Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups Review: A Pro-Level Instrument at a Mid-Range Price?

If you have been playing guitar for any length of time, you know the “dead zone” of the market. You have moved past your first $100 starter kit, and you are looking for something that feels like a real instrument, yet you aren’t quite ready to drop two thousand dollars on a custom-shop masterpiece. I have spent decades chasing that “unicorn” guitar—the one that offers premium hardware, a stable neck, and versatile electronics without requiring a second mortgage. When we first encountered the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups, we were skeptical. On paper, it boasts features usually reserved for guitars triple its price. However, in the world of online guitar sales, “specs” can sometimes be a mask for poor craftsmanship. Solving this dilemma is crucial because a sub-par instrument at the intermediate stage can actually stifle your growth, leading to frustration with tuning instability and dull tones. We took it upon ourselves to see if this blue beauty is the real deal or just another shiny lookalike.

Choosing Your Next Solid Body Electric Guitar: What You Need to Know

A Solid Body Electric Guitar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for players looking to explore a vast landscape of genres, from jazz and blues to high-gain metal. Unlike hollow or semi-hollow bodies, a solid body mahogany or alder construction provides the sustain and feedback resistance needed for modern amplification. The ideal customer for this type of product is an intermediate player who has outgrown their entry-level gear or a professional looking for a reliable, high-spec “workhorse” for gigging. It might not be suitable for those who strictly play acoustic folk or those who demand a specific vintage brand name on the headstock for prestige alone. If you are looking for a classic experience, you might see its full feature set and user reviews to see how modern innovations have changed the game.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Body Materials & Wood Selection: The choice of wood significantly impacts the weight and resonance of the instrument. Mahogany is prized for its warm, mid-forward character and sustain, making it a favorite for rock and blues. When paired with a maple neck, you get a balanced “snap” that helps notes cut through a mix. Always look for “quartersawn” or “roasted” maple for the neck, as these processes significantly increase stability against humidity changes.
• Pickup Configuration (HSS vs. SSS): Your pickups are the “microphones” of your guitar. An HSS (Humbucker-Single-Single) configuration, like the one found on the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups, offers the most versatility. You get the bell-like chime of single coils in the neck and middle, but the power of a humbucker in the bridge for heavy riffs.
• Hardware Quality (Tuners & Bridge): This is where budget guitars usually fail. Low-quality tuners result in constant retuning, while a cheap bridge can ruin your intonation. Look for name-brand components like Grover tuners and Wilkinson bridges. These parts ensure that once you are in tune, you stay there, even with heavy tremolo use.
• Neck Profile & Playability: A “Modern C” profile is the industry standard for a reason—it fits most hand sizes comfortably. Furthermore, pay attention to the neck joint; a deeply sculpted heel allows your hand to reach the 22nd fret without the body of the guitar getting in the way. This is essential for lead players who need full access to the fretboard.

While the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Aesthetics, Unboxing, and That Roasted Maple Glow

When we first pulled the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups out of its protective packaging, the visual impact was immediate. The metallic blue finish is deep and lustrous, catching the light in a way that photographs rarely do justice. But the real star of the show is the roasted quartersawn maple neck. It has a beautiful caramel hue that suggests a vintage instrument, and the satin finish feels incredibly fast under the thumb. We’ve seen “budget” guitars with rough fret ends and dull finishes, but this Fesley arrived looking like it belonged in a glass case. Before you even plug it in, you can explore the current pricing options and realize that the visual quality alone punches way above its weight class.

The Deep Dive: Performance Analysis of the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups

Versatility Redefined: The Wilkinson HSS Configuration and Coil-Split

In our testing, the sonic versatility of the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups was the standout feature. The HSS configuration is often called the “Swiss Army Knife” of guitars, and Fesley has executed it brilliantly here. The Wilkinson single coils in the neck and middle positions deliver that classic, glassy “quack” that Strat-style lovers crave. We found that the neck pickup, in particular, has a lovely warmth that is perfect for bluesy lead lines. However, the real magic happens at the bridge. The Wilkinson humbucker is meaty and aggressive, capable of handling high-gain distortion without turning into a muddy mess.

What truly elevates this instrument is the push-push switch for the coil split. Most guitars in this price range use a push-pull pot, which can be difficult to grab mid-solo. The push-push mechanism on the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups is much faster and more intuitive. Engaging the split turns the bridge humbucker into a single coil, giving you access to those thin, funky “Position 2” tones that are essential for Nile Rodgers-style rhythm work. We spent hours cycling through genres—from country twang to heavy metal—and this guitar never felt out of place. It is a feature that really sets it apart from the sea of standard clones.

The “Pro” Neck: Quartersawn Roasted Maple and Grover Precision

We need to talk about the neck because it is, quite frankly, the best we have felt on a guitar under $500. Fesley uses quartersawn maple, which means the grain runs vertically through the neck. This makes the wood much stronger and less prone to “twisting” over time. Adding the roasting process (torrefaction) removes moisture and impurities, making the neck incredibly stable. In our studio, which fluctuates in humidity, the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups held its tune remarkably well while other guitars needed daily truss rod tweaks.

This stability is bolstered by the inclusion of genuine Grover tuners. If you have ever played a cheap guitar where the tuners feel “mushy” or have dead spots, you will appreciate the 18:1 gear ratio here. Tuning is precise and holds firm even when you are digging into heavy bends. We confirmed this through our own rigorous testing and echoed the sentiments of many long-term players who noted that the tuning stability is “awesome” and “pro-level.” When you combine the satin-finished Modern C profile with these high-end tuners, you get a playing experience that feels expensive. You can check the latest price and availability to see just how accessible this pro-level hardware has become.

Ergonomics and Upper Fret Access: Designed for Players

One of the biggest complaints with traditional “S-Style” guitars is the bulky rectangular neck plate that makes reaching the 21st or 22nd fret a chore. Fesley solved this by using a deeply sculpted body contour at the neck joint. When we were running through high-speed scales at the top of the neck, our palms didn’t hit the “wall” of the body. This level of ergonomic thought is usually found on “boutique” modern super-strats. The mahogany body is also surprisingly well-balanced; at 7.82 pounds, it has enough heft to feel substantial and resonant, but it isn’t a “back-breaker” during a long practice session.

The 2-point synchronized tremolo bridge by Wilkinson is another highlight. Unlike older 6-screw designs, the 2-point system pivots on two studs, providing a much smoother action and better return-to-pitch. We did a series of “dive bombs” and subtle vibrato flutters, and the guitar stayed remarkably close to pitch. For intermediate players looking to expand their technique into vibrato and expressive lead work, the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups provides a reliable platform that won’t punish you with constant retuning. You can view the stunning blue metallic finish and see the hardware layout that makes this all possible.

The Reality Check: Setup and Out-of-the-Box Experience

While we are glowing about the components and build quality, we must be honest about the “out-of-the-box” experience. Like many guitars that are shipped across the ocean and sit in warehouses, the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups will almost certainly require a setup. In our test unit, the action was slightly high, and the neck had a bit too much relief (bow). This isn’t a “flaw” in the guitar’s construction, but rather a reality of wood responding to environmental changes. We had to tighten the truss rod and lower the saddles slightly to get that “plays itself” feel.

For this reason, we agree with some users who caution absolute beginners. If you don’t know how to turn an Allen wrench or don’t have a local shop to do a basic setup, you might find the initial playability a bit stiff. However, once that adjustment is made, the guitar transforms. The frets themselves were well-polished with no sharp ends, which is a common issue at this price point. We recommend budget-conscious buyers factor in an extra $50 for a professional setup, or better yet, use this as an opportunity to learn basic guitar maintenance. Once dialed in, the value proposition is unbeatable.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment surrounding the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups is one of genuine shock. Many seasoned guitarists, some with over 40 or 50 years of experience, have noted that this guitar “can hang with” instruments costing five times as much. One veteran player mentioned that after 47 years of playing, they were “blown away” by the quality, specifically noting that after a quick string change and action adjustment, it “pretty much plays itself.” This confirms our finding that the bones of this guitar are elite, even if the final factory setup is hit-or-miss.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. Some users have pointed out that for a parent buying for a child who has never held a guitar, the initial setup hurdles might be a “no.” There were also reports of the pickups being “very loud and inconsistent” out of the box, which we attribute to the factory pickup height settings. As one expert user noted, it’s a “mixed bag of good and bad” only if you expect a perfect custom-shop experience for a fraction of the cost. The overwhelming majority, however, agree that it is “the best value electric guitar on the market right now.” We found that those who understand the basics of guitar maintenance are the ones who are most impressed by the Fesley’s potential. You can discover why players are switching to this model by reading the full spectrum of user experiences.

Comparing the Fesley to Top Alternatives

To give you the best perspective, we’ve compared the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups to three other popular models available online. Each offers a different flavor of the solid-body experience.

1. Fender Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Electric Guitar

The Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster is a legendary choice for those who want a vintage-accurate experience. Unlike the modern HSS configuration of the Fesley, the Telecaster offers a strictly traditional SS layout. If you are looking for that specific “Tele twang” and a thicker, vintage-gloss neck, the Squier is an excellent choice. However, it lacks the ergonomic heel and the high-performance Wilkinson bridge found on the Fesley. We recommend the Classic Vibe for purists, while the Fesley is the better choice for players who want modern versatility and easier upper-fret access.

2. Fender Squier Affinity Telecaster Electric Guitar

The Affinity Series is the more budget-friendly sibling to the Classic Vibe. It features a thinner body and a more modern neck profile, making it very comfortable for smaller players. However, when compared to the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups, the Affinity falls short in the hardware department. The tuners are standard Squier units (non-Grover), and it lacks the premium roasted maple neck. For a few extra dollars, the Fesley provides significantly better components that you won’t feel the need to “upgrade” six months down the line.

3. enya Inspire 39′ Smart Electric Guitar with Speaker

The Enya Inspire is a completely different beast, aimed at the tech-savvy modern player. With its carbon fiber construction and built-in speaker/effects, it is the ultimate “grab and go” practice tool. While the Enya wins on innovation and portability, the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups is the superior choice for traditionalists who value the resonance of mahogany and the organic feel of a real roasted maple neck. If you plan on gigging with a traditional tube amp, the Fesley’s Wilkinson pickups will provide a more authentic, “alive” tone than the digital processing of the Enya.

The Final Verdict: A Diamond in the Rough for the Modern Guitarist

After weeks of testing and comparing, we have come to a firm conclusion: the Fesley 39′ Electric Guitar with Wilkinson Pickups is a disruptor. It offers a combination of roasted maple, mahogany, Grover tuners, and Wilkinson electronics that was unheard of at this price point just a few years ago. While it does require a bit of “elbow grease” in the form of a proper setup, the foundation of the instrument is rock solid. It is beautiful to look at, comfortable to play, and sonically versatile enough to cover almost any genre.

We recommend this guitar wholeheartedly to intermediate players who want a high-spec instrument for a bargain, as well as pro players who need a reliable backup or a project guitar that already has the “good parts” installed. If you are willing to spend twenty minutes with an Allen wrench, you will be rewarded with a guitar that looks, feels, and sounds like it costs four times as much. Do not let the price tag fool you—this is a serious musical instrument. You can secure yours today and experience the quality firsthand while they are still available at this incredible value.