Fender

    American Ultra Telecaster2023

    The American Ultra Telecaster brings the same upgraded feel as the Ultra Stratocaster to the Tele shape, Modern D neck, compound-radius board, and a tapered heel and body contours for easier reach up the neck.

    10 mods reviewed: 5 drop-in, 4 need modification, 1 not compatible.

    Fender American Ultra Telecaster guitar

    The American Ultra Telecaster brings the same upgraded feel as the Ultra Stratocaster to the Tele shape, Modern D neck, compound-radius board, and a tapered heel and body contours for easier reach up the neck. Its Ultra Noiseless pickups use stacked coils to cancel hum while staying in a standard Tele-footprint route, and the patented S-1 switch adds a series wiring option beyond the stock 3-way selector.

    Quick facts

    Tailpiece

    None (bridge-integrated, string-through)

    String spacing

    54mm (2-1/8")

    Scale length

    25.5" (648mm)

    Not published by Fender: tuner hole size and bridge mounting spacing. Measure these before buying tuners or a bridge.

    We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It doesn't change the price you pay. How we make money

    Bridge

    4 options, 1 that doesn't fit
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Fender 6-Saddle Telecaster Hardtail Bridge, Standard Spacing

    Requires modification

    This bridge uses the traditional 4-screw mounting pattern. This guitar uses Fender's newer 3-screw pattern, so new holes would need to be drilled, not a straight swap.

    Why we say this

    This bridge is consistently listed as compatible across Player-tier and Squier CV Telecasters, indicating a 4-screw vintage-compatible mount. American Ultra Telecasters use the 3-screw American Standard/Deluxe/Elite/Ultra mounting pattern instead, a genuinely different, non-interchangeable screw layout confirmed by Fender's own parts documentation (their dedicated 3-screw 6-saddle bridge is sold as a separate, specifically-named "American Series" product). Fitting this bridge means drilling new holes.

    Help confirm this fit

    See current price at Amazon

    View at Amazon
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Gotoh BS-TC1S In-Tune Telecaster Bridge

    Requires modification

    This bridge uses the traditional 4-screw mounting pattern. This guitar uses Fender's newer 3-screw pattern, so new holes would need to be drilled, not a straight swap.

    Why we say this

    This bridge is consistently listed as compatible across Player-tier and Squier CV Telecasters, indicating a 4-screw vintage-compatible mount. American Ultra Telecasters use the 3-screw American Standard/Deluxe/Elite/Ultra mounting pattern instead, a genuinely different, non-interchangeable screw layout confirmed by Fender's own parts documentation (their dedicated 3-screw 6-saddle bridge is sold as a separate, specifically-named "American Series" product). Fitting this bridge means drilling new holes.

    Help confirm this fit

    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Joe Barden Telecaster Bridge Plate

    Requires modification

    This bridge uses the traditional 4-screw mounting pattern. This guitar uses Fender's newer 3-screw pattern, so new holes would need to be drilled, not a straight swap.

    Why we say this

    This bridge is consistently listed as compatible across Player-tier and Squier CV Telecasters, indicating a 4-screw vintage-compatible mount. American Ultra Telecasters use the 3-screw American Standard/Deluxe/Elite/Ultra mounting pattern instead, a genuinely different, non-interchangeable screw layout confirmed by Fender's own parts documentation (their dedicated 3-screw 6-saddle bridge is sold as a separate, specifically-named "American Series" product). Fitting this bridge means drilling new holes.

    Help confirm this fit

    Wilkinson WTB Telecaster Bridge

    Wilkinson WTB Telecaster Bridge

    Requires modification

    This bridge uses the older 4-screw mounting pattern. This guitar uses Fender's newer 3-screw pattern, so new holes would need to be drilled, not a straight swap.

    Why we say this

    This is a vintage-style 4-screw mount 3-saddle bridge. American Ultra Telecasters use the 3-screw American Standard/Deluxe/Elite/Ultra mounting pattern, a genuinely different, non-interchangeable screw layout confirmed by Fender's own parts documentation. Fitting this bridge means drilling new holes.

    Help confirm this fit

    See current price at Amazon

    View at Amazon

    Pickup

    3 options
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Fender Gen 4 Noiseless Telecaster Pickup Set

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    Fits the standard Tele single-coil route. You will need to solder it in.

    Why we say this

    Standard Telecaster single-coil route and mounting for both neck and bridge positions, no different from any other SS Telecaster.

    £179.00 at Andertons

    View at Andertons
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Telecaster Pickup Set

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    Fits the standard Tele single-coil route. A more classic, vintage-voiced alternative to the stock noiseless pickups. You will need to solder it in.

    Why we say this

    Standard Telecaster single-coil route. A vintage-voiced alternative to the stock Ultra Noiseless pickups for players who want more of the classic hum and all.

    See current price at Reverb

    View at Reverb
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Seymour Duncan JB Jr. for Tele (Bridge)

    Likely drop-in
    Soldering

    A genuine humbucker squeezed into the stock Tele bridge slot, for players who want humbucker output without routing the body. Bridge position only. Needs soldering.

    Why we say this

    A true dual-coil humbucker built into a single-coil-sized housing, drops into the standard Tele bridge single-coil route without any body routing. Bridge position only, does not replace the neck pickup.

    See current price at Amazon

    View at AmazonAlso at Andertons.

    Tuner

    2 options
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Graph Tech Ratio Machine Heads (6-in-line, Staggered)

    Likely drop-in

    These tuners use an included adapter plate built specifically for this guitar's two-pin mounting pattern, so the mounting itself is a confirmed fit, not a guess.

    Why we say this

    This guitar's factory tuners use Fender's dual guide pin mounting, specific to the American Elite and Ultra series. Graph Tech sells InvisoMatch adapter plates purpose-built for exactly this two-pin pattern, marketed explicitly as fitting Fender guitars with modern two-pin mounting, and Ratio sets ship with a selection of InvisoMatch plates included rather than sold separately. This resolves the mounting question directly rather than relying on bore diameter alone.

    See current price at Amazon

    View at Amazon
    Illustration, photo coming soon

    Fender Locking Strat/Tele All Short Post Tuning Machine Set

    Likely drop-in

    Fender's own genuine replacement tuner set for this guitar's exact hardware family, including the correct mounting for the factory setup.

    Why we say this

    This is Fender's own genuine replacement part for this exact hardware, explicitly listed by Fender as used on American Elite and Ultra Series guitars, including the dual guide pin mounting this guitar's stock tuners already use.

    This page has 4 open questions

    If you have fitted any of these to this Fender American Ultra Telecaster, tell us what you found and we'll update the data.