Tele

[Bunny64]

I currently don't own an electric guitar and you know how things come in threes.
Well i have recently purchased a new acoustic and a classical guitar crossover. Love them to bits but I thought what the proverbial. I quite fancy a Telecaster electric to complete the set. Nothing fancy as I will be new to electric playing so any suggestions to satisfy this particular attack of GAS or should that be ELECTRIC! Looking around I see that nut widths seem lower on Telecasters> I am ok with either 1/3/4 or 1/11/16 on my acoustics. What should I be looking at in the budget range that would have good pick-ups?

[maxtheaxe]

Originally Posted by Bunny64

I currently don't own an electric guitar and you know how things come in threes.
Well i have recently purchased a new acoustic and a classical guitar crossover. Love them to bits but I thought what the proverbial. I quite fancy a Telecaster electric to complete the set. Nothing fancy as I will be new to electric playing so any suggestions to satisfy this particular attack of GAS or should that be ELECTRIC! Looking around I see that nut widths seem lower on Telecasters> I am ok with either 1/3/4 or 1/11/16 on my acoustics. What should I be looking at in the budget range that would have good pick-ups?

I really like the "Nashville Deluxe" Telecasters with 3 pickups and a 5-way blade switch; they're MIM, so not terribly expensive, especially if you can find a good used one. The earlier versions of this came with USA Tex-Mex Tele pickups in the bridge and neck, and a middle pickup that's a Texas Special Strat pickup, RWRP so you get some hum cancellation in positions 2 and 4. Also, if it makes a difference to you, the "Honey Blonde" color had an Ash body...the others are Alder.

The later versions come with Fender Noiseless Tele pups...I'm not certain when they switched to these or what generation of noiseless they are.

[Dru Edwards]

Most of the electrics on the market are 1 11/16". Neck profiles differ greater though.

One thing to consider is an amp. Expect to get ~ 50% of your tone from your amp.

What do you consider budget range? That will help us focus. Some Squiers and the Fender Mexican tend to perform well in the budget range.

[Bunny64]

Many thanks. I will look into those. Second hand i think but should be doable.

[PTony]

The new “Player Series” from Fender are ridiculously good guitars with many of the same offerings as the US models. 22 Frets, Alnico 5 pickups, 2 point trems on the Strats, outstanding quality. Makes it hard to justify the US models.

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Most of the electrics on the market are 1 11/16". Neck profiles differ greater though.

One thing to consider is an amp. Expect to get ~ 50% of your tone from your amp.

What do you consider budget range? That will help us focus. Some Squiers and the Fender Mexican tend to perform well in the budget range.

Many thanks for those points. I suppose as a novice electric player maybe I should ask what's the bare minimum i need to spend to get a reasonably performing instrument or what should I not consider? I'm thinking £300 UK sterling or thereabouts

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Bunny64

Many thanks for those points. I suppose as a novice electric player maybe I should ask what's the bare minimum i need to spend to get a reasonably performing instrument or what should I not consider? I'm thinking £300 UK sterling or thereabouts

Squire Classic Vibe series always has great reviews. Guessing a Made in Mexico Fender is going to be out of your price range though. Are there any G&Ls in the UK?

Buy used if you have the option. It's the same as with acoustics - great deals and you can usually sell for what you paid for if you decide to move on.

It's an exciting time shopping for you new electric. One recommendation is to go to your local shop(s) and play as many electrics as you can. You might find something that surprises you ... like an SG or Les Paul .

[Caddy]

Originally Posted by PTony

The new “Player Series” from Fender are ridiculously good guitars with many of the same offerings as the US models. 22 Frets, Alnico 5 pickups, outstanding quality. Makes it hard to justify the US models.

The above!

[PTony]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Buy used if you have the option. It's the same as with acoustics - great deals and you can usually sell for what you paid for if you decide to move on.

Agreed 100%

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by PTony

The new “Player Series” from Fender are ridiculously good guitars with many of the same offerings as the US models. 22 Frets, Alnico 5 pickups, 2 point trems on the Strats, outstanding quality. Makes it hard to justify the US models.

Ok thanks I'll check them out. Decided to go and try some models out tomorrow to get a feeling for the guitar. The narrow necks worry me slightly.
Hopefully allay my fears of too narrow nut width

[Jaden]

The only Telecaster (actually called a “Deluxe”, some would say not a ‘real’ Tele) that I have that feels like it has a true 1 11/16” nut width, has a wide 12” radius fretboard. The usual 9.5 or 7.25 (increasingly rounded) feels closer to 1 5/8” (more narrow) nut width. A very different feel to many acoustic guitars, and as Dru says (above) try out different kinds of guitars, you may find a Gibson SG style more to your liking. Telecasters share some similar appearances, but there are differences model to model, and an amp is a good 50% of the equation.

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Squire Classic Vibe series always has great reviews. Guessing a Made in Mexico Fender is going to be out of your price range though. Are there any G&Ls in the UK?

Buy used if you have the option. It's the same as with acoustics - great deals and you can usually sell for what you paid for if you decide to move on.

It's an exciting time shopping for you new electric. One recommendation is to go to your local shop(s) and play as many electrics as you can. You might find something that surprises you ... like an SG or Les Paul .

Yes you are right. Little trip planned for tomorrow. Thanks.

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Jaden

The only Telecaster (actually called a “Deluxe”, some would say not a ‘real’ Tele) that I have that feels like it has a true 1 11/16” nut width, has a wide 12” radius fretboard. The usual 9.5 or 7.25 (increasingly rounded) feels closer to 1 5/8” (more narrow) nut width. A very different feel to many acoustic guitars, and as Dru says (above) try out different kinds of guitars, you may find a Gibson SG style more to your liking. Telecasters share some similar appearances, but there are differences model to model, and an amp is a good 50% of the equation.

Thanks I'll get back tomorrow evening with some thoughts and maybe more questions

[Steel and wood]

If you have GAS for a Telecaster then that's what you should get.

Just about every Telecaster (and Stratocaster) guitar that I've picked up had a nice "C" shape neck profile making it easy to play. (Or to get used to). The only Telecaster that was hard to play was a custom shop relic Telecaster at my local music store which had a neck like a baseball bat.

MIM Fenders are great value for money compared to their USA made counterparts. (Although I've noticed here in Australia that they are more expensive than they used to be). New or second hand, that's what I'd be doing.

Good luck!

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

If you have GAS for a Telecaster then that's what you should get.

Just about every Telecaster (and Stratocaster) guitar that I've picked up had a nice "C" shape neck profile making it easy to play. (Or to get used to). The only Telecaster that was hard to play was a custom shop relic Telecaster at my local music store which a neck like a baseball bat.

MIM Fenders are great value for money compared to their USA made counterparts. (Although I've noticed here in Australia that they are more expensive than they used to be). New or second hand, that's what I'd be doing.

Good luck!

I agree just need to try for size. I'm thinking classic vibe or mim at the moment
Seen a few on ebay that might be possible contenders. Wish me look. Of course then a suitable amp?