“Blazes a trail into new sonic territory”: Fender gives the Cabronita Telecaster a radical mini-humbucker revamp by loading the Gretsch/Fender hybrid with new high-end pickups
The Big F has given the quirky Tele a tonal overhaul by swapping the hi-fo Fidelitrons for DiMarzio pickups
(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender has introduced the limited-edition American Professional II Cabronita Telecaster, which gives the Big F’s left-field single-cut a fairly drastic makeover.
The Cabronita is one of Fender’s quirkier electric guitar options. First introduced in 2009 by the Fender Custom Shop, La Cabronita began life as a made to order custom model, before a fully fledged US run was later introduced in 2011.
Since then, the Cabronita has been a regular player in the Telecaster department, having been further popularized by Fender’s Mexican-made Classic Series.
However, in the decade since it’s been released, the core Cabronita spec sheet has been relatively static, offering a pair of TV Jones, Filtertron-style Fidelitron pickups that are more often associated with Gretsch guitars.
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(Image credit: Fender Japan)
(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Now, Fender has decided to inject some new tonal options into the Cabronita by equipping the American Professional II model with a pair of DiMarzio Vintage Minibucker pickups.
Safe to say it’s a rather radical departure from the original design. While Cabronitas of yesteryears focused on hi-fi treble-y tones a lá Gretsch builds, this new model sets its sights on delivering a more orthodox pickup tone that, according to DiMarzio, “excels at clean, country sounds, but also shines with extreme levels of amp gain”.
It’s a refreshing change, and one that’s been further reflected in the new-look colorways: Crimson Transparent and Shoreline Gold.
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(Image credit: Fender Japan)
(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Aside from the new look and fresh pickups, the American Professional II Cabronita retains the model’s core spec sheet, meaning it has a hardtail six-saddle bridge and a control layout that features a sole volume knob and three-way switch.
It also has the mini pickguard, which is strapped to a mahogany body. A mahogany neck with a 12” radius rosewood fingerboard also makes the cut.
The American Professional II Cabronita Telecaster will be rolled out as part of a global limited edition release, and is currently available from a handful of European retailers. Guitar World has been told they will be available in US retailers in the coming months.
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
