Telecaster

[MrDowntown]

Gentlemen, and degenerates alike....
for no other reason than i have never owned one, and i want one, i'm considering getting a telecaster.

i like the look of a double bound body. anyone with experience or knowledge of what the better option is/may be for this style/look?
the Custom shop....likely out of my $$
the USA made ones (not CS), may be the way to go
the Japan made ones (?)...look good, not sure of the quality
the Squire classic Vibes 60 look the part for sure, and often times these can be a steal.

hope all you folks are getting along and dong well!

MDT

 

[CoreyW]

Tele’s are a lot like Strats, you just need to run the racks and find the one that speaks to you.

They are also a rabbit hole of their own, from bridge style to pick up configuration, and maple vs rosewood. The purists will tell you it’s not a real tele if it doesn’t have barrel saddles vs individual saddles.

I’ve got a JW Vann tele, private builder from KY, it’s a fantastic guitar, however I am not a tele player I find them pretty uncomfortable, but they do have a sound that makes them worth keeping one around.

 

[67mike]

I have tried to get along with teles and no luck. I have bought and sold 4 of them.

For a simple guitar they are finicky imho.

I would try some in your local shops. You might be surprised by a more affordable version.

Wait untill you go down the swap pickups and bridge rabbit-hole.......fun stuff.

 

[sandman]

Teles are great. Simple effective workhorses. Definitely try before buying if you can to pick one that really seems to call your name. I have a Fender and a Nash but have wanted to build one from parts for awhile. Musikraft, Warmoth etc…worth a shot to build something nice and save money

 

[cardinal]

Depends on the fret size and radius you want.

I love how Teles look but the ergonomics don't for me. Because of the body shape compared to a Strat, when it's on a strap: the guitar is shifted pretty far to the left which I found made for a long stretch to the first fret, and they have a tendency to neck dive a bit.

 

[ewill52]

Telecasters are great! i've got a MIJ double-bound. It's a fantastic guitar but when you come from the world of shred guitars, you have to prepare yourself for a more vintage experience lol. I've got newer teles as well, and as someone stated above, it's going to come down to playing a bunch. The newer Ultra\Ultra ii's have some really nice modern appointments - more modern body contours, compound radius, improved access neck joint, etc and good deals are out there on the used ones.

 

[MrDowntown]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

 

[MrDowntown]

Telecasters are great! i've got a MIJ double-bound. It's a fantastic guitar but when you come from the world of shred guitars, you have to prepare yourself for a more vintage experience lol. I've got newer teles as well, and as someone stated above, it's going to come down to playing a bunch. The newer Ultra\Ultra ii's have some really nice modern appointments - more modern body contours, compound radius, improved access neck joint, etc and good deals are out there on the used ones.

…curious what you’d consider a good deal on the ultras? Ive seen a few around

 

[DanTravis62]

Dude, make a partscaster.

There is literally no reason to buy a bolt-on in that price range if you have ANY guitar setup skills, unless its something where the setup IS the product like a suhr or tyler

 

[ewill52]

…curious what you’d consider a good deal on the ultras? Ive seen a few around

Musicians Friend\GC have quite a few floating around the $1500 price point, Ultra ii's are a little more. I don't know what the magic number is for GC, but i'd shoot my shot at $1300 and see what happens lol

 

[messenger]

Not DOUBLE bound but it’s an awesome tele

 

[ners]

MIA Tele is my number one, highly recommend one if you're looking for something that's not humbuckers. Extremely versatile and holds tune better than any other guitar I own (including my Floyd for some reason).

I'd agree a partscaster is the way to go if you know when fretboard radius you like/etc.

Also I'm a huge believer that anything that doesn't have an actual single coil Tele pickup is not a real tele. Barrel saddles also the way to go.

 

[DanTravis62]

MIA Tele is my number one, highly recommend one if you're looking for something that's not humbuckers. Extremely versatile and holds tune better than any other guitar I own (including my Floyd for some reason).

I'd agree a partscaster is the way to go if you know when fret aird radius you like/etc.

Also I'm a huge believe that anything that doesn't have an actual single coil Tele pickup is not a real tele. Barrel saddles also the way to go.

To piggy back on this, i would find a MIA tele neck that you like, from whatever era, and then grab that and a warmoth body with double binding - the sky is truly the limit with teles as they are incredibly easy to put together and set up

 

[MrDowntown]

Dude, make a partscaster.

There is literally no reason to buy a bolt-on in that price range if you have ANY guitar setup skills, unless its something where the setup IS the product like a suhr or tyler

bro...you're zeal excites me

your faith in my abilities however...this is both humbling and funny!

i'm a born & bred DIY'r...my dad raised me that way.
but...with age comes wisdom.
the cost of a diy... lets see, after buying the parts, probably twice after i break some all-important fuq'n Johnson-rod, then some tools that aren't a framers hammer or bag of tapcons... .and of course the booze needed to see my way through what is likely an arduous process (to me) of which i have no patience for...lest we forget the cussing. there's no charge for that really, other than working my BP upward.

"sigh" so, i'll consider it!

 

[DanTravis62]

bro...you're zeal excites me

your faith in my abilities however...this is both humbling and funny!

i'm a born & bred DIY'r...my dad raised me that way.
but...with age comes wisdom.
the cost of a diy... lets see, after buying the parts, probably twice after i break some all-important fuq'n Johnson-rod, then some tools that aren't a framers hammer or bag of tapcons... .and of course the booze needed to see my way through what is likely an arduous process (to me) of which i have no patience for...lest we forget the cussing. there's no charge for that really, other than working my BP upward.

"sigh" so, i'll consider it!

If that's the case... looks for a nice partcaster with specs you like used?

I've built multiple double bound tele partscasters (as I really like the look too) and moved them on over the years.... probably pretty easy to find a good one.

 

[Maarcn3]

USA Fenders are the best choice if you want top build and tone.

 

[MrDowntown]

If that's the case... looks for a nice partcaster with specs you like used?

I've built multiple double bound tele partscasters (as I really like the look too) and moved them on over the years.... probably pretty easy to find a good one.

I’ve always wanted to do my own build…so I did go to Warmoth last night for the grits & giggles…went through the motions of building a neck and body. It’s exciting for sure!

This may be something I put off til spring /summer actually. My time is so limited right now.

 

[rsm]

it's your money.

 

[MrDowntown]

we’ll see what we’ve got in a few days I guess.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Or, you could go crazy and get yourself a PRS NF53 like me.