First Telecaster Advice*Update NGD and NAD*

[rwmct]

I have a 1994 to 1995 MIM, black with white pick guard and the Maple neck. Top loader bridge. I like it a lot. So basic. I had stopped trying to learn to play and it sat in the gig bag in a closet for over 25 years. A couple of minor adjustments and it was good to go. I love Teles.

Anyway, I would be shocked if you cant find a very nice MIM Tele used for well under your price point.

I have no idea about MIA Teles that would be used at your price point. Seems like there have been so many variations, you need a PhD in "Tele" to give advice on the subject.

[polarred21]

So today I drove to my local guitar store I deal with, 30 miles away. They are knowledgeable and just wanted to get my hands on some Tele's for comparison. I also don't mind spending a little extra there for the service and help they have provided me.

They only had 3 and neither was really what I wanted but I did play an American Standard that I think was used. Maple neck with the gloss finish on the back which I don't like as good as satin but sounded nice running thru a solid state VOX that the sales guy hooked me up with.

I have to travel 60 miles to get to my nearest 2 GC's and a Sam Ash where I can hopefully find more to compare. Hopeful to do that in the near future, not in the biggest hurry, still in the research phase.

I really like that blue burst G&L posted above, that's a 90 mile drive so a little too far. I may end up buying on line but need to play a few of them first.

[polarred21]

Originally Posted by Jaden

Your FS830 must be a nice guitar. .

Yes it is. In the end of my rack so it gets played quite often. Can be seen here:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=494400

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by polarred21

Yes it is. In the end of my rack so it gets played quite often. Can be seen here:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=494400

Nice. I miss my FS800 sometimes but could never get the plain string response to soften up after regular vigorous practice to break in the top, the volume of which raised some eyebrows amoung my neighbors a considerable distance away on a large acerage bordering on Canadian wilderness originally settled by some American draft dodgers back in ‘69 and now long gone. Your rosewood model will be even sweeter.

[M Sarad]

I just bought a new/used Butterscotch Standard MIM with the addition of Fender Noiseless pick ups for $450. It came with a gig bag, a Fender braided chord, three sets of Elixir electric strings, and a strap.

The owner probably bought it new for $649. The a Noiseless pups added $110-130 to his investment. His first round of ads had it for $649. It sat for a few weeks and disappeared. When he reposted it at AGF at a $200 discount, I jumped on it.

Yesterday I returned it to DADGAD. I might go back to solo gigs with the Tele and my acoustic repertoire. Sounds absolutely great.

[grayback]

I have a MIM blonde standard as well. Plays/sounds great! And $599 at MF right now...

[polarred21]

Thanks guys. Pounding the internet doing research which is half the fun, computer crashed! I guess I hung on to my Windows Vista machine a little too long.

As discussed in the other thread, I'm just learning about this humbucker pickup option at the neck.

I have seen several in my price range, Fender and G&L. One problem I'll have is not knowing the better value between the two brands with similar options.

Just a few :

https://reverb.com/item/15769146-fen...urst-pre-order

https://reverb.com/item/14700718-g-l...n-clear-orange

https://reverb.com/item/10782645-fen...loid-pickguard

https://reverb.com/item/14489828-g-l...017-blue-burst

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by polarred21

Thanks guys. Pounding the internet doing research which is half the fun, computer crashed! I guess I hung on to my Windows Vista machine a little too long.

As discussed in the other thread, I'm just learning about this humbucker pickup option at the neck.

I have seen several in my price range, Fender and G&L. One problem I'll have is not knowing the better value between the two brands with similar options.

Just a few :

https://reverb.com/item/15769146-fen...urst-pre-order

https://reverb.com/item/14700718-g-l...n-clear-orange

https://reverb.com/item/10782645-fen...loid-pickguard

https://reverb.com/item/14489828-g-l...017-blue-burst

One thing I'm conscious of is the apparent inability to change the neck profile on the G&L. If you order a USA-made, you can choose the width/profile on the order sheet, but if you want to order a different neck later, you're limited to getting it from G&L, as their setup is proprietary. If you get a Tribute, get the neck for that model, no changes. In either case, and unlike with Fender, you can't go to Warmoth or another aftermarket supplier to get a neck for your G&L, so if you grow to hate the neck, you get a new guitar or live with it. I have both a USA and a Tribute G&L and like them both, but the inability to experiment with necks down the road would now be a consideration, for me, before purchase.

[Gmountain]

Get a Fender. Everyone needs at least one. It's a Fender. You know that's what you really want. Everyone wants that.

[M Hayden]

MIM. Fender or Squier - some of the inexpensive Squiers are fantastic and don’t cost much.

[Magnazen]

Get a Baja - used -

I see them on Craigslist all the time - keep looking you will run across one between 500-575=

best bang for the buck Tele - and with vintage specs - you will not regret it.

[rwmct]

Originally Posted by Magnazen

Get a Baja - used -

I see them on Craigslist all the time - keep looking you will run across one between 500-575=

best bang for the buck Tele - and with vintage specs - you will not regret it.

Vintage specs? What about that four way switch??? Does not sound vintage to me.

[polarred21]

Road trip today. Priority is a new PC purchase but also including a stop by GC and Sam Ash which are across the road from each other in Raleigh.

This is just to get a look at few tele's but if something is priced right I will bring it home.

You know how it goes. ....Internet searches then it's time just do it.

[Magnazen]

Originally Posted by rwmct

Vintage specs? What about that four way switch??? Does not sound vintage to me.

3 barrel bridge
brass saddles
vintage tuners
fat neck


4 way switch can be changed - but it doesn't really take anything away from it IMO.

[polarred21]

So just a little update from the road trip. Played a few, looked at several with not a whole lot of options. Basically the Squier series was $499 and lower end Fender series was $649. They did have some Affinity's but wanted to step up just a little bit from that.

The one Squier Classic Vibe I played probably felt the most comfortable compared to Fender Player. Talking to the salesman, the Fender Player replaced the Standard?

Also played thru 2 different Blues Jr. tube amps. Sounded great, dang they are expensive.

First requirement is a maple fingerboard, that also limits my color options.

Still researching, new PC set me back so need to recover a little bit. Another road trip when the time is right.