well when an ordinary parallel single-coil sound needs more body. Add overdrive and these settings can handle stronger rock rhythm and lead work without losing the basic character of the guitar.

How Does Strat-o-Tele Switching Work?

A standard Telecaster normally gives you three choices: bridge pickup, both pickups together and neck pickup. The James Burton model starts with three pickups and a five-way selector, so Fender created a dedicated switching arrangement to make full use of them.

The five positions are:

1. Bridge Pickup

2. Bridge + Middle Pickups

3. Bridge + Neck Pickups

4. Middle + Neck Pickups

5. Neck Pickup

Positions two and four normally use parallel combinations. Press the S-1 switch and those positions gain series circuitry, providing a fuller, stronger alternative.

The result is a Telecaster capable of moving from familiar bridge and neck sounds through additional blended textures without loading the guitar with numerous visible switches.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The James Burton Telecaster uses passive electronics and works with standard guitar amplifiers, pedalboards, modelling systems and recording equipment.

It pairs particularly well with:

Clean valve-style amplifiers – ideal for highlighting pick attack, dynamics and the differences between the five pickup positions.

Compression pedals – useful for country picking, clean rhythm work and controlling dynamic peaks.

Overdrive – lets the fuller S-1 combinations push naturally into rock and blues territory.

Delay – particularly useful for slapback rockabilly, country lead playing and more atmospheric sounds.

Reverb – a natural pairing for traditional country, roots, rock 'n' roll and clean instrumental playing.

Tremolo – useful for vintage-inspired rhythm sounds and Americana.

The supplied tweed case provides proper protection for transport, while the included strap and cable mean several essential accessories are already part of the package.

Story & Context

James Burton is one of the musicians most closely associated with the Telecaster. His highly articulate guitar work with Ricky Nelson during the late 1950s and early 1960s helped establish a style of country-influenced electric playing that would influence generations of guitarists.

Burton later worked extensively with Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello, among many others, building a career in which precise phrasing, rhythmic clarity and unmistakable Telecaster attack became central parts of his musical identity.

Fender describes Burton's instrument as its first signature Telecaster model. Rather than recreating a stock vintage Telecaster, the current James Burton model reflects his preference for a more personalised working guitar, with three specially designed pickups, expanded switching, a fuller U-shaped neck and unmistakable Paisley-inspired visual treatment.

That history is why the James Burton Telecaster is more than an artist name applied to a standard instrument. Its electronics and hardware genuinely differ from a conventional Tele and reflect the requirements of a player whose career depended on versatility, clarity and instantly usable guitar sounds.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	James Burton Telecaster
Model Number	0108602888
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Blue Paisley Flames
Body Shape	Telecaster
Body Material	Basswood
Body Finish	Gloss Urethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	'60s “U”
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	21
Fret Size	Vintage-Style
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Truss Rod	Bi-Flex
Bridge Pickup	Specially Designed James Burton Single Coil
Middle Pickup	Specially Designed James Burton Single Coil
Neck Pickup	Specially Designed James Burton Single Coil
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Switching	5-Position “Strat-o-Tele” Blade
Additional Electronics	S-1 Switch
Bridge	6-Saddle American Series Strings-Through-Body Strat-Style Hardtail with Block Saddles
Hardware Finish	Gold-Plated
Tuning Machines	Deluxe Cast/Sealed with Pearl Buttons
Control Knobs	Knurled Flat-Top
Pickguard	None
Switch Tip	Black
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Standard
Strap Buttons	American Series
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250L Nickel-Plated Steel .009-.042
Case	Vintage-Style Tweed Case
Additional Included Accessories	Strap and Instrument Cable

Specification Note

An exact individual guitar weight has not been supplied, so no estimated weight has been added to this listing.

The unusual three-pickup layout and Strat-o-Tele switching are factory specifications for the James Burton signature model and should not be confused with the switching arrangement of a standard two-pickup Telecaster.

Power Requirements

The Fender James Burton Telecaster uses passive electronics, including its S-1 switching system, so no battery or external power supply is required.

Connect the guitar to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or suitable audio interface using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender James Burton Telecaster is one of the most interesting premium Telecasters for a player who genuinely intends to use a wide variety of sounds rather than simply wanting a cosmetic signature model.

Its three pickups already make it unusually versatile, but the clever part is the switching. The Strat-o-Tele selector keeps everything intuitive, while the S-1 system gives positions two and four an additional fuller series voice when required.

The substantial U neck will especially appeal to players who enjoy having something solid in the fretting hand, and the six-saddle bridge makes accurate setup straightforward.

Then there is the finish. Blue Paisley Flames and gold hardware will not disappear quietly into the background, and that is exactly the point.

Best suited for: Country, roots, rock 'n' roll and session players wanting a highly versatile Telecaster.

Main benefit: A significantly wider range of pickup combinations than a standard two-pickup Tele.

Value proposition: A genuinely specialised Fender artist model with dedicated electronics, premium presentation and a tweed case, strap and cable included.

Standout feature: Five-way Strat-o-Tele switching combined with S-1 series circuitry.

Customers usually upgrade from: Standard Telecasters, Player Series models and other conventional two-pickup electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Clean valve-style amps, compression, overdrive, slapback delay and reverb.

Our tip: Spend time with positions two and four both with and without the S-1 engaged. The series settings are not simply louder versions of the normal combinations – they provide a noticeably fuller tonal option that can be extremely useful when moving from rhythm to lead.

Showroom feedback: The expanded switching is what makes this guitar much more practical than its flamboyant appearance might initially suggest. It can cover traditional Tele territory while providing several useful sounds that a standard Tele simply cannot access.

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.

Our Birmingham showroom is backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand the practical differences between neck profiles, pickup configurations, switching systems and the amplifiers and effects that bring out the best in them.

Whether you're adding a premium artist model to your collection, searching for a professional Telecaster or simply trying to decide which Fender best suits your playing style, we're here to offer friendly, straightforward advice before and after your purchase.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned guitars and musical equipment

For a distinctive premium guitar such as the James Burton Telecaster, you can also request a video demo if you would like a closer look at the individual instrument.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the James Burton Telecaster sound like a normal Telecaster?

It can produce familiar Telecaster-style bridge, neck and bridge-plus-neck combinations, but the extra middle pickup and S-1 switching provide sounds that a conventional two-pickup Tele cannot produce. It is therefore considerably more versatile than a standard Telecaster.

What does the S-1 switch do?

The S-1 switch introduces series wiring in pickup-selector positions two and four. This produces a fuller, stronger combined-pickup response compared with the normal parallel combinations.

Does the S-1 switch require a battery?

No. The switching is completely passive, so there is no battery to maintain or replace.

Is the '60s U neck particularly large?

It has more substance than many modern C-profile Fender necks. Players who prefer a fuller neck are likely to appreciate it, while anyone accustomed to very slim contemporary profiles should expect a noticeably different feel.

Is the James Burton Telecaster suitable for blues and rock?

Yes. Although Burton is strongly associated with country and rock 'n' roll, the bridge and neck sounds work naturally for blues while the fuller S-1 series combinations can be particularly useful with overdrive for rock rhythm and lead work.

Is this a good guitar for hybrid picking?

Yes. The 25.5-inch Fender scale, clear single-coil response and hardtail bridge provide an excellent platform for hybrid picking, chicken picking and other techniques where precise note definition matters.

Can I use heavier strings?

Yes. The factory specification uses .009-.042 strings, but heavier gauges can be fitted. A significant change in string gauge can require adjustments to neck relief, action and intonation.

How does the six-saddle bridge differ from a vintage Tele bridge?

Each string has its own saddle, allowing action and intonation to be adjusted independently. A traditional three-saddle Tele bridge groups strings in pairs, which creates a different feel and appearance but requires compromise or compensated saddles when setting intonation.

Is it suitable for recording?

Very much so. The unusually broad selection of pickup combinations makes it useful when layering guitar tracks because you can create contrasting sounds without changing instruments.

James Burton Telecaster or Brent Mason Telecaster?

Both are highly specialised artist Telecasters aimed at versatile players. The James Burton keeps three dedicated single coils and uses five-way/S-1 switching, while the Brent Mason employs three different Seymour Duncan pickup types, more complex controls and a Glaser Bender. The Burton is the more natural choice if its expanded single-coil Telecaster character is the priority.

The Fender James Burton Telecaster Blue Paisley Flames is a signature guitar with genuine functional differences behind its spectacular appearance. Three pickups, Strat-o-Tele switching and the S-1 system turn the familiar Tele platform into an exceptionally flexible instrument, while the substantial maple neck, gold hardware and Blue Paisley Flames finish give it an unmistakable identity.

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