Members Guitar_Dan Posted October 30, 2011 Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 Hi Guys, Looking at getting a tele, but not sure what would be the most suitable. Have around $1000 - $1500 US dollars to spend, no humbuckers just single coils, has to be a Fender, what do you recommend for that budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wagdog Posted October 30, 2011 Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 Top end MiM, baja or 50's roadworn. AmStd in natural is a favorite of mine, or the 60'th anniversary tele: http://www.fender.com/products/60th-tele It's a tele - they are all more alike then they are different... imo of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted October 30, 2011 Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 Are you going to import? Remember we are fine up to 1000aus not including shipping. You could get a MIA standard of a recent year for 700 with shipping at about 150. I have bought from musiciansfriend in their used section (all mine were like brand new, condition A and B) for a good discount with reasonable shipping too. Look for coupon codes for additional savings. I like the baja as the neck is bigger. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar_Dan Posted October 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 Hi Billybilly, yeah I know about the $1000 limit, I've paid numerous funds to customs on all my guitars lol. Me and my dad have a guy we use in San Diego that looks after us well, we have got all our gear from him. Sure beats Alans music. I didn't think about used, might be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twotimingpete Posted October 30, 2011 Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 if I wanted to spend that much on a tele I'd just grab an american standard and be done with it. I don't know if "no humbuckers" precludes the models with a neckbucker, such as this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-american-vintage-72-telecaster-custom-electric-guitar the signature tele sound is primarily found in the bridge single, which this has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poolshark Posted October 30, 2011 Members Share Posted October 30, 2011 You can pick up '52 Reissues or '52 Hotrods for $1000-1500 all day long, used or new. Way more traditional 'Telecaster' than an American Standard, and in my experience, significantly better quality than MIM offerings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members STRANDMAN Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Whatever you do don't spend $1500 on a Tele. The really great thing about Teles is that you can get superb ones for small bucks. The not so good thing about Teles is that no matter how much you spend on upgrades you won't get that much more of a guitar. I love my American Standard but in truth it isn't one bit better than my Mexican made Butterscotch or my Korean Special Edition Koa. With the quality of the import Teles being what it is I would never spend more than $500. Factory upgrades on a Tele are a study in diminishing returns. The more you spend the less you get for your money. If you must have so called upgrades do them yourself and save a bundle of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Try to find a '52 Reissue. I've bought quite a few Telecasters, MIA Special, Deluxe, various reissue MIM '72s, and Standard, an MIJ 90s Custom, etc, but the '52 is the only one that not only has the vibe but also the depth of tone. I like the others too, some of them are more edgie and some are more warm with HBs, but the '52 is more the revelation in my mind of what a tele should sound like. I'm also curious about some of the comparably priced "thin skin" models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strat87 Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 I am by no means a tele expert but I recently picked um an American special and I'm loving it. Nice full neck, 9.5" radius, jumbo frets, Texas special pups, 3 brass saddle bridge for all you purists out there. All for $800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PunkKitty Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Benford. I know it's not a Fender. But my Benford is better than any American Tele I've ever played. And you can buy one for less than a Fender. Steve will put whatever pickups in it that you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twotimingpete Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Try to find a '52 Reissue.I've bought quite a few Telecasters, MIA Special, Deluxe, various reissue MIM '72s, and Standard, an MIJ 90s Custom, etc, but the '52 is the only one that not only has the vibe but also the depth of tone. I like the others too, some of them are more edgie and some are more warm with HBs, but the '52 is more the revelation in my mind of what a tele should sound like.I'm also curious about some of the comparably priced "thin skin" models. not sure why a tele is any more or less "upgradeable" than any other guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 not sure why a tele is any more or less "upgradeable" than any other guitar. Well, I don't think I meant to imply that, but with my '52, it's just got a particularly nice sounding body to it. It's swamp ash (not hard and heavy) and it seems to be of good quality because it does have quite a bit of depth to its tone but still stays very articulate. I also think the p'ups are nice on it, so it just doesn't need anything except for getting the p'up selector switch rewired to modern. The other thing I don't like about it is that (according to popular report) they have a thin nitro over a thin poly. So you get some of the weirdness of both worlds. But it still comes together well in what I regard as my best sounding Tele. But I bought that guitar at least a dozen years ago or so, so I'm not sure how consistent they've been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 I am by no means a tele expert but I recently picked um an American special and I'm loving it. Nice full neck, 9.5" radius, jumbo frets, Texas special pups, 3 brass saddle bridge for all you purists out there. All for $800. I got one of those too. Also like that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 if I wanted to spend that much on a tele I'd just grab an american standard and be done with it. I don't know if "no humbuckers" precludes the models with a neckbucker, such as this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-american-vintage-72-telecaster-custom-electric-guitar the signature tele sound is primarily found in the bridge single, which this has. Those are cool gits by the way. I bought the Road Worn version and I like blending the tones between the bridge and neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 27Frets Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Try a G&L ASAT - it's more "Fender" than Fender. And you can get a WAY better guitar for the price, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wagdog Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 ^^^^^The tele custom was my first real guitar, back in like '77. I love that guitar. Mine was tobacco brown. I never, ever should have sold it, but did. Still kicking myself about that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members diceman1000 Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Try a G&L ASAT - it's more "Fender" than Fender. And you can get a WAY better guitar for the price, IMO. X3, G&L ASATs are SHWEET!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Davo17 Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Baja. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 '52 Reissue if you want the vintage feel.American Special if you want a little more modern feel and very versitile guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bfloyd6969 Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Whatever you do don't spend $1500 on a Tele. The really great thing about Teles is that you can get superb ones for small bucks. The not so good thing about Teles is that no matter how much you spend on upgrades you won't get that much more of a guitar. I love my American Standard but in truth it isn't one bit better than my Mexican made Butterscotch or my Korean Special Edition Koa. With the quality of the import Teles being what it is I would never spend more than $500. Factory upgrades on a Tele are a study in diminishing returns. The more you spend the less you get for your money. If you must have so called upgrades do them yourself and save a bundle of money. Wise words... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Try a G&L ASAT - it's more "Fender" than Fender. And you can get a WAY better guitar for the price, IMO. I played one the other day and it just wreaked quality, no doubt. Sometimes you pick up a guitar and it feels like a toy, not with an ASAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BoneNut Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 1) After having Teles with single coils, minis and humbuckers, I think the perfect combination is a mini in the neck and a traditional bridge set up. 2) Assemble one yourself. It's easy and as cheap or expensive as you decide. A tele with everything you want and none of what you don't like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar_Dan Posted October 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks for the replys guys, appreciate it. I have been offered the 60th Anniversary for $1150 http://www.fender.com/products/60th-tele/models.php?prodNo=0116112 Does this seem a good price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wagdog Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 $1150 for a 60'th anniversary does seem like a good price. Very nice guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twotimingpete Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks for the replys guys, appreciate it. I have been offered the 60th Anniversary for $1150 http://www.fender.com/products/60th-tele/models.php?prodNo=0116112Does this seem a good price? that's roughly 20% off the MAP. I'd say it's a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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