Maple Top/Bound Teles - Too Blingy?

[Philly Q]

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?  :?

[Twinfan]

I don't like the look of maple top Teles, but don't let that stop you Phil!  They may sound great????

[Philly Q]

Soundwise it won't really be an issue Dave - I think we're only talking a 1/8" veneer over swamp ash or alder.

[FernandoDuarte]

My opinion???




Looks AWESOME!!!!!

[Philly Q]

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.

[HTH AMPS]

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. 

[AndyR]

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)

[Plexi Ken]

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

[Philly Q]

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....)

[hunter]

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.

[Sifu Ben]

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.

[gingataff]

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.

[WezV]

(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:

[Philly Q]

(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!

[FernandoDuarte]

I'm at home now, so I got a pic or two about: