Budget Tele

  • Thread starter Thread starter kcearl
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If it's in the budget, I think the Squire Vintage Vibes, especially the Teles, are awesome for the money. The Vintage Modified, OTOH, seem like cheap guitars, but it just depends on what feels good to you. That being said, I have 2 Squier Affinity (the cheapest of the cheap) Teles, and I wouldn't want to part with either of them. Of course, one has (soon to be replaced) Texas Specials in it, and the other (with a completely redone neck) has Fender Custom Shops. :D
 
Get one of the $299 Squier Teles.

Very suprised how nice they are for the price.
 
Ive liked squires before...in fact my first guitar was a jap strat back in the 80s...

Im gonna research a few mentioned here..I fancy the guitar fetish option as I like the company, especially the bargain bin lol
 
Mexican Teles are cheap and easy to fix up IF you spend some time playing them in the store... I'm sure you know this, but the QC on those Mexican gtrs can sway wildly from the boat paddle with strings to an absolute dream. Find the one that compliments you, it's out there. Then rip its guts out, and for a total investment of 400-500 you can have a great Tele.

If the neck is great, all you'll really want to mess with is the pups and the pots/input jack. Good guitar techs make their name fixing those Mexican dreams up.

Key is to really be discriminating on the neck... play them all till they close the doors and turn off the lights. Then have them hold your favorite, and go to another store and repeat. If that's an option in your location that is...
 
My Tele (see my av) only cost $279 new with hardshell case. Of course that was in 1972!!
It's worth $4K-5K now!
 
If my recent experience with Fender's standard line is anything to go by, get another brand. Sorry Fender fans, but this is a POS, that, evidently, met all of their quality control inspections. So if there's anything wrong, contact the carrier, they must have done it. Just the stuff on the box. Said this bass has been inspected and meets all our standards. Huh? So the warranty is meaningless? The pick guard doesn't sit flat? The gloss finish has no shine?
 
Looks like I've been mentioned several times in this thread so I'll add my comments!:D

I have the GFS XV-600 that is the same as Lt. Bob's Tele-only it's black metalflake, it's a workhorse guitar, whether for gigs or recording. I installed coil split pots in the Dream 180 p'up's and it's very versatile. The neck is a little slimmer than a standard Tele-it has more of a Strat feel, but it's really comfortable..
IMG_1848.jpg


I also have the GFS XV-835, which I found on the local CL-the chance to play it before I bought it won me over. It has a maple neck with a poplar body-also it has a maple veneer top on the body-it has a nice high end like a Tele should!
The neck is more 'C' shaped than the XV-600-great feel to it.
XV-835-1.jpg


Either would make a nice addition to your guitar collection-good luck with your final choice!:cool:
 
Lookin to score a cheapy is ok, just DO NOT buy one over the computer.
Squiers vary and even some classic vibes have horrible necks. One has a polownia wood body....ghastly light. Feels like a toy.
You need to play the actual guitar you are going to buy. Having said that, I own a top shelf custom tele and used to have a Jay Turser, The JT was fabulous after a pup swap. The affinity has the weakest tone you'll ever hear.
Rondo's do make nice instruments. I have a '62 jazz bass copy and it is a fine guitar. Very cheap electronics though. Put in mexi stuff and it slams now.
 
Can anyone recommend a budget tele...I might dump everything in a short space of time so I dont want to fork out for an expensive tele...any suggestions for something half decent?

If this was 15 years ago, I'd say Samick without hesitation. This being 2010 and consumer products being cheap Chinese bullshit, I can't tell you.
 
I have a few GF things. The thinline tele which actually is a very good playing/sounding git plus it's red metalflake! That alone makes it great!
:D

My Buzzard is eye searing red with a gold metallic. Gold hardware too. And it's a 1990, series 1, with the wenge neck.
 
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