Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 11:42:02 AM

Title: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 11:42:02 AM
I've been watching the Warmoth Showcase for some time looking for a new Tele body.  I don't want the usual blonde, natural or solid colours, I want something a bit more colourful but with the wood grain showing.

They have some nice maple tops and they've also been getting very keen on PRS style "natural masked binding" - both of which look very pretty, but I can't help thinking a Tele should be a bit more basic and utilitarian.

Any thoughts?  :?
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Twinfan on September 16, 2009, 11:58:42 AM
I don't like the look of maple top Teles, but don't let that stop you Phil!  They may sound great????
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 12:12:15 PM
Soundwise it won't really be an issue Dave - I think we're only talking a 1/8" veneer over swamp ash or alder.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 01:24:39 PM
My opinion???
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3116495621_4d8bca1b31.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3116495551_3223aec168.jpg?v=0)


Looks AWESOME!!!!!
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 01:30:54 PM
Yeah, your Tele looks cool - and definitely not blingy!  :D   

I think it's the spalt - it takes that pretty maple and makes it a bit grungy.  In a good way.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: HTH AMPS on September 16, 2009, 02:03:54 PM
does it have to be maple Phil? - how about ash with a semi-transparent finish like the Mary Kay Strats where you can see the grain through the finish.

I personally dislike blingy Fender guitars with maple caps and such, but if it's your thing then go for it.  A subtle flamed maple cap with wide flames might look ok with a 2-tone burst. 

Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: AndyR on September 16, 2009, 02:16:06 PM
As long as you finish it in black it'll look fine :lol:

Nah, I'm with HTH at the moment, I personally prefer my fender type guitars as bling-less as possible... which I guess is what you're checking out, and I suspect we're all talking you out of it :roll:

But you shouldn't let fashion or your peers dictate to you on matters of style.. if it looks good, do for it :D

(Hey, how about sticking a nice "Eagles" badge on it? Iron wotsit's got his Celtic Esquire, you could do a "Crystal Palacaster" :D)
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Plexi Ken on September 16, 2009, 02:23:00 PM
I think it is too blingy for a Tele, unless it was finished with a tradition subtle finish. However I'm still debating if my Mira Maple Top is too unsubtle for me to use without being laughed at  :? So I may just have more conservative tastes then average  :lol:

+1 on the see-thro finish. I've been GASing for a see-thro white Tele with Tortoise Shell (are they calling it 'brown shell' nowadays?) binding and guard for ages, a bit like the American Standard but with everything changed  :oops:
http://www.12fret.com/new/Fender_Tele_American_Deluxe_white_pg.html
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 02:38:30 PM
does it have to be maple Phil? - how about ash with a semi-transparent finish like the Mary Kay Strats where you can see the grain through the finish.

Certainly doesn't have to be maple - it's just a case of what crops up in the Showcase!  I'd be very happy with something like a Mary Kaye on swamp ash.  In fact they had one a couple of months ago but it disappeared fast!

But you shouldn't let fashion or your peers dictate to you on matters of style.. if it looks good, do for it :D

You're right... certainly wouldn't be led by fashion(!) but the opinions of my peers are always of interest!  :)

(Hey, how about sticking a nice "Eagles" badge on it? Iron wotsit's got his Celtic Esquire, you could do a "Crystal Palacaster" :D)

WOT?!

 :x  Crystal Palace??????!!!!!!   :x

I'm a Swansea boy matey.  But I don't fancy a white Tele at the minute.


(Actually I did follow Palace for a while, as my local team, but now they've got that pillock Warnock in charge....)

Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: hunter on September 16, 2009, 02:40:00 PM
does it have to be maple Phil? - how about ash with a semi-transparent finish like the Mary Kay Strats where you can see the grain through the finish.

I personally dislike blingy Fender guitars with maple caps and such, but if it's your thing then go for it.  A subtle flamed maple cap with wide flames might look ok with a 2-tone burst. 



+1 on the Ash>Maple on a Tele.

Unless you add a Floyd and go for EVH/MusicMan appeal.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Sifu Ben on September 16, 2009, 03:52:55 PM
I'm going to buck the trend here and say that I think flame tobaccoburst or transblack with burst with binding look quite good on a Tele.
I don't think this is overly bling www.suhrguitars.com/images/classicT/?image=Classic T Bengal Burst
I think people overuse "bling" when talking about guitars. I mean is gold hardware really bling and tacky? It's a colour combination.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: gingataff on September 16, 2009, 04:22:13 PM
I think a Tele with a flame top and a '59 type burst would looks nice, but I'd want to put humbuckers and a Gibson toggle on to go with it.

edit:

I've taken the liberty of doing a quick mock up, with regular Tele electronics.
(http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l231/gingataff/flametele1.jpg)
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: WezV on September 16, 2009, 05:00:02 PM
(Actually I did follow Palace for a while, as my local team, but now they've got that pillock Warnock in charge....)

was this one of the things you learnt from the IT crowd?  ;)

i like subtle flames with traditional bursts on tele's - not such a fan of the quilts.

however i do think the shape can take a lot of abuse!!

the 40th anniversary ones are great:
(http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/520/medium/40th_Anniversary_Tele.jpg)
(http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/780/604031.JPG)

Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 05:13:03 PM
(Actually I did follow Palace for a while, as my local team, but now they've got that pillock Warnock in charge....)

was this one of the things you learnt from the IT crowd?  ;)

Bluff Ball, page 13!
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 09:06:20 PM
I'm at home now, so I got a pic or two about:
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 09:09:53 PM
More:
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: dave_mc on September 16, 2009, 09:53:26 PM
I don't like the look of maple top Teles, but don't let that stop you Phil! 

+1
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 10:33:36 PM
Fernando, stop!  :lol:

Those are beautiful, but they're definitely blingy!
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 10:48:54 PM
Fernando, stop!  :lol:

Those are beautiful, but they're definitely blingy!
:twisted:
Never!!!
You mean TOO blingy for you?? I thought most would be... the green one I was a little uncertain... The one in Fire Dye would be awesome in a flamed maple (or even a non figured maple... I'm not a big fan of dye and transparent colors in ash, they tend to be a little "dark" )
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Lew on September 16, 2009, 10:50:46 PM
WOW, Fernando, that first Tele body is SICK.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 11:04:43 PM
OK, let's lay the cards on the table.... 

The orange one is swamp ash on swamp ash, the amber is maple on swamp ash, with fake binding:

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/pt1339c1.jpg)(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/pt1530c.jpg)
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 11:11:28 PM
I'm totally on the maple one!
The only "hummm" is the top routed.... That will look SICK with a all rosewood neck!
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Ian Price on September 16, 2009, 11:15:57 PM
Swamp as on swamp ash for me Philly. I'm a traditionalist and don't like bling on my Fenders. If I had to choose it would be this one.

Is fake binding something to worry about? [naive question]I'm assuming it doesn't do anything to the playability or anything like that of the guitar and is just cheaper[/naive question]
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 16, 2009, 11:19:53 PM
Fake binding is just a tape put on the edge of the body when it will be finished/dyed... after applied the color, you take it to put some coats of finish on it too... it's just visual...
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 11:20:19 PM
Is fake binding something to worry about? [naive question]I'm assuming it doesn't do anything to the playability or anything like that of the guitar and is just cheaper[/naive question]

They just mask the edges when they spray, like PRS, then clearcoat the whole thing.  So in some ways it's almost better than real binding - no sharp edges!

(Edit:  Fernando beat me to it!  :lol: )
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Ian Price on September 16, 2009, 11:21:45 PM
Cheers for that!

I agree with the sharp edges thing. The edges on my esquire are sharp indeed - especially when compared to La Cabronita. I suffer for my art.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Sifu Ben on September 16, 2009, 11:41:40 PM
The one on the right, rosewood board, gold hardware, job's a goodun.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 16, 2009, 11:47:41 PM
Not much love for orange then? 

Gold hardware's out though, it'll be all nickel and I already have the bits.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: WezV on September 17, 2009, 07:04:57 AM
i think the orange would look good with hardware on - it just looks a bit much in that photo

Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: MisterMuncher on September 17, 2009, 07:21:47 AM
That shade of orange and semi-hollow. It's practically sitting up and begging to become some kind of Tele/Gretsch Hybrid.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 17, 2009, 08:06:40 AM
That shade of orange and semi-hollow. It's practically sitting up and begging to become some kind of Tele/Gretsch Hybrid.

This kind of thing, maybe?  :D

(http://www.fanoguitars.com/photos/sp6rupnickel.jpg)
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: AndyR on September 17, 2009, 08:41:36 AM
A bit late on this - the orange swamp ash one for me. To me, it's loads prettier than the figured maple, not sure why...

Mebbe if I saw them in real life I would get the pretty maple thing, but in general, flames and birdseyes etc don't grab me, they have to be "just right" on the guitar itself. People post pics of stunning bits of wood, and I like them as that - just "stunning bits of wood", but in most cases I wouldn't want my guitar to have it on - I like a nice solid workmanlike grain showing if anything :lol: (I have to admit though, I saw pics of the 40th anniversay ones a while back, I think Wez posted pics earlier in this thread, and I thought they looked good).

And yeah, that Fano (it is a Fano isn't it?), just buy that and have done Philly (you know you want one) :lol:
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 17, 2009, 09:21:31 AM
And yeah, that Fano (it is a Fano isn't it?), just buy that and have done Philly (you know you want one) :lol:

Desperately!!  :lol:

A Fano is all I have proper GAS for nowadays, but they're expensive and I think it would have to be a special order too, so not really seriously considering it....
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Will on September 17, 2009, 12:51:08 PM
Wow, I like the look of that hybrid thingy up there :?
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: FernandoDuarte on September 17, 2009, 01:37:06 PM
And yeah, that Fano (it is a Fano isn't it?), just buy that and have done Philly (you know you want one) :lol:

Desperately!!  :lol:

A Fano is all I have proper GAS for nowadays, but they're expensive and I think it would have to be a special order too, so not really seriously considering it....

I think you can get something alike from Warmoth :) I guess it would be cheaper...
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Twinfan on September 17, 2009, 01:48:04 PM
Sounds Great had one of those in recently.  It lasted about 2 days before it was sold.
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 17, 2009, 02:39:26 PM
Sounds Great had one of those in recently.  It lasted about 2 days before it was sold.

Yeah, I saw it (after it had gone).  They still have it on their site to tantalise me.  :x
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Ian Price on September 17, 2009, 07:55:22 PM
A Fano is all I have proper GAS for nowadays, but they're expensive and I think it would have to be a special order too, so not really seriously considering it....

But you are considering it though. Right?
Title: Re: Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?
Post by: Philly Q on September 17, 2009, 08:42:51 PM
A Fano is all I have proper GAS for nowadays, but they're expensive and I think it would have to be a special order too, so not really seriously considering it....

But you are considering it though. Right?

Weeeeeelllll............... yes.

In a nebulous, maybe-one-day sort of fashion.