NGD: Fender Baja Telecaster

[ataylor]

Picked this beauty up about a week and a half ago. I actually owned one seven years ago but had to let it go because it was a boat anchor at nearly 10 pounds. This one's easy on both the eyes and the shoulder at about 7.4 pounds.

For those who may not be familiar with this particular model, it's a Mexico-made Fender Telecaster that was cooked up by one of the guys in their custom shop and comes with custom shop pickups that are just fantastic. It's also got 4-way pickup switching that gives you a fatter humbucker-esque dual pickup sound.

The neck on this model is also wonderful, it's the thickest neck you'll find outside of the custom shop and is great for someone like me that plays primarily acoustic. Super easy to play, instantly feels comfortable and familiar.

If you've ever been on the fence about a Telecaster, the Baja is a great option -- it's no wonder that this has been a very popular model amongst the Tele aficionados ever since it was introduced a while back.

Just gotta get a cool Fender rectangle case and one of those bridge covers to put on for fun now and then

[Steel and wood]

Yep, don't need to see the photo to know what a great guitar it is.

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

Yep, don't need to see the photo to know what a great guitar it is.

I think I got the image sorted out. Flickr seems to always be changing how they let you link images...

[Dadzmad]

Very nice - I've talked myself out of one of these every month for the past few years, but that my change over the winter

[ataylor]

Snagged a black/black G&G case for it.

Definitely feels just a little more "Fender" coming in and out of the iconic rectangular case

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by Dadzmad

Very nice - I've talked myself out of one of these every month for the past few years, but that my change over the winter

Do it

I was in the same boat for a long time and finally decided that it was inevitable -- I had to have that sparkle and twang of those custom shop pickups!

I'm definitely an acoustic guy when it's all said and done but this guitar really makes playing electric fun.

[Smitty70]

Enjoy your tele im really happy with mine.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by ataylor

...it's the thickest neck you'll find outside of the custom shop...

You had me right up to here - if it came with an early '61 1-5/8" flat-C profile I'd be at GC right now waiting for the doors to open...

BTW, if you'd like something with more of a vintage vibe check out one of these:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GWJMELEC

A whole lot cheaper than the Fender tweed case, and it has the early-50's look...

Use it well, often, and LOUD...

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

You had me right up to here - if it came with an early '61 1-5/8" flat-C profile I'd be at GC right now waiting for the doors to open...

You should give one a try anyway, you might be surprised. It's a really comfy "soft-V" shape that just feels great. Another option if the Baja checks all the other boxes would be to swap the neck for something you like better -- I imagine it wouldn't take long to find a happy buyer for the Baja neck on eBay or a guitar forum or the like.

Also, Fender recently started making a 60s Baja Telecaster -- it's more or less the same blueprint but with a slimmer neck profile, rosewood fretboard, and different pickups (I believe 52 and 58 AV series). It comes in a really nice faded sonic blue and a couple other colors.

[jdto]

Nice guitar! I have an FSR Butterscotch, but the Baja with the thick neck is intriguing. Is it a heel-adjust truss rod, or is it at the headstock?

[Dru Edwards]

Sweet! Enjoy your new Tele!

[ataylor]

Originally Posted by jdto

Nice guitar! I have an FSR Butterscotch, but the Baja with the thick neck is intriguing. Is it a heel-adjust truss rod, or is it at the headstock?

It's adjusted at the heel. Those FSR Teles are nice too!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by ataylor

You should give one a try anyway, you might be surprised. It's a really comfy "soft-V" shape that just feels great. Another option if the Baja checks all the other boxes would be to swap the neck for something you like better -- I imagine it wouldn't take long to find a happy buyer for the Baja neck on eBay or a guitar forum or the like.

Also, Fender recently started making a 60s Baja Telecaster -- it's more or less the same blueprint but with a slimmer neck profile, rosewood fretboard, and different pickups (I believe 52 and 58 AV series). It comes in a really nice faded sonic blue and a couple other colors.

Thanks, but it's the '52-53 vibe that I'm looking for - used to own one of the first late-CBS '52 Reissues (all the cosmetics/electronics but with the 1-5/8" slim neck profile), that I had rewired with a 5-way switch to get both series and Gretsch-type tones; traded it toward an early '47 very-low A-Series (white label) non-cut L-7, which I later traded on my two Rainsongs - in retrospect I should've kept the Tele...

[jdto]

Originally Posted by ataylor

It's adjusted at the heel. Those FSR Teles are nice too!

Thanks. I like mine, although I suspect I'd prefer the pickups on the Baja. The heel adjust seems like a PITA to me, but I suppose you can do it by unscrewing the pickguard?

Either way, sweet Tele! I hope it brings you much enjoyment.

[jpjr50]

Can't go wrong with a Tele.

I still play mine every day, got it a year ago and still addicted.