Review: Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe

Chris Shiflett is the guitarist’s guitarist. Hosting a show called Shred with Shifty on his YouTube channel, Shiflett interviews the biggest and baddest guitarists of our time with all the curiosity and passion of the nerdiest of guitar nerds. Recently he sat down with fellow shred-heads and bandmates Dave Grohl and Pat Smear to reveal the secret herbs and spices that make up the extra-crispy Foo Fighters guitar symphony. During the 53 minute video, we’re gifted with several Foo Fighters licks. Harmonising with Grohl’s hollow-body and Smear’s custom double-cut Kessel prototype, the tone from Shiflet’s new signature Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe slices through the mix like a gleaming blade. 

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This guitar cleaved right through all of my preconceived ideas about what a Tele should be capable of. With its deep, Dakota Red satin nitrocellulose finish, pearl block inlays, big headstock and custom pickguard evoking Erik’s mask from the Phantom of the Opera, the instrument looks, feels and sounds like it belongs in a stadium in front of tens of thousands of sweaty, screaming rockers with their horns in the air. Previously available strictly as a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Artist model, the Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe is now coming to a guitar shop near you.

The Chris Shiflett Cleaver comes nestled in a classic hardshell case in a very 1970s shade of light brown leather, with gold latches and white stitching and sporting Shiflett’s signature in white on the front. That signature, incidentally, is also printed on the back of the headstock. A friendly reminder that you’re Shredding with Shifty. When you open the case, your senses are hit with a one-two-punch: first by a woozy whiff of nitrocellulose lacquer, and then by the blazing orange crushed-velvet lining. In this context the crimson Cleaver looks like a murder weapon on display in a macabre museum. Case candy includes a vintage leather strap, leather pouch with certificate of authenticity, and an allen key for adjusting the truss rod.

Fender Telecaster Deluxe

The Cleaver is made in the USA, guaranteeing the finest craftsmanship money can buy in a Fender guitar. Fitted with a 25.5” scale maple neck, a smooth 12” radius rosewood fretboard (a slab board, no less!), and 21 medium-jumbo frets, it indulges all the fiddly-widdly technical leads you can throw at it. The neck feels fast yet substantial, with just enough heft to grip without sacrificing speed. Whether you’re bending high notes for an anthemic solo or laying down a gallopy riff, the guitar responds to your every intention with a voice of stunning precision.The deep belly cut in the back of the alder body means even the most impressive of beer-guts won’t get in the way. There’s a vibe of vintage class in the finer details, like the “F” style tuners, ‘72 Telecaster knobs, pearl block inlays, custom pickguard, bone nut, and string-through body hardtail bridge with Fender American Vintage saddles. I particularly enjoyed the way the input jack cup was recessed into the body of the guitar, which made me feel a little more locked-in and secure. Because there’s nothing worse than losing your lead during a show.

P-90 pickups

What truly sets the Cleaver apart, however, are the dual Custom Chris Shiflett “Cleaver” Noiseless CS-90 pickups, designed in collaboration with resident Fender pickup legend Tim Shaw. The P-90 style pickups produce some of the juiciest, snappiest, most percussive and harmonically rich tones I’ve heard from any single-coil pickup in any Fender guitar. As an added bonus, they’re noiseless, which means you get all the warm, full-bodied punch of a traditional P-90 single-coil without the dreaded 60-cycle hum. They excel at everything from glassy cleans to snarling overdriven tones, with a midrange presence and pristine articulation that effortlessly cuts through even the busiest of mixes. Whether you’re strumming delicate, shimmery chords or digging in with chunky palm muted chugs, the Cleaver maintains clarity and punch, giving it a versatility across genres and providing the perfect foundation for those ethereal, shimmery chords we know and love in Foo Fighters records. The tone selector switch is 3-way (bridge, bridge/neck, neck), and each pickup has its own individual tone and volume pot for maximum control over your tones. I was able to create some really interesting dark tones by dialling a little crunch into my amp, sitting on the neck pick up and backing off the tone and volume a little. Honestly though, it’s a tube overdrive in the bridge position where this guitar really finds the pocket. When a guitar chugs well, you can’t wipe the grin off my face. My cheeks are very sore today.

For those who have been dreaming of a new go-to for P-90s, with a supremely versatile sound and rugged good looks (but like the guitar’s namesake!), the Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe is that instrument. It’s a shining example of what a signature guitar can and should be—an extension of the artist who designed it, and yet versatile enough to feel at home in anyone’s hands. Whether or not you’re a Foo Fighters devotee, this axe is an essential addition to your guitar family. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s ready to rock.

For local enquiries, keep reading at Fender Music Australia.