General
Developed in close collaboration with Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eats World, this rare Telecaster has been based on the original and just as rare Strat-style Fender TC90 semi-hollow guitar that was built in Japan between 2004 and 2005. The Strat shape has been dropped and replaced with a Telecaster shape - simply because that's what Adkins prefers - and due to a few other design features that perform more of a one-eighty rather than a mere twist, this model actually plays and even sounds more like a single-cut LP.
The Fender Jim Adkins JA90 Thinline Telecaster
So while the body and headstock are definitely that of a standard Telecaster, the tone and volume pots look like they've been ripped from the control panel of a vintage Fender amp - just like a seventies Tele Deluxe. Of course, the biggest difference lies under the hood. This is not a guitar for fans of the legendary Tele twang. The shortened scale length, Adjust-O-Matic bridge, anchored tailpiece and two Seymour Duncan Soapbars build a guitar with an entirely unique sound that's able to span full and warm, jazz-worthy tone and thick yet sultry blues. The more raw, higher output of these pickups are even able to back up punk, classic rock and alternative music.
The Sound
The semi-hollow body has been finished with a classic f-hole, giving this guitar an airy and open, character-packed foundation sound with nicely rounded trebles, rich mids and sultry basses, and the Thinline construction doesn't just open up the sound but reduces the weight to support comfy playability. Basically, whether you know who Jim Adkins is or not, his signature model is a singular addition to the Tele family.