I think I want a Tele but i'm not sure

[shal1234]

i'm thinking about getting a telecaster but i really haven't played on any before. I'm gonna try some out tomorrow. My question is: how versatile are they? And what do you think about the tele's with humbuckers? thanks

[jomo]

I love Teles. They aren't meant for everything I suppose but that's the beauty of collecting. Some purists will tell you not to put humbuckers in a Tele but to each their own. The only way I'd drop one in is if it were my only guitar. Teles sound amazing in a tube amp on a clean setting, and sound equally good with some old school crunch. Play one and decide for yourself.

[thefishingline]

Tele's rock and I gotta a 69' on the block...e mail me

[captain tightpants]

You DO want a Tele, trust me! And Tele's with 'buckers rock, IMHO!

[shal1234]

jomo- I saw a tele that has 2 humbuckers and a mahogany body. i know that's not traditional, but with the hardtail bridge i thought that might be the answer to a good solid clean. you're right tho, i just have to try it.

[captain tightpants]

Just build a Warmoth Tele with 'buckers, you're not ruining anything that way! That's what I did...

Of course, it did nothing to satsfy Tele GAS...

[shal1234]

I assume that's a "build your own" kit from Warmoth. I'll have to check those out and see what the deal is. Carvin has kits too, but i don't think they offer teles.

[shal1234]

Ok i checked Warmoth. I'd have to install the electronics. I'm not capable of that.

[captain tightpants]

Sure you can, if I can, you can.

[jomo]

Originally Posted by thefishingline

Tele's rock and I gotta a 69' on the block...e mail me

Don't keep it all secret like, who knows, I might be interested.

[shal1234]

well i tried a bunch of tele's today and here's what i came up with: I really liked the crazy spalted maple one with the humbuckers and coil tapping, it was extremely versatile and all of it's tones were usable. Also, they had two American Series Tele's, the exact same just different color, and to my bewilderment one of them sounded killer and the other sounded like a toy, all clacky and nasal. I couldn't figure it out.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by shal1234

well i tried a bunch of tele's today and here's what i came up with: I really liked the crazy spalted maple one with the humbuckers and coil tapping, it was extremely versatile and all of it's tones were usable. Also, they had two American Series Tele's, the exact same just different color, and to my bewilderment one of them sounded killer and the other sounded like a toy, all clacky and nasal. I couldn't figure it out.

Nothing to figure out , same model guitars can and do sound different , from any maker.
& IMO a tele is not a tele if its got humbuckers of any type in it.
A tele versatile!!!!!!!!!!! They can and do , do it all.

[Mr Bones]

IMO teles are by far THE most versatile guitar. Mine is the first guitar I pick up.

[citrixmeta]

they are great , i think everyone should at least own one! lol
check out jim roots EMG loaded badass tele YouTube - Fender® Jim Root Telecaster

[dennistruckdriver]

If you want a Telecaster, just get a regular Standard with single-coil pickups. A Telecaster is what it is because it is what it is. Humbuckers make it something different, and not necessarily better. The recent MIM Standards even come with Tex-Mex pickups as stock equipment.

[shal1234]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Nothing to figure out , same model guitars can and do sound different , from any maker.

The nicer one was natural ash, and the bad one had a solid coat, so i couldn't tell, but maybe that had something to do with it. On MF the American Standards say "Alder or Ash". So am i to assume only the ones with natural finish are ash?

I want a tele, so i'll get it with single coils, but that one with Humbuckers was a sweet guitar in a everyway possible. If it was a bit cheaper i'd get it just to have it.

PS: i was amazed at how the single coil tele ripped on the Crunch channel on the Marshall TSL 602 that i tried. It was furious!

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by overdriver

.
IMO a tele is not a tele if its got humbuckers of any type in it.
A tele versatile!!!!!!!!!!! They can and do , do it all.

Right! If you want a humbucker guitar, there are HUNDREDS to choose from!
As far as versatility, look at the LONG list of Telecaster players: Albert Collins, Bruce Springsteen, John 5, Danny Gatton, Chrissie Hynde (gag!), Susan Tedeschi, Joe Strummer, Muddy Waters, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens....the list is nearly endless. And most of the most famous Telecaster players played a regular ol' single-coil model! You can play any kind of music on any guitar, if you like it and want to play it!
Good luck in your quest for a Telecaster!

[MrWrong]

I have 2 tele's, a MIA and the spalted maple, both are amoung my favorite guitars. The MIA has the traditional twang, the spalted isn't as twangy, but has more tonal variation. Actually the spalted is only a tele in shape, otherwise not much like a normal tele. It has set neck, SD humbuckers with coil tap, bound body and neck. It is one of my favorite guitars, though.

spalted

MIA tele

the non-Gibson branch of the family

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by MrWrong

I have 2 tele's, a MIA and the spalted maple, both are amoung my favorite guitars. The MIA has the traditional twang, the spalted isn't as twangy, but has more tonal variation. Actually the spalted is only a tele in shape, otherwise not much like a normal tele. It has set neck, SD humbuckers with coil tap, bound body and neck. It is one of my favorite guitars, though.

spalted

Purty!
Telecaster-style guitars with humbuckers can be fine guitars, but for what a Telecaster is most famous for, it's ear-bleeding wail, ya gotta have the two single-coil pickups! Humbucker-equipped models do what they do very well also, but just can't quite match the good ole reg'lar Tele for icepick-sharp screaming!

[jomo]

I actually don't care for humbuckers in a Tele. I am old school. I bought the "Obey" Edition Tele for "collectability" and it has a humbucker in it.

But this is how a Tele should look, I've been waiting on this guitar for EVER. It should come in soon though.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by jomo

But this is how a Tele should look, I've been waiting on this guitar for EVER. It should come in soon though.

[shal1234]

Originally Posted by MrWrong

spalted

stop it your killing me! that's the one. I want it. nice grain on that one. I've seen some on ebay that have practically NO grain. I'd probably buy that one online right now if it wasn't back ordered everywhere.

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

just can't quite match the good ole reg'lar Tele for icepick-sharp screaming!

haha.

[shal1234]

i'll get a Tele with single coild later, this thing is butta!

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by shal1234

stop it your killing me! that's the one. I want it. nice grain on that one. I've seen some on ebay that have practically NO grain. I'd probably buy that one online right now if it wasn't back ordered everywhere.



haha.

That's a nice guitar, but if you want a Telecaster for what a Telecaster does best, then get a regular ol' Telecaster SOON! You will love it!

[shal1234]

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

That's a nice guitar, but if you want a Telecaster for what a Telecaster does best, then get a regular ol' Telecaster SOON! You will love it!

I know, but I'm always hesitant to buy something that i'm not too familiar with. Buyer's fear I guess. Some of you say that the Tele is extremely versatile, but at the same time i hear that it's got a one of a kind sound. How can something with such a unique sound be versatile?

I should just shut up and buy one.