Author Topic: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ????? (Read 11459 times)

Brow · « **Reply #30 on:** May 21, 2008, 05:27:41 PM »

Quote from: Kilby

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/

Thanks for the link.

Also, would you let me know your thoughts on the Baja vs the Lite Ash if you get chance?

Thanks.

dave_mc · « **Reply #31 on:** May 21, 2008, 05:33:31 PM »

i've read though that sen (which is normally used as ash on most far eastern guitars) actually sounds a bit more like poplar than swamp ash. totally hearsay, but if you're buying a guitar and want it to sound like ash, just be careful you're actually buying the right kind of ash, lol. you could actually end up with something which sounds less like a tele than alder does...

AndyR · « **Reply #32 on:** May 21, 2008, 05:54:32 PM »

Woo, Brow, check out the Fender Japan Teles on that site, eg this one http://mcguitars.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=23

If I could have got near one of those when I was buying my Baja, it would have been a serious contender, if not a no-brainer. This looks like one of the "Non-export" Fender Japans to me...

The reason I say this is because my ITs are in a "non-export" Fender Japan 62 re-issue Strat I got in Denmark St a year or so ago. There's at least one on the site above. For strats, as I understand it, they're the ones with Alder bodies and Texas Special pickups, they say "Crafted in Japan" on them, although I notice the tags in the pictures of the cheaper basswood ones say the same - I tried some of them as well that day, they were nice, but the more expensive alder ones were stonking...

Anyway, this Strat of mine is the BEST guitar I have ever laid my hands on... 8) bar none... and I played 20+ strats that day! (MIMs, Highway, Am Stndrd, a US 62 re-issue for over twice the price, etc,etc)

Buddha · « **Reply #33 on:** May 21, 2008, 08:23:54 PM »

If you're going to look at japanese fenders take a look at this site, http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/index.php?f=data_fender_japan_new_guitars&a=2 I found it a while back when i had serious strat gas. When i had looked at that site it gave me tele gas though :lol:

AndyR · « **Reply #34 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:37:38 AM »

Quote from: Buddha

If you're going to look at japanese fenders take a look at this site, http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/index.php?f=data_fender_japan_new_guitars&a=2 I found it a while back when i had serious strat gas. When i had looked at that site it gave me tele gas though :lol:

AGGH! the GAS! :lol: what have you done?!!

My Strat is a ST62-TX, Fiesta Red, on the Stratocaster Catalogue (funnily enough...).

Brow, I haven't played any of these Japanese Teles, but based on the quality of my Strat, if they were to equal it, and came up with the twang I wanted, etc, etc - then I'd recommend these over my much-loved Baja. It would work out a fair bit more expensive though - because I'd be wanting to BKP the Japanese one (I'm happy with the stock pups on the Baja).

keith · « **Reply #35 on:** May 22, 2008, 01:52:17 PM »

Yo Brow I have a Lite Ash Tele. the nut was really high when I got it but the tech I use sorted it out when he set it up and it plays really nice now. The SD's in it sound quite good they are powerful and give plenty of bite thru my Marshall, but Im thinking of swapping them for some BK Piledrivers.
cheers
keith

Brow · « **Reply #36 on:** May 22, 2008, 06:19:53 PM »

Hey guys.

Thanks for the new posts.

I've had a look at those websites and alot of those Jap Fenders look great. I just wish they were cheaper than £600 for the most part

I think budget wise, something like a Lite Ash or Baja would be good as both have 'better than stock' pickups which should atleast let me play the guitar more without having to get BKPs straightaway, if at all (which I hear happens ALOT with the Baja)

Philly Q · « **Reply #37 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:11:07 PM »

Quote from: Brow

I think budget wise, something like a Lite Ash or Baja would be good as both have 'better than stock' pickups which should atleast let me play the guitar more without having to get BKPs straightaway, if at all (which I hear happens ALOT with the Baja)

Good point, the Alnico II Pros on the Lite Ash are really nice pickups too (if I can get away with bigging up Duncans...).

Brow · « **Reply #38 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:44:14 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Good point, the Alnico II Pros on the Lite Ash are really nice pickups too (if I can get away with bigging up Duncans...).

Yeah, I thought so too tbh.

The only Tele BKP I have any experience with is the Piledriver in my cheapie Poplar Tele, and while the A2Ps in the Lite Ash aren't in the same ballpark imo, they're more than serviceable in the mid to long term :)

Kilby · « **Reply #39 on:** May 26, 2008, 04:21:03 PM »

Finally for around to trying a Baja though only for a couple of minutes & without an amp (too many Emo kids in the shop at the time).

Anyway it has a neck to die for, a bit of an handful but even with my smallish hands very comfortable. Frets where nicely finished and the finish wasn't gloss :)

Setup was pretty nice and could have been lowered a bit without difficulty and the vintage tuners where pretty smooth (better than my old Mex strat, which was still pretty reasionable).

The not so good points where the body finish, god it was thick (it was a blonde one), also as previously mentioned the cavity below the ashtray was visible.

The bad point, it was really heavy, infact so heavy it put me right off the guitar and I didn't even bother waiting to plug it in. I picked up a Les Paul straight afterwards and I think the Baja was the heavier of the two :(

Currently a lite ash body with a Baja neck would be a pretty ideal Tele to me :( I really wanted to like the Baja to the extent of having the money available to buy it.

Philly Q · « **Reply #40 on:** May 26, 2008, 04:49:27 PM »

Quote from: Kilby

The bad point, it was really heavy, infact so heavy it put me right off the guitar and I didn't even bother waiting to plug it in. I picked up a Les Paul straight afterwards and I think the Baja was the heavier of the two :(

Yeah, Fender don't seem to make any attempt to keep their ash Teles in a reasonable weight range. Some are OK, some weigh a ton.

The problem for me is that, in the slightly uncomfortable environment of a guitar shop, I get a bit of stress-adrenaline going and I don't necessarily realise the weight. My American Ash seemed OK but it turned out to be nearly 9-1/2 lbs! I did think of taking my scales to the shops with me, but it might seem a little... eccentric.... :roll: :oops:

Brow · « **Reply #41 on:** May 26, 2008, 06:14:30 PM »

Quote from: Kilby

Finally for around to trying a Baja though only for a couple of minutes & without an amp (too many Emo kids in the shop at the time).

Anyway it has a neck to die for, a bit of an handful but even with my smallish hands very comfortable. Frets where nicely finished and the finish wasn't gloss :)

Setup was pretty nice and could have been lowered a bit without difficulty and the vintage tuners where pretty smooth (better than my old Mex strat, which was still pretty reasionable).

The not so good points where the body finish, god it was thick (it was a blonde one), also as previously mentioned the cavity below the ashtray was visible.

The bad point, it was really heavy, infact so heavy it put me right off the guitar and I didn't even bother waiting to plug it in. I picked up a Les Paul straight afterwards and I think the Baja was the heavier of the two :(

Currently a lite ash body with a Baja neck would be a pretty ideal Tele to me :( I really wanted to like the Baja to the extent of having the money available to buy it.

Thanks for the info.

The Baja and Lite Ash are still looking like the best options to me, as they're the only 1s I can find that appear to have an Ash body (something I think of for a 'traditional' Tele) and a Maple neck.

I've had a look around and I've seen new HW1 Teles for just over £400, but I've heard both good/great things about them aswell as bad. The Baja Teles tend to get pretty much good reviews.

I know I shouldn't let those sway my decision, but as I have little chance of trying them myself, I don't have too many other options :lol:

Kilby · « **Reply #42 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:57:54 AM »

Philly : Indeed it appears that the fender ash models have been consuming Ben & Jerrys full fat rather than frozen yogurt, and that I was really surprised at the weight (also I'm very self conscious about my playing so I didn't fight my way through the emo kids to an amp)

One day later and I can still feel that neck in my hand, it really did feel that neck wise it was the one for me (and I normally like narrower necks).

Therefore I have been doing a bit of a rethink regarding the Baja Tele as I really should have plugged the bugger in and given it a fair chance. Logically the weight business should not really be an issue as I only play in the house (and a couple of mates houses), however after discovering the joys of a very light and resonant guitar (my Berlin) I find it hard to take a step back to an un-nessiceraly heavy guitar.

I'm going to try out another Lite Ash model just to be sure (damn I'm sounding so indecisive).

I was also considering one of the Koa teles till I noticed that they are basswood :(

Anyway on with the research <sigh>

Philly Q · « **Reply #43 on:** May 27, 2008, 11:24:44 PM »

Quote from: Kilby

Philly : Indeed it appears that the fender ash models have been consuming Ben & Jerrys full fat rather than frozen yogurt

As have I, over the weekend :lol: .

If I was a guitar, I'd definitely be made of ash - and not the swamp variety.

shobet · « **Reply #44 on:** May 28, 2008, 01:05:34 AM »

What's the finish on the Baja and the Light ash ones, are they wearing Nitro or Poly coats?

Save your pennies up and get a real one, either that or max the ferkin credit card out without telling her indoors. Remember it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission...

Anyway I'll post mine just to get your juices flowing.