Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: 99_not_out on December 05, 2007, 09:37:03 PM
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I've been thinking about getting a single coil guitar recently to 'round out' my guitar collection (well, my Singlecut and SG), and after listening to Jeff Buckley last night have finally decided on a Tele. But which one? Fender seem to make several models:
American
American vintage
American deluxe
Standard edition
... and then there are no doubt a load of Tele inspired models from other Vendors (Gordon Smith for example). I have no idea what the differences really are other than price ... any recommendations appreciated. I have never played a single coil guitar in 14 years of guitar playing, and am a bit in the dark over what is good and what isn't, and I know there are a few Tele players on this forum :)
It will probably get BKP'd so I'm less worried about pickup quality, and more concerned with general build quality and playing feel.
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Fender Lite Ash Tele is always worth a look - it's very well built, and has a nice mix of modern features (9.5" radius board, C shape neck, medium frets) and vintage (3 saddle brass bridge). Comes with Duncans as standard, which sound pretty good to my ears. Downside is there isn't a huge variety of finishes. Didn't bother me, as I wanted a black one anyway!
You can pick one up new for around £350, which is excellent value.
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And the Baja Tele (I'm gonna get me one of them when i find the cash) - Custom Shop Designed, Custom Shop pickups, S1 switching system, great feel (similar to a Les Paul neck and weight wise). They're selling for about £400 nowadays.
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Ta chaps :)
Both look interesting, especially that S1 switching system.
I should probably know this by now, but what are the tonal differences between Maple and Ash? I could probably look that up but I'm tired :roll:
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I'm assuming you mean Alder and Ash - since those are the two main body materials found on teles.
Alder is very full and balanced, and is what most modern Fenders are made from
Hard Ash is hard and heavy with a very good, bright sustain whereas swamp ash is lighter, with more warmth and what's been described as 'pop'. This swamp ash is what was used on most fender bodies in the 50s
Maple is very hard, heavy and dense - it's what fender and many others use for their necks.
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Feline custom built 8)
Or Fender Baja :twisted:
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Feline tabby
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Hand built forever! :D
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I've found the absolute Uberdaddy of pawnshop bitser tele's, just in time for christmas and not having the money for it. Grrr!
Better be there in the new year.
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I would say try a few out-see if Teles are your thing. In most cases, provided you get a reasonably good one, you can fix them up pretty good. Avoid, for example, one like that in a shop near me that has been there a year and will never sell to anyone who knows guitars because the bridge is not aligned."Friday" guitars notwithstanding, Teles have made the course because they are so well designed. Whether a US, MIM or MIJ version. I like the basic Tele personally but those Baja jobs do look and sound the business. The one thing you must do ( wait for it, wait for it) is install a 4 way switch to give you extra pickup options. You will then have just about the most versatile guitar on the planet.
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Like it's said above, you need to try a few different models out until you find one you like as the subtle spec variations can make a big difference. I played loads until my Baja Tele "spoke" to me.
If you want a maple fingerboard I'd try:
Korean Lite Ash
Mexican Baja
USA '52 reissue
Mexican 50s Tele
Japanese 50s Tele
If you want a rosewood fingerboard I'd try:
Mexican 60s Tele
Japanese 60s Tele
Mexican Joe Strummer Tele (if you like the relic look)
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heh just noticed your name... once you've got your tele, you'll have to change that to "99_now_out"
:D
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there's a blade tele for about £350... it's pretty nice if you ask me. nicer than the equivalently-priced fender models, imo.
second-hand MIJ tokai is always a good call too. :)
The one thing you must do ( wait for it, wait for it) is install a 4 way switch to give you extra pickup options. You will then have just about the most versatile guitar on the planet.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
also agreed with twinfan about trying a bunch to find one you like. :)
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If you wanna build one, I have parts for sale. ;)
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Get a 4-way switch. My tele with Country Boys roars with both pickups in series. Essentially makes a ~12k humbucker, if the pickups are RW/RP though.
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Thanks for all the repsonses!
The 4-way switch option sounds like a must ... next free weekend its down to the nearest guitar shop then and start trying a few out. My Xmas present to myself then sorted :)
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And the Baja Tele (I'm gonna get me one of them when i find the cash) - Custom Shop Designed, Custom Shop pickups, S1 switching system, great feel (similar to a Les Paul neck and weight wise). They're selling for about £400 nowadays.
I gave way to my own G.A.S. recently, and as a life long Telecaster fan, eventually got a 'proper' one of my own by buying a Baja Tele. I love the fat(ish ) Les Paul type neck - and although it looks like a '52 re-issue, the 'extra' sounds on tap via the custom shop designed pickups and subtle switching system are very clever. You can have the usual 3 Tele sounds, a thicker 'Rock' type sound, a Peter Green type nasal sound, and an airy strat like sound as well. Try one and see !
As Indysmith pointed out, some high street retailers may be asking the R.R.P, but online the price is about £ 390, which includes a nice quality gig bag.
Worth a consideration. :D
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Like it's said above, you need to try a few different models out until you find one you like as the subtle spec variations can make a big difference. I played loads until my Baja Tele "spoke" to me.
Ha, Ha, :lol:
You too Dave eh ?
" It wasn't my fault the Baja actually spoke to me, I had to buy it " ...
Nice one :D
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You know me too well Derek ;)
Nice to see you've splashed out on another guitar too :D
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They are nice the baja's..congrats
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Thanks again for the advice chaps, played a few Teles and now one Baja is on order, should arrive for the new year :) Pics &c. to follow.Deck the halls and all that! Promised the wife I'd stop at three guitars ... we'll see ... played an Ibanez yesterday and it was sweet ... :twisted:
GAS is a way of life!
Edit: also, too full of food to move :)
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I played my MIM Tele with Country Boys alongside my Brother's new American Standard Tele and sound wise, mine blew his away easily and so he will be swapping out the pickups pretty soon.He was also mega impressed with the 4 way switch. He had his Precision bass with BKPs with him today too and it sounded bloody excellent.