Cheap(er) Telecaster options
Discussion
Having barely been into a guitar shop since the turn of this century, I’ve been playing a little in recent months and I’ve been hankering after a Telecaster shape guitar for a while.
I have long regretted not buying one of the Fender Telecoustics when they were out, as I only play at home so it would serve just fine. I see the current version Fender do is rather more pricey though, and I can’t justify that...
I know price is all relative, I’m thinking something around £300. If Yamaha did a telecaster version of the Pacifica I’d be all over it, I recall even the cheapest Pacifiica’s were great to play when I was a kid. But they don’t...
Any ideas? Not particularly keen on a Squier, I expect I can get better value with another brand at comparable price point.
I have long regretted not buying one of the Fender Telecoustics when they were out, as I only play at home so it would serve just fine. I see the current version Fender do is rather more pricey though, and I can’t justify that...
I know price is all relative, I’m thinking something around £300. If Yamaha did a telecaster version of the Pacifica I’d be all over it, I recall even the cheapest Pacifiica’s were great to play when I was a kid. But they don’t...
Any ideas? Not particularly keen on a Squier, I expect I can get better value with another brand at comparable price point.
Keep your eyes open on the dealer websites for used Mexican Teles. I've got one of the 'Classic 50s' Tele and it's really well put together and plays nicely. I bought mine used for £450 (they were about £900 new last time I looked, as mine is a 'Laquer' finished one, but I also had a poly finished one which was also well made). A new MIM player would be around £500, so a used one should be around your budget and there's not much to go wrong with them really.
If you're feeling brave you might find one locally on Gumtree (which is where mine came from).
Having said that; the Squiers get some really good feedback on the forums I've seen, especially the 'Classic Vibe' models. I've got a 1982 Squier Strat myself and it plays as well as my mate's MIA Strat, so don't be put off by the name on the headstock. To be fair mine was made in Japan and they have become a little bit collectable now, but it's still 'only' a Squier.
If you're feeling brave you might find one locally on Gumtree (which is where mine came from).
Having said that; the Squiers get some really good feedback on the forums I've seen, especially the 'Classic Vibe' models. I've got a 1982 Squier Strat myself and it plays as well as my mate's MIA Strat, so don't be put off by the name on the headstock. To be fair mine was made in Japan and they have become a little bit collectable now, but it's still 'only' a Squier.
OldSkoolRS said:
If you're feeling brave you might find one locally on Gumtree (which is where mine came from).
Having said that; the Squiers get some really good feedback on the forums I've seen
I agree with both of these points. Having said that; the Squiers get some really good feedback on the forums I've seen
I picked up a slightly scruffy telecaster from gumtree for £350 - when I went to see it was a genuine USA model. Also bought a gumtree Squier strat for my son for £60 and its not bad at all.
Yamaha used to do a Telecaster-type Pacifica, so keep an eye on the secondhand listings.
Failing that, Squiers are fine as long as you make sure you get a Classic Vibe, as these have alnico pickups - better than the Fender Mexican Standards actually, which until recently were still using ceramics.
Failing that, Squiers are fine as long as you make sure you get a Classic Vibe, as these have alnico pickups - better than the Fender Mexican Standards actually, which until recently were still using ceramics.
I'll chuck another vote in for Squier, particularly the 'Classic Vibe' line.
For our 40th Wedding Anniversary, SWMBO bought me a Classic Vibe Thinline Tele and it is superb - great to play, tremendous sound. I subsequently acquired a Classic Vibe 50s Strat and I swear blind that it plays better and sounds better than a Mexican Strat I used to have.
For our 40th Wedding Anniversary, SWMBO bought me a Classic Vibe Thinline Tele and it is superb - great to play, tremendous sound. I subsequently acquired a Classic Vibe 50s Strat and I swear blind that it plays better and sounds better than a Mexican Strat I used to have.
Harley Benton are quite well reviewed and do a range of different teles
https://www.thomann.de/gb/t_models.html?filter=tru...
https://www.thomann.de/gb/t_models.html?filter=tru...
), and the quality is amazing for the price. In a bit of a sideways move I’m thinking about getting one of these: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/tcm50_2...
More along the lines of the Telecoustic, than an electric Tele, but I fully accept I’ve gone well off scope here!!!
More along the lines of the Telecoustic, than an electric Tele, but I fully accept I’ve gone well off scope here!!!
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