I want a telecaster

[drab]

Help me guitar people. Budget is £500 tops, ideally would spend less. There's too many models now, dunno what they all are...

Can be old and battered or new and shiny, not decided. Just want something good value really, from my initial searching it looks like buying something american from the 90s could be a good starting point

[B17NNS]

Should get a nice USA Standard for that.

[B17NNS]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-USA-Telecaster-st...

For sale in Stone. Assuming it's Stone, Staffordshire that's the town I live in. Happy to go and take a look for you if you like.

[Evangelion]

Here's a few for you:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-USA-Telecaster-Ca...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fender-american-special-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-American-Special-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Telecaster-Califo...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pre-owned-USA-Fender-Tel...


Couldn't see many US Teles for under £600 though.

[anonymous-user]

Play loads, pick the one that sounds best. You have to play them as Teles vary so wildly, good, and bad abound. If I I was buying unseen I'd never pick a Fender. Edwards/ESP basic Tele would be my choice. Or a good Fender Japan/Tokai etc.

[B17NNS]

If you're open to other manufacturers maybe give an ML3 a whirl.

http://www.andertons.co.uk/solid-body-electric-gui...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S1TRoNWff8

That's the signature model.

A couple of other flavours are available (cheaper too)...

http://www.andertons.co.uk/Products/Products.asp?k...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeEJVTfK4dw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyx8lF2rpqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRPUoqGTLpg

[singlecoil]

If I wanted a Tele (which I do, actually) I wouldn't get one with the flat bridge plate like most of the USA ones have, the bridge material is too thick to give the classic Tele sound. I would get the thinner gauge raised edge type that normally only have three bridge pieces (but I would change them for the Wilkinson type which has compensated bridge saddles for improved intonation).

[Evangelion]

Could try one of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7h9OofqVlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ-57cYtZaU

Although I'm not sure when he's going to have some ready to ship.

Quote from his YouTube channel:
"If you are interested in being among the first to order any future production MT1 then we are now taking expressions of interest. Initially please email [e-mail] stating your name address and telephone number. We will be in touch as soon as we have production plans in place. There will be a choice of colours and possibly a limited choice of customisation options."

Edited by Evangelion on Saturday 27th December 22:03

[drab]

Cheers all! Particularly for the offer of going to scope one out for me, that's very kind but I won't take you up on it just yet...

I think I'd like to stick to a tele, I know there's probably alternatives which outperform it in many ways but I seem to have fallen for them and only a tele will do :-D

The ones linked on eBay look great, looks like I might need to up my budget slightly though, and do some more googling as it looks like there's even more variances than I thought

[gbbird]

I have been hankering after a telecaster for some time now. I am so tempted with one of these, but wonder if I would be better off with a USA standard

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_det...

[Baryonyx]

That colour scheme is dreadful though. If you're going to have a Telecaster, surely it has to be in Danny Gatton colours...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdpw6Cs1vlY

[drab]

I've read some cracking reviews of the american specials, I think I'll have a play of some in the shops and see if they're nice. They RM a bit too good to be true at that price... If the fit and finish is quality then that would leave a decent chunk towards better pickups assuming they are the budget items on the guitars (guessing here)

[singlecoil]

I suggest you decide which sort of bridge you want before deciding which model of Tele to go for, unless it's just the shape that appeals to you?

[drab]

Is the bridge the most significant bit in shaping the sound on these? I thought the pickups would have the biggest influence

[singlecoil]

drab said:

Is the bridge the most significant bit in shaping the sound on these? I thought the pickups would have the biggest influence

Yes.

The most important parameter of any sound bar volume and pitch is the output envelope. Synthesizer players will be familiar with this, the ADSR (attack, decay, sustain and release) envelope.

The original Telecaster bridge is light and thin, which allows some of the string's vibration to escape quickly which gives the Tele its sharp, clear sound. As bridges get heavier so the sustain improves (the metal block on the underside of a Strat bridge is often referred to as a sustain block). That's why I wouldn't choose the type with the flat thick metal bridge.

All the above in my opinion, BTW.

[gbbird]

I have been dreaming of teles all day. Almost went to Denmark street after work to try a few out, but didn't in the end as I know I would have purchased on impulse without knowing too much about what I was buying. Plus the shop I had in mind also stocks Charvel so cals so the damage to my wallet could have been doubly bad. May go tomorrow......

So, to buy new and not wanting to pay thousands, what type of Tele should I be looking at? One thing I have decided is that it has to have a rosewood neck, but I assume all models will have that option?

[Baryonyx]

You'll struggle to find a rosewood neck, even on a custom model. You might find koa, walnut or mahogany necks on some but rosewood would be a stretch.

I presume you mean fretboard, in which case I'd go for maple for snap.

[V8FGO]

Sadly a little over budget.

http://www.forsyths.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitars...

There is the Wilko Johnson Sig model

http://www.forsyths.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitars...

[BorkFactor]

Can you get a used Baja Tele for that? They are seriously nice

Don't be afraid of non traditional 6 saddle bridges as my American Standard has the proper Tele sound through a valve amp with good strings on it. Obviously the 3 saddle brass one is better but keep an open mind. Easily replaced too

[gbbird]

Baryonyx said:

You'll struggle to find a rosewood neck, even on a custom model. You might find koa, walnut or mahogany necks on some but rosewood would be a stretch.

I presume you mean fretboard, in which case I'd go for maple for snap.

Yes sorry, I mean fretboard. Not too fussed on type of wood, just needs to be dark wood.