How to get a REAL tele

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So I want a tele for gigs and studio stuff. But do I want a brand new tele from Fender? Is that even the same telecaster that we love to hear in blues and rockabilly recordings?

I've hardly looked, but it seems I'll be paying $15,000 to $25,000 for an authentic 60's tele.

So now the question is: Do I get one built? Where do I start?
 
I don't play anything else. Great guitars. Just slabs of wood really. I've got an old US '78 that I got for not too much dough after looking around, but I've played newer Jap Fenders that sound and play just as good. I actually prefer them over the newer US built models (shock! horror!)

Avoid the Mex ones. I've got one and it just isn't built anywhere near as good.
 
If you're talking custom built from an independent luthier that's hardly "authentic".

Find one you like and make it do what you want it do do. Change the whole wiring harness if that helps.

BTW...Rockabilly died in 1959 so yer a year off!!!:D
 
Also, I'd say this. You can get the sound you want from any Tele really - 95% of tone is those things on the ends of your arms...

Don't get too caught up in the gear...
 
New American-made Teles are fine guitars. They've got plenty of vibe and spank. You don't need to spend a fortune for an early one.

Some people experiment with old-style string saddles and aftermarket pickups but these are both relatively cheap experiments.
 
MattNZ said:
Also, I'd say this. You can get the sound you want from any Tele really - 95% of tone is those things on the ends of your arms...

Don't get too caught up in the gear...
Click to expand...

Yes. That and an old Fender Twin. If you play a Tele through a Line 6 or a triple rectum-frier it ain't gonna sound like a Tele should. I call it the "Quack Factor".
 
favoritemunch said:
So I want a tele for gigs and studio stuff. But do I want a brand new tele from Fender? Is that even the same telecaster that we love to hear in blues and rockabilly recordings?

I've hardly looked, but it seems I'll be paying $15,000 to $25,000 for an authentic 60's tele.

So now the question is: Do I get one built? Where do I start?
Click to expand...

This is just a personal opinion from a guy that doesn't know you. From the sort of questions you asked I advise you to do this: Get yourself a real live American made Fender Telecaster and ride her 'til she won't get you where you want to go. Brand new or recent used is fine. Get a Highway One or an American standard. Don't worry about the premium versions. Both are under a grand and are perfectly serviceable guitars. Some time later you may want something more specific but I'll bet you won't want to turn loose of this one to get it.
 
I would second the Highway One tele. I've a Nashville Deluxe (MIM) and it's okay, had some grief with regards to the construction end of things. But the new Highway Ones are awesome.
 
I bought a Mexican Tele and it works just fine. 400 bucks plus hardshell case. It plays just as good as an American Tele as far as I can tell. I have had a few American made ones in the past and I have been playing for 35 years so Im not a newbie. I have had expensive strats stolen in the past so Im reluctant to buy expensive guitars anymore. However you have to try the guitar out and love it right off no matter what it is or you will never like it. I am replacing the single coil on my tele like I did some strats with a Hotrails stacked. The stock single coils on any fender I have never liked. But the important thing on any guitar is of course the neck...
 
'52 Reissue in butterscotch

Ash body
cloth wire
RI pickups

plenty of spank for the dollar.

If you've got some more cash, can't go wrong
with a Danny Gatton signature series, or a
Nocaster.
 
I think Blade, makes quite good fender knock offs, even if they have a slightly differnt design.

I have the Texas series in my store now, and I simply love it its great playing and sounding.

Btw I`m an owner of several fenders and have been playing em all my musical life.

I`ve also had quite a few musicans fender playin as well as me, try it out and they all give full props to it.


try it out, over here they`re half the price of Fender.
 
Corndog said:
Yes. That and an old Fender Twin. If you play a Tele through a Line 6 or a triple rectum-frier it ain't gonna sound like a Tele should. I call it the "Quack Factor".
Click to expand...


Didn't he say "DON"T get too caught up in the gear?"
 
Hmmm. Lately I've been looking at Japanese teles for my 13 year old daughter. Those pink and blue floral ones are actually pretty nice. Not too pricey either. Of course she did say the other day that she wanted an early 70's thinline - and "not a reissue, Dad!" Yeah, right.:rolleyes:
 
Myx62 said:
I bought a Mexican Tele and it works just fine. 400 bucks plus hardshell case. It plays just as good as an American Tele as far as I can tell. I have had a few American made ones in the past and I have been playing for 35 years so Im not a newbie. I have had expensive strats stolen in the past so Im reluctant to buy expensive guitars anymore. However you have to try the guitar out and love it right off no matter what it is or you will never like it. I am replacing the single coil on my tele like I did some strats with a Hotrails stacked. The stock single coils on any fender I have never liked. But the important thing on any guitar is of course the neck...
Click to expand...

If you go with a Mexican you may have to play quite a few to have this experience. However, there are some terrific Mexican Fenders out there.

I use a G&L ASAT myself, but if I had never had a real bygum American made Fender Telecaster at least once in my life, I'd still be wondering about it.
 
favoritemunch said:
So I want a tele for gigs and studio stuff. But do I want a brand new tele from Fender? Is that even the same telecaster that we love to hear in blues and rockabilly recordings?

I've hardly looked, but it seems I'll be paying $15,000 to $25,000 for an authentic 60's tele.

So now the question is: Do I get one built? Where do I start?
Click to expand...

http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0303025507

Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster.

Ignore the Squier on the headstock and go try one.

There's a lot of buzz on this one over on TDPRI. I spotted one in the local shop and couldn't let go of it.

$299.00 and it's every bit as nice as my ASAT.
 
stevieb said:
Didn't he say "DON"T get too caught up in the gear?"
Click to expand...

Haha, the kicker is, a Rectifier actually has a rather nice, surprisingly Fender-y clean, and the "raw" mode dialed right is the kind of thing that David Gilmour could live happily with. They're not just a super-deep chugging metal amp. ;)

Don't discount the Mexican teles, play a whole bunch of them, and every once in a while you'll find one that's pretty special. I almost grabbed one myself a couple months ago - felt and sounded awesome, but there was a high fret on the 14th that was a bit problematic, and I didn't feel like droopping $400 on a guitar that I'd immediately have to take in for fretwork (and this was a Guitar Center, so I couldn't very well ask them to do it, lol).

That said, have you given Warmoth a look? I've been meaning to build a parts Strat or Tele for ages, and the only complete Warmoth guitar I've ever played blew my mind. They do great work... Also, if I was in the market for a new Fender today, I'd be looking at G&L too.
 
Stay away from the Japan made Fernandes Telecaster, I'm buying them all.
 
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