???Tele????

[pdadda]

I went to a guitar store today to pick out what I want to add to my collection. Currently, my only electric is a Gibson Sonex. I tried a ton of guitars, and was surprised to find that I really liked the Fender Telecasters. They were a bit limited in their tele selection, so I have a few questions.
1. Has anyone tried a tele with the S-1 switching? I tried out a HSS strat with it, and several of the in-store models had the buttons damaged to various extents. So I am a bit leary of the S1 button on a live guitar. On the tele's, is the S1 button the volume knob. On a tele with 2 single coils, what is the advantage of the S1?
2. The highway-1 tele has a different bridge. I really need a guitar that will hold its tune, even with lots of bends. Which bridge would suit me better?
3. Are the pickups on the american deluxes pretty good? I hope to go to another store this week to test out some of the other tele's, but I just wanted some opinions here. Thanks in advance.

[pdadda]

OK, one more question: How does the '72 reissue compare to the original?

[Outlaws]

All I can say is that I hated the look and everything associated with Telecasters.

Then I played one. A '52 RI that was so perfect I bought it and now love it to death.

[tdukex]

If you like Tele's, you should at least play a G&L ASAT.

[Easto]

I love Teles' and G&L. I own one of both. I replaced the pickups in my American Standard Tele' with some Rio Grande Muy Grande's and this thing screams. Just take your time and play different ones at different stores and find one you like. The S-1 switching can be replicated by any good guitar tech. It's basically a push/pull pot, pretty simple. So if that's what you're looking for... having the guitar you finally decide on tweaked to do that is no big deal (providing the pickups allow that configuration of wiring).

[mishagolin]

Telecasters with S1 switching:

the purpose of the S1 switch is to change the wiring of the pickups in a tele from parallel to series. with the pickups in series their resistances are added together. however, in parallel the reciprocal of the resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of each pickup. because the total resistance changes the current changes.

on a single coil tele the S1 switch in parallel produces a "hotter" signal than in series.

I have an American Deluxe Tele with the S1 switch and i love it. i haven't had any problems with the switch. i love playing it in parallel because it just sounds thicker. its a slightly less twangy tele, but its versatile enough to sound like a normal tele when needed.

[pdadda]

I went to GC and played some more tele's. I fell in love with the American Ash tele. I would have bought it right then, but I still want to try out the 72 RI, both custom and deluxe. Also, I have not played on one of the HWY1's yet.

[Easto]

Originally Posted by pdadda

I went to GC and played some more tele's. I fell in love with the American Ash tele. I would have bought it right then, but I still want to try out the 72 RI, both custom and deluxe. Also, I have not played on one of the HWY1's yet.

That's the way to do it. When you find the exact guitar you want it makes you really feel good that you made a wise decision. Don't forget go try a few G&L Asat's if you can. The build quality if awesome! Go to the G&L website and look for an authorized dealer in your area. I think you'll be very surprised (I was). If your planning on spending the kind of money for the Fenders you'll find several G&Ls in the same price range.

http://www.glguitars.com/frameset.htm

[paul zahl]

My brother gave me a butterscotch G&L semi-hollow ASAT with the gun oil Birds-Eye -Maple neck and it's the nicest goddam guitar I've EVER touched.....and I didn't even like Teles.....I used to think I liked SG's ....But after I got BB (butterball) SG's feel like rubber-necked toys...Of course I don't mean to offend any SG lovers....But My G&L (s) are wonderful.I have a Legacy that is as nice as ANY strat I've ever played...Last week a guy recording in my studio offered me an SG AND a Les Paul Special for Butterball.....I told him to forget it!...NOBODY will ever get my butterscotch ASAT away from me.......Leo was on the right track with his last company.And we should all salute him!!!!! RIP LEO....You Ruled The Roost!!!!!!

[pdadda]

OK, so I found a store that had some G&L's, and the ASAT Special is fricking incredible. Those P-90-like pickups sound great.

[paul zahl]

Told Ya.....Find a good ASAT and you will NEVER look back.....Leo Said "After STRAT after TELE"(ASAT) He wasn't kidding around....Play a Legacy or an ASAT and call me and tell me about how great Fender's are now....G&L's are SWEET..........and I'm NOT on the payroll.....Leo Lives.....In My Studio Every DAY.......

[Bianchi Joe]

For what it's worth, I love my American Series Tele (without S1 switching, but with DeltaTone). I looked at the Hwy 1 model, but I'm not a fan of the three-barrel bridge, and I found that the 6-saddle on the US teles is much nicer than on the Mexican ones. To me, though, it's all about that satin-smooth neck with the rounded edges--it just inspires you to play without fatigue, without fighting the instrument--absolutely my favorite guitar purchase in the last 30 years. Everyone should have a Tele in their collection!

[pdadda]

OK, here's my deal. I REALLY want the ASAT. But I only have $400 right now. My band has some gigs lined up, but we just discovered we have to be out of our free practice space in a month. We might be looking at a high rehearsal space fee. I NEED a new guitar quickly, since my old Sonex hates staying in tune, and it looks pretty unprofessional to tune in between each song (I'm no Hendrix). What do you think of these options?
1. Get a Standard Tele for now
2. Get a Tribute ASAT
3. Something else

I might just have to get a credit card and go ahead and get the ASAT. But if I get the ASAT, I'm gonna special order it (custom), and it will cost around $1400.
I'm wondering if one of these other guitars will do the job for a while or if I would just be wasting my money. The most important things for me are tone and ability to stay in tune. Oh yeah, and playability. So there go saddle bridges.

[hixmix]

I love the factory, "noisy" pickups that come with the new American Standard Teles.

[Sloan]

Don't leave out the Squier teles either.
Just 'cause their cheap doesn't mean they suck.

I played one of those Black & Chrome Squier teles a few months back and it was great. Comparable to about any Mexi Fender I've ever played. Sounded great through that Hot Rod Deville. But, then again, almost anything sounds good through that amp.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/519619/

[pdadda]

So...any opinions on the Tribute ASAT's?

[trahx]

Originally Posted by pdadda

OK, here's my deal. I REALLY want the ASAT. But I only have $400 right now. My band has some gigs lined up, but we just discovered we have to be out of our free practice space in a month. We might be looking at a high rehearsal space fee. I NEED a new guitar quickly, since my old Sonex hates staying in tune, and it looks pretty unprofessional to tune in between each song (I'm no Hendrix). What do you think of these options?
1. Get a Standard Tele for now
2. Get a Tribute ASAT
3. Something else

I might just have to get a credit card and go ahead and get the ASAT. But if I get the ASAT, I'm gonna special order it (custom), and it will cost around $1400.
I'm wondering if one of these other guitars will do the job for a while or if I would just be wasting my money. The most important things for me are tone and ability to stay in tune. Oh yeah, and playability. So there go saddle bridges.

I have a lefty Standard Tele with the following:
* Am Std tuners & saddles
* Lindy Fralin Blues Special pups
* Bone nut
* Pro setup
Total invested $400 and it plays like a dream (and stays in tune all night) - It has become my # 1 player over my Am Deluxe Strat and Les Paul Custom!

[pdadda]

OK, I might have founf the money to go with the G&L ASAT. However, I am fairly colorblind, so picking a finish isn't easy. I am thinking blue for this guitar. Any recommendations on finishes? You can check out the finishes at www.glguitars.com
I should probably mention that I want an ASAT special with a maple fret board.

[lesterpaul]

if you're sold on the G&L go for it,but you can take a mexi tele and go far,get some fender locking tuners and an LSR roller nut, and most important,have it setup properly and you can get a really good guitar that you won't have to tune most likely at all, unless you just thrash the crap out of it ...not trashing G&L because i would love to have a Will Ray signature model but if money is tight modified mexi tele would be my route ...just my two cents

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by pdadda

OK, I might have founf the money to go with the G&L ASAT. However, I am fairly colorblind, so picking a finish isn't easy. I am thinking blue for this guitar. Any recommendations on finishes? You can check out the finishes at www.glguitars.com
I should probably mention that I want an ASAT special with a maple fret board.

Check out these guys: http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/

They have great prices, great selection, and also have a 100% trade-up policy that I've utilized four times.

[Easto]

Like tdukex said...

Check out Buffalo Bros. They are in my area an I have visited their store once. They'll quote you over the phone for a custom setup. A stock Asat Special (new) should only run about $800 - $850. G&L's come with a case and if you buy from them you won't have to pay tax since you're in another state. Only shipping. Plus they are an authorized dealer so all warranties apply.

[pdadda]

I assume they don't offer financing though. I am leaning back away from the ASAT again. My wife is fricking rad, and she was ready to refinance our car and take out a loan for me to get it. Then I realized I am just being a selfish ass. I don't do music full time. I hope to one day, and maybe then I can afford an ASAT. I have not been able to find a place where I can get an ASAT at a decent price with interest free financing for a while. Sam Ash charges around $1500 for what I can buy at another store for $1000.
So I think I am back to what I can buy at GC. Most likely that Ash american telecaster. It is a great guitar, and I don't have to put my family in massive debt to do so. Thanks for all the feedback and opinions.

[SteveK]

I've got an Ash American Tele. Great guitar stock, and if you do the upgrades in stages it won't break the bank either! I scored a set of Joe Barden pickups off of E-Bay, and also added a set of locking Fender/Sperzel tuners. Dead quiet, stays in tune, and sounds GREAT!!! Kinman makes some pretty good noiseless pickups also. Good luck!

[lesterpaul]

Originally Posted by pdadda

I assume they don't offer financing though. I am leaning back away from the ASAT again. My wife is fricking rad, and she was ready to refinance our car and take out a loan for me to get it. Then I realized I am just being a selfish ass. I don't do music full time. I hope to one day, and maybe then I can afford an ASAT. I have not been able to find a place where I can get an ASAT at a decent price with interest free financing for a while. Sam Ash charges around $1500 for what I can buy at another store for $1000.
So I think I am back to what I can buy at GC. Most likely that Ash american telecaster. It is a great guitar, and I don't have to put my family in massive debt to do so. Thanks for all the feedback and opinions.

Shelby Music Center will finance it for up to 6 months no interest through a couple places, it's maybe 45 mins to an hour from Charlotte and they are an authorized G&L dealer, they just had a clinic with Will Ray back in the summer,
dude if you want it and she's behind you it wouldn't hurt to talk to them and see what they can swing ,and you would be supporting the small shops...lol
i know for a fact they have a natural kinda honey finished one right now

[pdadda]

OK, I'll try giving Shelby a call. But I'm still not sure I could pay it off in 6 months.
On another note, I borrowed a friend's really souped up custom fender strat for a gig. Well, I discovered I am definitely not a strat guy. Maybe it was just his single coils, but I could not get a clean tone I liked out of it to save my life. Medium level gain sounded pretty good though. No offense to you strat players. I have heard many a person play the hell out of them. It just doesn't suit me as well as a tele.