Guitars - Telecasters - talk to me
Discussion
My daughter loves her music and I’m trying my best to support her chosen journey.
She’s approaching her 16th next month and recently battled through her GCSE’s and I want to get her a new guitar in way of a well done gift.
She wants a Fender Telecaster. I have a budget of £700-£1000.
I’ve no idea what I’m looking at really so hoping someone that knows can point me to a number of the best choices in that price range.
Thanks in advance
She’s approaching her 16th next month and recently battled through her GCSE’s and I want to get her a new guitar in way of a well done gift.
She wants a Fender Telecaster. I have a budget of £700-£1000.
I’ve no idea what I’m looking at really so hoping someone that knows can point me to a number of the best choices in that price range.
Thanks in advance
Does she already play guitar?
If so, then she needs to go to a store and try what they have in stock. The Tele comes in different versions that have noticeable differences in tone and feel. Some have a neck that is really thick and lacquered differently that may not be great for some. There's no right or wrong, just personal taste.
If not then maybe a relatively cheaper Squier Tele is a better bet to get the look and sound without shelling out so much and should be easy to sell on if she doesn't get on with it.
There's loads of YouTube videos comparing so the varieties available.
If so, then she needs to go to a store and try what they have in stock. The Tele comes in different versions that have noticeable differences in tone and feel. Some have a neck that is really thick and lacquered differently that may not be great for some. There's no right or wrong, just personal taste.
If not then maybe a relatively cheaper Squier Tele is a better bet to get the look and sound without shelling out so much and should be easy to sell on if she doesn't get on with it.
There's loads of YouTube videos comparing so the varieties available.
Edited by LeoSayer on Tuesday 1st July 08:32
She'll be spoilt for choice with that budget.
https://www.thomann.co.uk/t_models.html?oa=prd&...
As has been said, does she play already? If so, it would be better to let her try/choose the guitar she wants as different neck profiles, body woods, fret sizes, bridges, fretboards, etc. all make one Tele feel very different from another.
The style of music she likes can also affect things, for example pick-up choices (Tele's typically have two single coils as I'm sure you know, but there are plenty of variants with a humbucker, P90s, three pick-ups, etc.).
Lastly, if you, she (or someone you know) is familiar with guitars then don't rule out secondhand. Some amazing used guitars out there. If you aren't too far from Wiltshire and she can wait a while, she'd be able to visit the next auction here and try loads of Teles...
https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/238/the-gui...
https://www.thomann.co.uk/t_models.html?oa=prd&...
As has been said, does she play already? If so, it would be better to let her try/choose the guitar she wants as different neck profiles, body woods, fret sizes, bridges, fretboards, etc. all make one Tele feel very different from another.
The style of music she likes can also affect things, for example pick-up choices (Tele's typically have two single coils as I'm sure you know, but there are plenty of variants with a humbucker, P90s, three pick-ups, etc.).
Lastly, if you, she (or someone you know) is familiar with guitars then don't rule out secondhand. Some amazing used guitars out there. If you aren't too far from Wiltshire and she can wait a while, she'd be able to visit the next auction here and try loads of Teles...
https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/238/the-gui...
I agree that going and trying a load of Teles at your nearest shop is the best way to go.
It makes the gift all the more special if you go and choose it together too.
For about £700, imo you can't go wrong with a Fender Player II - their standard Mexican range. Superb guitars. Factor in £50 or so for a good setup.
You might think it naff, but you could even get an engraved neck plate to commemorate the occasion!
It makes the gift all the more special if you go and choose it together too.
For about £700, imo you can't go wrong with a Fender Player II - their standard Mexican range. Superb guitars. Factor in £50 or so for a good setup.
You might think it naff, but you could even get an engraved neck plate to commemorate the occasion!
chemistry said:
If you aren't too far from Wiltshire and she can wait a while, she'd be able to visit the next auction here and try loads of Teles...
https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/238/the-gui...
Good old Gardiner Houlgate, I’ve bought plenty of stuff from there, only trouble is Huddersfield is a long way from Wiltshire, the four hundred mile round trip is getting a bit tedious. Some proper bargains to be had though.https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/238/the-gui...
Bought a Squier Telecaster off a bloke for a £100, I get a nicer sound out of that thing than most of my Gibson SGs that cost 12 times the cost of that Tele. [ although the mains hum is a scunner ]
The neck is lovely, it stays in tune, the action stays the same regardless of humidity and the extra scale length just makes it more twangy and easier to play.
The neck is lovely, it stays in tune, the action stays the same regardless of humidity and the extra scale length just makes it more twangy and easier to play.
I can't help you directly with your choice of Tele's but as others have said, go a try a load of guitars and see what she likes. One of my favourite afternoons out was having a budget of £2000 and spending all day playing different electro acoustics out at my local Symphony. Martin.... Takemine ..... Taylor...... great day ! Oh, I left with a Taylor!
I think Ive got a similar day out too as my daughters fixated on having a Fender Jag!
C
Thanks all for the advice.
I had thought in my head it would be a nice surprise. But, you are all right, her playing them is obvs the best way to choose which she likes most.
She has a squire affinity strat already and she loves it and of course she wishes to expand her collection. Which is a good size for her. And she obsesses over the telecasters used by many of her favourite bands.
I also love the idea of the engraving to make it that extra bit special. I only know of one guitar shop in bham so we will go there or take a trip to London as I know there are places she enjoys there.
Thanks again all
I had thought in my head it would be a nice surprise. But, you are all right, her playing them is obvs the best way to choose which she likes most.
She has a squire affinity strat already and she loves it and of course she wishes to expand her collection. Which is a good size for her. And she obsesses over the telecasters used by many of her favourite bands.
I also love the idea of the engraving to make it that extra bit special. I only know of one guitar shop in bham so we will go there or take a trip to London as I know there are places she enjoys there.
Thanks again all
Bit of a curve ball,was looking for a Tele last year, thought about squier,but by the time I modded it, would cost more than , Chapman ml3 traditional stainless frets,Duncan single coils hipshot brass bridge saddles n locking tuners,gold metalflake,carved top no scratch plate,played great out of box,hardly touched Yamaha Pacifica since I got it
I think ultimately, she's got to choose the guitar that (within budget!) is 'the one'. This will, in my experience, be a mixture of head vs heart factors.
One dilemma is that there are many 'Telecasters' out there made by other companies that are objectively better (better made, better components, better value) than the equivalent offerings from Fender at any given price point. But, for many people the fact that it says Fender on the headstock is still a (non-sensical) part of the buying decision (full disclosure: I have a heavily modified and tweaked Fender made in Mexico 72 Deluxe Thinline Tele myself...a great guitar...and to my annoyance, the Fender name on the headstock pleases me).
For a 'special' guitar, and a 'real' Tele I'd probably start by trying a Fender Player II as has already been suggested. Good guitars, look the part, have some nice modern features too and the Fender name on the headstock. She can then compare these against other models/brands and see whether (say) she'd rather have a 'real' Fender or something like a Sire Larry Carlton, G&L ASAT or Chapman DPT instead (which probably offers better value for money).
Given your budget and the quality of guitars these days, she probably can't really go wrong!
Do let us know what she opts for!
One dilemma is that there are many 'Telecasters' out there made by other companies that are objectively better (better made, better components, better value) than the equivalent offerings from Fender at any given price point. But, for many people the fact that it says Fender on the headstock is still a (non-sensical) part of the buying decision (full disclosure: I have a heavily modified and tweaked Fender made in Mexico 72 Deluxe Thinline Tele myself...a great guitar...and to my annoyance, the Fender name on the headstock pleases me).
For a 'special' guitar, and a 'real' Tele I'd probably start by trying a Fender Player II as has already been suggested. Good guitars, look the part, have some nice modern features too and the Fender name on the headstock. She can then compare these against other models/brands and see whether (say) she'd rather have a 'real' Fender or something like a Sire Larry Carlton, G&L ASAT or Chapman DPT instead (which probably offers better value for money).
Given your budget and the quality of guitars these days, she probably can't really go wrong!
Do let us know what she opts for!
Left field choice, just for fun...in Birmingham.. definitely looks special (to my eye)...in budget but about 25% off list price:
https://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/products/fender-go...

Apparently the gold foil pickups are actually mini humbuckers and whilst it might lack the classic Tele sound it will probably be a versatile guitar, in-between typical Fender and Gibson tones. I haven't played one, but thought it looked fun and a bit different, especially if looking for a 'special' guitar.
https://guitar.com/reviews/electric-guitar/the-big...
https://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/products/fender-go...
Apparently the gold foil pickups are actually mini humbuckers and whilst it might lack the classic Tele sound it will probably be a versatile guitar, in-between typical Fender and Gibson tones. I haven't played one, but thought it looked fun and a bit different, especially if looking for a 'special' guitar.
https://guitar.com/reviews/electric-guitar/the-big...
I don t have a Tele, but I know Steve Diggle from Buzzcocks only ever buys and uses the Mexican ones, swears they re as good as the big money US built ones, although as with all guitars, play it first, as there is a lot of variation in most brands guitars, in workmanship as well as the wood.
Maybe select one, give her the picture, and take her down there to try one out. Most big guitar shops will have a decent number in stock.
Maybe select one, give her the picture, and take her down there to try one out. Most big guitar shops will have a decent number in stock.
Edited by Rough101 on Wednesday 2nd July 19:36
yep lots of choice in configurations and colour and agree she needs to choose it herself. I expect she will want a Fender and the player II are good.
at one point I had 12 teles in various forms (all fender) but now only three, a JV 82 and two late 90s CS Nocasters.
what amp does she use? that might be another consideration. there's a few amps with lots of built in effects out there (I have a Fender Mustang 100) if she has a decent one already and the budget allows then maybe a new tele and a pedal or two...
down the rabbit hole we go....
egor110 said:
Also worth bearing in mind weight .
She might want one because it's a fender but it may be way to heavy .
This is a very good point. Always worth standing up when testing them in the store. They can vary so much, even within the same model line. For me, anything over 8lbs for a tele is too much, but YMMV. Again, it’s just what she’s comfortable with. She might want one because it's a fender but it may be way to heavy .
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