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

[Brow]

Thanks for the info guys.

I know I like the look, sound and feel of the natural Lite Ash Tele, but I s'ppose the best thing to do would be to try and track down a Baja Tele locally so I can compare them for myself.

I've heard alot of issues as regards QC, finishing, and neck warpage of the Lite Ash Teles so thought I'd ask to see if anyone knew of these.

[dave_mc]

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.

ah, ok, i guess they're worth a look then. tokai seem to have started producing fender copies again (strats anyway), but they aren't exact copies any more, they have a differently-shaped scratchplate and wilkinson trem etc. i'd guess (if they even make them) their teles would be equally different-looking now... if you want one which looks exactly like a fender tele, as twin says, you'll probably have to go second hand.

my tokai strat has a vintage v-shaped one-piece neck (i think so, anyway, i'm not too good with neck profiles!). But i've only tried newer tokai teles, and can't really remember their profile, which is likely to be different depending on model anyway...

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:

yeah, there does seem to be a distinct lack of breezysounds on e-bay. i managed to get a tokai strat copy, but there are a lot fewer teles unfortunately. I'm after one too, lol. :(

[Brow]

I'm going to try and track down a Baja Tele to try out, but am also going to keep an eye open for Tokais etc on Ebay to see if anything crops up :)

[Brow]

I've just found a guitar made from a Musikraft Light Ash body and C shaped neck, with Duncan pups, 4 way switch and Callaham bridge and hardware for less than either a Lite Ash or a Baja Tele. Think I may have a winner :D

[Sollophonic]

There are alternatives to Fender, which may actually be better anyway.

First theres the Peavey Generation EX models which by all accounts outplay the Squiers and the MIM Fenders.
Then theres the G & L teles which allegedly blowout the MIA Fenders too.
Also dont forget that Hamer, Gordon and Smith and Yamaha do Tele derivative guitars which are highly regarded
I went browsing in a few shops the other week, and tried a Baja, and a Highway one. Both v.nice guitars, but then I played a G & L and it just blew them away in terms of playability, tone and build quality. I'm seriously tempted.

[Brow]

There are alternatives to Fender, which may actually be better anyway.

First theres the Peavey Generation EX models which by all accounts outplay the Squiers and the MIM Fenders.
Then theres the G & L teles which allegedly blowout the MIA Fenders too.
Also dont forget that Hamer, Gordon and Smith and Yamaha do Tele derivative guitars which are highly regarded
I went browsing in a few shops the other week, and tried a Baja, and a Highway one. Both v.nice guitars, but then I played a G & L and it just blew them away in terms of playability, tone and build quality. I'm seriously tempted.

It doesn't have to be a Fender, but they're a good place to start :)

I'm mainly looking on Ebay and in the 2nd hand papers as there's next to no music shops anywhere near me so my options for trying before I buy are very limited.

I'm still open to suggestions so keep em' coming!

[PhilKing]

I've just found a guitar made from a Musikraft Light Ash body and C shaped neck, with Duncan pups, 4 way switch and Callaham bridge and hardware for less than either a Lite Ash or a Baja Tele. Think I may have a winner :D

I have a Musikraft with a Warmoth goncalo alves neck.  The bodies are very nicely made.  If you get that and put a set of black guards in, then you will have a winner!

[Brow]

I have a Musikraft with a Warmoth goncalo alves neck.  The bodies are very nicely made.  If you get that and put a set of black guards in, then you will have a winner!

Hi Phil.

Glad to hear you like the Musikraft body.

Here's some pics/specs of the possibly 'winning' Tele:





Body..
Two piece light Ash body by 'Musikraft USA' (Fender Licensed) www.musikraft.com Finished with hand rubbed "True Oil" (Gun Stock Finish) for a satin look and great tone. (Tone not killed by heavy laquer) The body has forearm and tummy contours for player comfort (like a Strat)

Neck..
Maple/Rosewood neck (also Musikraft USA) '60's "C" profile with 9.25" radius and Jumbo Frets making string bending a breeze and also effortless chording. The back of the neck has been carefully rubbed through the Vintage tint finish and then treated with Tung oil making it a very fast smooth player. ( no friction or stickiness when hot) The fingerboard edges are rolled for a comfortable played in feel and the neck back is about medium.....not too thin and no baseball bat either

Tuners - Locking Grovers

Nut - Tusq

Callaham USA Bridge

Duncan Pups and 4 way switch

This guitar with shipping works out at about £30 cheaper than a new Baja Tele (minus shipping) does.

It looks like a good deal to me, but could've done with trying it 1st  :roll:

[AndyR]

Looks gorgeous, and the descriptions of the finish... sigh... I have no GAS, no really...

I'm happy with my Baja and it's inch-thick lacquer! Doesn't really bother me unduly, it still sounds stunning, but seeing the grain on that... oooh!

I must admit, I'd want to try before I bought, though...

[Brow]

I was going to get that Parts Tele tonight when I got back from work, but it'd already gone   , so back to Lite Ash, Bajas and any other ideas?

Cheers

[Philly Q]

I still think the Highway One's worth a look.  It has a thin finish which is supposed to get bashed up very easily, but I'd say that's no bad thing on a Tele.

[Brow]

I still think the Highway One's worth a look.  It has a thin finish which is supposed to get bashed up very easily, but I'd say that's no bad thing on a Tele.

I agree on the bashed up finish on Teles (and Strats too imo). Which is quite fortunate as I have my clumsy moments  :lol:

From looking at the Highway 1 Teles, they all appear to have Alder bodies, does that give a 'traditional' Tele Tone? As I tend to think of Ash bodies when I think of Telecasters

[Philly Q]

Yeah, good point, the alder gives a rounder, less snappy tone.  If you want a real traditional Tele tone ash is probably better.

There is an ash Tele in the H1 series too, the Highway One Texas:

http://www.fender.co.uk/products//search.php?partno=0113502367

[Brow]

Yeah, good point, the alder gives a rounder, less snappy tone.  If you want a real traditional Tele tone ash is probably better.

There is an ash Tele in the H1 series too, the Highway One Texas:

http://www.fender.co.uk/products//search.php?partno=0113502367

Thanks for the info.

I wasn't aware that there was an Ash version of the HW1.

As for Fenders, it's now looking like a 3 horse race: HW1 TExas (if I can find 1) / MIK Lite Ash / MIM Baja.

I'm still going to keep my eye out for Tokai's etc too as may be able to snag something around the same price as the Fenders.

[Kilby]

As for Fenders, it's now looking like a 3 horse race: HW1 TExas (if I can find 1) / MIK Lite Ash / MIM Baja.

I'm still going to keep my eye out for Tokai's etc too as may be able to snag something around the same price as the Fenders.

Hopefully I will be trying out a Baja later this week (alongside a Lite Ash)

The Japanese fenders are also pretty nice and McGuitars have some in stock http://mcguitars.co.uk/shop/