NTD

[BigB]

T for Telecaster...

This one is really a partscaster - Fender parts (neck, bridge, control plate and electronic) from various era and a MJT body. I don't care much for the relic look (which is quite a good job FWIW - and hopefully only "light" relic) but I just couldn't let cosmetic considerations get in the way: it happens to be by far the best Telecaster - and one of the three best guitars - I've ever played. Unplugged, it's very well balanced, quite bright and snappy but with a good depth and quite some weight to the notes too, has lot of sustain (for an F-type guitar at least), and is very very lively and resonant - you can litterally feel the wood singing when you play it.

The current pups - Fender nocaster '51 - are "not bad" but still light years behind my 62RI's BG52s, so I'll swap them this WE and well, it might just end up being the perfect 50s-style telly. 

[Kiichi]

Oh that is just lovely. My Tele Gas just flare up hugely. I really need to sell my tap guitar that I donīt use and get a tele like that.

Huge congrats on finding such a beauty!

[AndyR]

Nice one, very nice one.

I strummed an absolutely wonderful example of the 50s Roadworn tele a few weeks ago - behaved much like you describe... Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that I had the budget to buy it at the time (although the keeper of the budget was stood right next to me at that moment!).

I was OK, I didn't even feel terrible GAS pains - I haven't been in "guitar buying" mode for a couple of years.

But over the last few weeks, funds have been officially ear-marked as "Andrew's Music Money" (she does holidays, I buy guitars, and she's just started organising next year's big holiday with her best friend - so Andrew has the OK to spend similar amounts on "stuff"). I didn't really think about the tele, because I needed a fretted bass. But then the budget turned out to be more than I was expecting it to be... (must be some big ole holiday!)

So, anyway, while I was deliberating over the bass I bought last Saturday, I went back to the shop where I'd seen this tele (aware that I had the budget, even if I bought the bass) ... But, alas, some discerning person had already bought the thing... not surprising really, it was one hell of a geetar... (If only she'd TOLD me that I had funds that day we were looking at it!!)

I've been trying to see the silver lining to this sad tale ever since finding it was gone - all I can come up with is that it would have retired at least two of my favourite teles!


Congratulations on finding such a telecaster and actually snapping it up!

[Telerocker]

Plain tele's are the dogs bollocks. Love it.

[Mr. Air]

Really nice looking tele. Congrats, congrats 

[dave_mc]

nice :D

[BigB]

Thanks gentlemen 

@AndyR: sorry you missed that roadworn. I've been thru that a couple times already - when you put your hands on a really great guitar, cannot afford it ATM, manage to raise the funds just to find out it's already gone - and that's not fun. I've been the lucky one this time - very lucky FWIW since I got it for a pretty good price.

@Mr.Air: I have to say I didn't pay much attention to how it looked when I bought it - my luthier put it in my hands saying "you HAVE to try this one", I played three chords and two licks before he found a cable and plugged it, and I was already sold. But yes, now that you mention it, it does look nice too :-)

Now the question is: if I put my BGF52s on it, which BKPs am I going to get for my '62RI ?-)

[Telerocker]

A Boss-set for the 62RI?

[BigB]

A Boss-set for the 62RI?

Well, I've been thinking about it for a couple days now, and ATM my best bets are either Yardbirds (vintage correct) or the "new" BGF50s (which could also fit this new lil'red telly, since I really love the BGF52s on the '62RI) - but I first have to try the BGF52s on the "lil'red rooster" one.

[Telerocker]

The Yardbird-neck is quite mellow, I read. Actually I would like to try the new BG50's one day, but I don't like my telepickups too dark, so I hope they have enough chime.

[AndyR]

The funny thing was (on the missed Roadworn) - I could afford it, just didn't know it at the time!

On pickups for the 62ri, I'm biased, but Yardbirds... that's what's in mine.

It makes a very versatile guitar - rocky, jangly pop, blues, anything you want really. It's excellent for layering parts - they blend very well, and clearly. The neck is GORGEOUS - you can play scrunchy rhythm on it without it getting muddy. The bridge is very musical - it's not so "in yer face" raunchy as the Baja with the old Flat 50s, you have to work it hard to get it angry, but you can do it if you need to ... I regard it more as a rock/pop guitar, the Baja as a blues/rock guitar...

Does any of that make sense? (Been at the brandy!)

[38thBeatle]

Thumbs aloft from me too.  Plain and simple and workmanlike.