What Tele? advice please

[2dark2c]

Lately I have been really drawn to the telecaster style guitars. I've never owned one or played one, and would love to get one to try. I have only played Les Paul's up until now.

I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money on one, as tele's might not be my thing. But, I also don't like to buy junk.

So, I was thinking of keeping it $500 ballpark (Canadian)... or less. I could be persuaded to go up in price a bit for the right reasons. But, after all the reading I've done, I think I can get a pretty good playing telecaster for that price range.

I've been considering these guitars:

- New Squier Classic Vibe and throw a few dollars into upgrades.
- Used American Fender Highway 1 Tele
- Used MIM Fender Tele
- Buy some parts off ebay and put them together, but I have NO experience with that.
- I'd love to get a custom build, but outta my price range.. maybe later if telecasters suite me.

I've been considering them, but really I just need advice on what models I should be looking at.

I might be able to pick up a 2008 American Highway 1 in midnight wine for around $500 Canadian, in 9/10 or 9.5/10 condition. Highly considering it but wanted to check with the experts first.

Thanks for the help.

[overdriver]

did ya go try the highway ?

[Wizzle]

Try a Baja.

[jonesy]

Here is one I put together using a graphite neck and fender parts..



L-R MIM, MIM, Squire...
I modded and rewired all 3 of these Tele's



Lil' Keef, Heavy Relic'd 5 string Tele I put together with 4 way switching...




Play a few at your local guitar store to get a feel for what you like and go from there. I would say a MIM would be in your price range

[overdriver]

YouTube - Squier Classic Vibe demo

YouTube - Squier Classic Vibe demo

[jonesy]

I heard from a Fender guy way up North (where they have wood-piles) that those New Squier's are pretty nice guitars.

[2dark2c]

Originally Posted by overdriver

did ya go try the highway ?

That's the one I'm talkin bout . Thnx for your great advice btw overdriver.

I was planning on going to try it out, but it is a 2hr30min drive. And, my cousin is actually going to be driving right by where it is at. And, she could pick it up for me tomorrow. lol.. that's why i'm posting. I should just drive and try it... lol, but it's so much easier just to have it picked up and delivered to my door.

And, that is really where my debate on what to do is coming from. Should i buy the Highway 1 tomorrow or should I hold of and be patient, and look for something better quality/value.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by 2dark2c

....I might be able to pick up a 2008 American Highway 1 in midnight wine for around $500 Canadian....

How much is that in USD?

[2dark2c]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Here is one I put together using a graphite neck and fender parts..



L-R MIM, MIM, Squire...
I modded and rewired all 3 of these Tele's



Lil' Keef, Heavy Relic'd 5 string Tele I put together with 4 way switching...




Play a few at your local guitar store to get a feel for what you like and go from there. I would say a MIM would be in your price range

Thanks Jonesy. Those guitars look great. I just wish I was even half as skilled as you are. Any for sale ?

I keep hearing that it is not too difficult to put a tele together, but I always second guess myself as I've never done anything like that before.

Generally, what could I expect to spend on piecing a quality player together?

Thanks jonesy, those guitars and pics are very inspiring. Great motivation.

[2dark2c]

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

How much is that in USD?

It used to be like 20 bucks lol.

It is actually $482 USD. I was looking at the US used market as the prices are almost always way better than the Canadian used market. But the prices seem to be leveling out a bit on certain things. And then I'd have to pay to have it shipped.

I was just reading about the Musicians Friend Fender Friday deals (not sure if they would apply to Canadian residents), and they seem to have some great deals once in a while. Anyone from Canada ever taken advantage of those deals?

[River]

This has been highly recommended to me as a life-long Gibson player, as it has a 12" fretboard radius. Damned good-looking too, if that matters. $900.



Buy Fender Highway One Series Texas Telecaster Electric Guitar | Solid Body Electric Guitars | Musician's Friend

[overdriver]

IDK IMO its not so much a better value thing certianly its not a bad price at 500$ it is the new upgraded one so. And like I say the pups are hotter than reg. vintage pups which is what you are looking for. Playing before ya pay is always best.

?s you thimk you'll like Jumbo frets , and satin finish. The bridge pup certianly will go well with a P-90 like you have planned, if the stock neck isn't hot enough.

Hard for me to advise really you never played one or the Squier CV so... but IMO at the price you are talking , did ya try him on 450. ? I would go highway 1 . The Squiers if ya bought new are IMO noce but I will never get my money back out of it, If ou bought one new you won't either. I have several teles and bought the squier CV cause I liked it first good cheap tele to come along. Don't have to worry about it etc. I will get my moneys worth out of it in enjoyment.

But if you can't wait to try as many different teles that are on the market and have narrowed to those 2 get the MIA highway1 . They are a good tele play it for awhile ya don't like it ya should be able to sell it for what ya paid. May take awhile may not.

no matter what tele ya buy there will always be a better one out there some where some time.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by jonesy

I heard from a Fender guy way up North (where they have wood-piles) that those New Squier's are pretty nice guitars.

WTF don't listen to that dumb old bastard!!!! He buys that stuff but still plays his MIA standard strat more than his other guitars.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by 2dark2c

Thanks Jonesy. Those guitars look great. I just wish I was even half as skilled as you are. Any for sale ?

I keep hearing that it is not too difficult to put a tele together, but I always second guess myself as I've never done anything like that before.

Generally, what could I expect to spend on piecing a quality player together?

Thanks jonesy, those guitars and pics are very inspiring. Great motivation.

Thanks for the kind words bro, all those Tele's are gone now. I have one here at home I am getting ready to put together for a friend, and if Greasebox cuts a body out for me I will probably build one for myself over the winter.

A Tele is probably one of the easiest guitars to piece together. Parts are easy to find and as you see they can be built just about anyway you desire. The traditional 3 way wiring is fairly simple, the 4 way is a little tricky but is one of my favorite Tele mods.

If you want to put one together let me know I will help guide you through it, not really that hard. Setting them up to play great takes a bit of skill but it's not rocket science.
Depending on what you choose you should be able to spend about $300-$500 on parts and have a decent Tele when you are all done.

If you don't find one off the rack that you like or can afford then I would start hunting down parts and build your own

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by overdriver

WTF don't listen to that dumb old bastard!!!! He buys that stuff but still plays his MIA standard strat more than his other guitars.

Oh you crack me up sometimes Norm, did you get that wood pile all finished up?

[djwilbanks]

This one is my favorite.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Oh you crack me up sometimes Norm, did you get that wood pile all finished up?

Ya pretty much, just waiting for the last cord , should be here Monday. And its susposed to snow , well mix rain and snow the same day . WTF.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by djwilbanks

This one is my favorite.

Thanks DJ, that was the silver body I got from you. I converted Lil' keef to a 5 + 1 so it had 6 strings and the 4 way switching. I planned on keeping it, but one of the local guys here in town saw it and wanted it and would not take no for an answer.

[djwilbanks]

Yep, I remember, I'm surprised you took what I messed up and turned it into something someone couldn't live without.

Roman wired up my Rist himself, so the wiring kit I got from you is going in my new project.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Oh you crack me up sometimes Norm, did you get that wood pile all finished up?

Hey David an hour ago I finished up swapping the pots and switch and cap in my Squier CV 60 strat. Put one of the bees in . Everything looked right when I hooked her all up . did a test with tapping the pole pieces to hear though the amp. Strung her up played away nice wah wah , with the Bee (.076) hooked up the bridge (jumped wire) to the mid tone pot. But I thought I checked everthing and saw it right. But if I turn the neck tone to 0 the guitar shut off, acting like a volume control. Have to take her apart tomorrow.

New one on me!???

[jonesy]

Hmm, you could try jumping the bridge pu (on the switch)to lower tone pot and you should be good to go, that's the way I wire my Strats and have never had any problems like that.

[overdriver]

http://www.fender.com/support/diagra...400_02CPg2.pdf This is what I use pretty much vintage with a little jumper from the mid pup tone (on switch) to the lug beside it . Which is an unused lug in vintage wiring. Been do this for years and years, never had the first tone pot act as a voloume though. Musta friged up , did something wrong.

[jonesy]

Yeah that's the same one I use. You may have a wire shorting out on a lug or pinched when you put everything back in the cavity that is causing that problem IDK?

[overdriver]

Ya thanks David , like I say I will get her apart tomorrow. I think I am tired , and off to bed I go . Nice talkin to you guys. Goodnite

[jonesy]

Take care bro, ttyl

[leftyguitarman]

I would go with the Highway One. They are killer guitars.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by djwilbanks

Yep, I remember, I'm surprised you took what I messed up and turned it into something someone couldn't live without.

Roman wired up my Rist himself, so the wiring kit I got from you is going in my new project.

Yeah funny how that worked out

What's your new project DJ??

[The ConGREGation]

Ahh tele's my second loves, I would suggest you go to one of the guitar mega stores and play a bunch of different types of tele's and find the one that has the attributions you seek , then either build one with those features or find one with one of the sponsors here at MLP. The best playing Tele I have owned was a early Highway 1 with the 10 radius (closer to a LP) it was a scorchin' guitar for a reasonable price, they are about 9 years old now so getting a early made one should be less expensive that a newer model. Greg.

[RichCI]

Originally Posted by 2dark2c

Lately I have been really drawn to the telecaster style guitars. I've never owned one or played one, and would love to get one to try. I have only played Les Paul's up until now.

I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money on one, as tele's might not be my thing. But, I also don't like to buy junk.

*snip*

Okay, you and I are of the same mindset and you're exactly where I was at several years ago before I bought my first Strat. I played nothing but a Les Paul for years and any time I tried a Strat they felt completely weird and foreign no matter what kind it was. I went to a clearance sale with the idea of getting a blem or floor model MIM Strat for cheap to see if I could live with a Strat and ended up finding a 57 Reissue for $800 minus the original case so I went for it.

Sure enough, the Strat felt bizarre but I was determined to get used to it as I really like the sound of a Strat. After about a month, the Strat became very comfortable to me and it, along with my LP, are the main (only) guitars I play regularly with my band. A few years ago, I bought a 52 RI Tele and it's a damned fine guitar by any standard.

So, what's my point?

You said you don't want to spend a lot of money but you also don't like to buy junk. MIM Fenders are in no way junk but, between my MIA 57 RI and the MIM Standard I bought later, there's really no contest. The Standard is a good guitar and a great value, but the 57 RI is a very fine guitar and in a whole different class. If you're a picky player, you might do well and save in the long run by buying a great guitar rather than a guitar that you think you're going to want to sell inside of a year because you want something better.

I'm not saying you can't find a really nice MIM Fender that's a great player because you can. A few years ago, I picked up a MIM Tele Thinkline at my local dealer and still, to this day, wish I had bought it as it was very lively and just plain felt good. However, you might find some things lacking in some of the lower level Fenders - like the electronics - and end up replacing this or that. Then again, I replaced the pups and trem block (busted arm) in my 57 RI so... go figure.

[overdriver]

Squier CV and MIM Classics are great guitars hard to find a classic in Canada for 500.. What gets me about all this stuff is many forum people still go out a mod the shit out of a 52RI as well. Like glendale bridge and comp saddles 200$ there abouts .Then Mare super dupper pups Etc. Etc. And some people like 2 dark aren't even after a trad tele .
Just as the Jumbo frets could turn a personoff, the small vintage 52 RI frets could as well. Also the radius. Most LP players like the 9.5 to 12 offered on various teles rather than the 7.25. 2 dark want a P-90 in the neck .

This ,which tele should a person get or which LP etc. a person should get ,can go on forever. With player preferences being explained and the great number of models out there.
So IMO when a person asks what the best bang for 500 bucks is. !! talkin double or more is silly. And my CV out of the box went straight to a band pratice, the day of purchase , and went up againist a early 80's 52 RI so it was old wood as well. It held its ground quite well.