The Fender Bullet was first introduced in 1981 as a line of “student” guitars to replace the outgoing Mustang and Musicmaster models. They were designed by John Page and built in the U.S.
The Bullet went through various design changes before the U.S. made version was discounted in 1983. Production of the Bullet range then moved to Japan, under the Squier name, and then Korea. Squier introduced a new Chinese-made Bullet Stratocaster in 2005. By 2015, Fender was using the Squier Bullet name as a line of their lowest-priced guitars.
Fender initially marketed two models in 1981, the "Bullet" and the "Bullet Deluxe. They had a single cutaway body style similar to that of the Fender Telecaster, but they were a bit smaller—closer in size to the Mustang and Musicmaster that the Bullet replaced. Offered in two colors, red and ivory. They had a 21-fret maple neck with rosewood or maple fretboard, Telecaster-style headstock, and Kluson Deluxe tuners. The Bullet Deluxe had a plastic pickguard with a separate, traditional hardtail bridge while the standard model featured a steel pickguard-bridge-tailpiece combo. Both models had two single coil pickups with a three-way selector switch.
The version featured here is the standard model with the metal pickguard and built in bridge-tailpiece combo.
The smaller sized telecaster body is great. It is a solid, nice piece of wood. The two single coil pickups have flat alnico magnets and closed covers. The sound and output of the pickups is pretty typical for Fender single coils from the early 80’s.
The metal pickguard-bridge-tail piece is a unique design that didn’t last very long. It was likely first tested as a way to reduce costs, but by 1982 the pickguard was replaced with a plastic one and a top loader Fender bridge was added. Having the metal saddles integrated with the pickguard gives it a pretty bright, glassy tone. It definitely cuts through the mix and produces a nice twangy sound.. Great for country or even funk.
The real star on these guitars however is the neck. It feels like a 58 Telecaster, D shape with rosewood fretboard. I can’t get over how comfortable it is. It’s kind of big.. and kind of awesome. The first time I played the Bullet, I wanted to take the neck off the guitar and put it on my Telecaster Standard body, but I just couldn’t bring myself to “part out” the guitar. I have a feeling many a Bullet met their fate that way unfortunately.
If you like Fenders, this is a definite must have for your collection. They’re still pretty affordable for an American made, 44 year old guitar, totally unique and a lot of fun to play.