Tele's have a great workmanlike vibe and as has been said, have a wide range of tones which is odd when you think that they have such a simple layout. In my younger days I disliked the look of them but have grown to love them and when I bought one several years ago, I was amazed at just how adaptable they were. I maintain that you can get some almost Les Paul like tones out of a Tele with the judicious use of the tone control. Fenders do cover a lot of ground generally but in my view, the Tele does so more so than a Strat though playing wise, I prefer a Strat.