I really wanted to get an acoustasonic tele after watching a demo shortly after they first came out. It seemed to check all the boxes for me. It's basically a whole rack of various acoustic guitars geared for an electric player. And it's also an acoustic guitar that with the flip of a switch can have you playing a screaming lead through a bridge single coil. Best of all....it's still a Tele!!
I've picked them up in stores (both the tele and strat versions) and found they felt very good and even sounded good acoustically. (Making for a really great late night couch guitar that doesn't wake up the rest of the house!!) So, I figured I'd just wait it out and buy a used one at some point down the road when the novelty wore off for someone else. Turns out, years later, there aren't really any resale bargains to be found with these. (I basically did the same thing again later w/ the Fender Electric XII "alternate reality" reissue. Shooting myself in the foot....again!! Now you can't even find one anywhere!! ) Fender really have been doing some wonderful innovative things in recent years.
here's the description of the 5 position switch and blender/mode knob voicings. (a serious arsenal in one guitar!)
Total tonal adjustment
The Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster has familiar-looking controls, but they do more than any other acoustic/electric guitar. They give control over five discreet voice pairs – a curated collection of acoustic and electric voices that can be played solo or blended via the Mod Knob to create infinite combinations. Position 5 is with the Voice Selector closest to the neck; Position 1 is furthest away. The ‘A’ voice is with the Mod Knob fully counter-clockwise; the ‘B’ voice is fully clockwise.
Position 5
A: Sitka Spruce/Rosewood Dreadnought—Deep bass meets strident trebles for a traditional acoustic voice. Great for big, bold strumming.
B: Alpine Spruce/Rosewood Auditorium—Tighter and brighter for a more modern/pop sound and a detailed midrange perfect for strumming or fingerstyle.
Position 4
A: Engelmann Spruce/Maple Small-Body—Intimate, parlor-inspired voice that’s articulate and bright, best for delicate playing.
B: Sitka Spruce/Mahogany Dreadnought—Full midrange with a deep bass voice that works well for rootsy strumming or fingerstyle.
Position 3
A: Sitka Spruce/Brazilian Rosewood Dreadnought—Rich and earthy with complex overtones.
B: Adds body pickup to the above voice (up to a predetermined maximum blend)—All of the above, plus a percussive top and enhanced harmonics that pop.
Position 2
A: Sitka Spruce/Mahogany Dreadnought—Full-bodied, no nonsense acoustic that’s earthy and articulate with a wide dynamic range.
B: Blends electric pickup to the above voice (predetermined semi-clean voice)—A rich acoustic rhythm sound meets Fender’s electric tone – when you really want to drive the band.
Position 1
A: Fender Electric Clean—You won’t believe your acoustic guitar can do this.
B: Fender Electric Fat/Semi-Clean—You really won’t believe your acoustic guitar can do this.
***The Mexican made "player series" version only has a 3 position switch, 3 instead of 7 acoustic voicings, and only has 2 instead of the domestic's 3 pickups. Hence the big price drop, as a lot of what you're paying for here are the electronics.
Watch some demo vids of the acoustic voicings....pretty damn impressive IMHO.