Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I have the beginnings of Tele GAS and have been checking out my options. The 2 mentioned above are the 1s that have gotten my attention more than most :)

I played a Lite Ash Tele for a few minutes in a local music shop a few weekends ago and really liked it. I was all set on that until a friend suggested the Baja Tele in Butterscotch Blonde with the 4 way switching and S1 switching. Now I'm torn between the 2, but trying a Baja Tele before buying isn't really an option, as nowhere around here stocks them that I know of.

Just wondered what any owners of either of these guitars think or if you could recommend any other guitars for me to look into.

Cheers

[Kilby]

Funny enough I was going to ask the same question myself this morning, as I am suffering from Tele love (again)

I loved the lite ash models that I have tried, but havn't gotten around to trying the Baja model

[Roobubba]

LOL "tele love"

Means something so, so wrong in my head.

Anyway, sorry not to be helpful, but for me, the "?????" = "not" and that gets my vote :)

Roo

[Twinfan]

The Baja has a mighty big ol' neck - something that may put you off.  Great spec for the price though.

If you can get over to Manc, you check mine out mate  :)

[Brow]

The Baja has a mighty big ol' neck - something that may put you off.  Great spec for the price though.

If you can get over to Manc, you check mine out mate  :)

They have big necks eh? Thats a plus in my book :) Even though I have small womanly hands, I've never been that comfortable with thinner/smaller necked guitars.

Manchester, hmmmm wonder if I can come up with a reason to come over for the day  :lol:

[dave_mc]

if it doesn't have to say fender on it, tokai or other japanese copies would be worth a look. i haven't actually tried those exact models (i've tried the light ash strat, though, and wasn't too fussed), but i've compared tokais to other similarly-priced fenders, and the tokais were much nicer if you ask me.

they are very vintage in spec though, if you're after a modern tele, you might need to look elsewhere.

[Philly Q]

LOL "tele love"

Means something so, so wrong in my head.

It's an album by Suze DeMarchi, aka Mrs Nuno Bettencourt.  Nothing wrong there:



Anyway, +1 for the Baja for the big neck.  The Highway Ones might also be worth a look.

.

[Brow]

if it doesn't have to say fender on it, tokai or other japanese copies would be worth a look. i haven't actually tried those exact models (i've tried the light ash strat, though, and wasn't too fussed), but i've compared tokais to other similarly-priced fenders, and the tokais were much nicer if you ask me.

they are very vintage in spec though, if you're after a modern tele, you might need to look elsewhere.

Nah, it doesn't have to say Fender on it at all.

I picked the 2 above as they're both around £400, and I liked the Lite Ash 1 that I played.

I don't mind Vintage Specs neither, but I do prefer something with a larger neck if I'm honest.

[Philly Q]

Are you bothered about body weight, Brow?  If you are, I'd say try before you buy.

A lot of the recent Fender Teles I've tried have been really hefty, my American Ash was about 9.5lbs - I ended up getting a replacement body.  The Bajas are often on the porky side too, but you could be lucky and get a light one.

[Twinfan]

I think the Tokai's have a reasonably sized neck, nothing too thin.  Worth considering I think, although you'd have to buy used as they're not made any more.

Nice Japanese Fender Tele here:  http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedtl4.htm

[Brow]

Are you bothered about body weight, Brow?  If you are, I'd say try before you buy.

A lot of the recent Fender Teles I've tried have been really hefty, my American Ash was about 9.5lbs - I ended up getting a replacement body.  The Bajas are often on the porky side too, but you could be lucky and get a light one.

Nah, body weight doesn't bother me at all. I'm primarilly a Les Paul player, so don't mind a heavy guitar :)

I think the Tokai's have a reasonably sized neck, nothing too thin.  Worth considering I think, although you'd have to buy used as they're not made any more.

Nice Japanese Fender Tele here:  http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedtl4.htm

I'd thought about Tokais, but there doesn't appear to be much on Ebay, and I'm not overly confident of getting something from Japan etc. As mine would be the 1 that gets lost of damaged etc  :roll:

That Jap Tele you posted is the kind of Tele I prefer, Ash body, natural/Blonde/Butterscotch finish etc. I wonder if he can do anything with the price  :D

[hunter]

My Baja weighs more than any of my Les Pauls, don't care, the guitar rocks very hard.

I am considering sanding down the body lacquer though, I am annoyed by its thickness.

Edit: Just check my face :O)

[Philly Q]

Nah, body weight doesn't bother me at all. I'm primarilly a Les Paul player, so don't mind a heavy guitar :)

My Baja weighs more than any of my Les Pauls, don't care, the guitar rocks very hard.

Ah, you guys are tougher (and younger) than me!!  

I put together Teles from parts now, so I can make sure of getting a light body.

[Roobubba]

hahah nice one Philly :)


Roo

[badgermark]

I'm a big fan of MIM standard teles. Just the right feel and i love the neck. So much that i have two. One has nothing but a bridge humbucker... Teles rock too!