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Post subject: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 8:09 am
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Hi there,

I'm in the market for a new Fender Telecaster for my studio. I won't ever take it out, its strictly for recording.

My main two priorities are firstly, the sound of the guitar, and secondly having stable tuning and intonation. This seems to be the biggest issues I've had with guitars over the years, especially cheaper ones. Even after getting them set up and the intonation set perfectly, they still are not in tune throughout the whole fretboard. I really want something thats just absolutely solid whether I'm playing an open chord, or something past the 5th fret.

I have looked at the Ultra series, and obviously this is marketed as the "best" fender model without spending custom shop money. I wanted to ask if I'm just as likely to achieve what I'm after with any of the following models...

Player
Vintera
Deluxe Nashville
Professional

When it comes to intonation is there a huge difference between a Mexican and the ultra?


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 1:41 am
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Welcome to the Forum Sam! It looks like you have experience with guitars so getting a professional to set up your Telecaster will solve any intonation problems if it isn't perfect out of the box. As far as staying in tune the only thing I changed on my Mexican Stratocaster is a brass nut and it stays in tune just fine now. Don't ask me why, I'm just glad it worked out that way. Have fun here.

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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 2:24 pm
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Welcome to the forum.
You may find more informed opinions in the telecaster sub-forum, which is here:
https://forums.fender.com/viewforum.php?f=7
Generally speaking, I haven't kept up with the Fender marketing goob's names for guitars, but I would suggest that your chances are better with 6 saddle bridges versus 3 saddle bridges since intonation is your second "criteria". "Sound" is a somewhat nebulous criteria because there are so many things that can affect that.

JMO,


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:18 am
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Hi Sam. I get where you are coming from.

There is a lot to consider when deciding what any guitar’s official sound is (aside from promotion). This topic has come up before, and will again. The answer depends on many things. One’s listening familiarity, musical taste, and perception, for example, can have a bearing. Like all historical guitar sounds it depends on equipment throughout, modifications known and unknown, the era of concern and the era of today. This and more can alter the recipe. Can the tone and characteristics in mind even be reproduced to emulate the original? Will a compromise be presented? Perhaps, perhaps not. Are we striving for the do all guitar or searching for a
specific clone? Either way we can come close with today’s technology, skill set, and experience IMHO.

That said I believe one could do fine by making this newly chosen sound their own. Others before us have. If you like another’s sound, that’s cool too as long as one realizes a copy is only as good as the weakest link and environment.

As well as good points by vinyl, I think SBLS said it nicely about having a pro set up. Even if we choose to do it ourself, it can be easy enough with knowledge and a little effort. A pro will likely have gathered better tools and better experience to get the job done. We might do a set up a dozen times and we’ll even solve some problems. A pro will definitely do all of that dozens of times. He or she most often, but not always, will know how to optimize a type of guitar, and it will be a great example to follow . . . as long as you convey what you have in mind and how you play without the pro second guessing. I highly recommend having a pro do your set up at least twice with a new guitar (maybe the second set up could be included as a follow up). Again, make that guitar your own not the factory’s or the tech’s.

I have noiseless pickups, and they are great for recording. They do have different characteristics than non noiseless pickups (which have a following). There’s a bit of hypocrisy making cover songs when touting or thinking that the same gear is used. While there is truth to be found, there are exceptions. Let’s say an original artist has a fill in. Let’s say the accomplished fill in has identical gear and setup. Nice! Let’s say there was a minor difference included, or a major difference was the flavour of the event. How about any or all of this showing up at another equally regarded unrelated event. Still, the sound may pass the acceptance test. :wink:
The non noiseless pickup camp will also include a plethora of guitars with different characteristics, and often a stage performance of a song will use different gear than a studio release. The studio may even use a highly modified Frankenstein guitar or a completely different brand and type. This means there can be two or more versions of the band’s song(s) (read that as different pickups and/or electronics) on hand at the peak of popularity and later.

Many vintage pickups have been around for years and probably will for be found for some time to come. This is probably a good reason, should you be a suitable candidate, not to go noiseless and, perhaps, you will get from here to there because of it. The downside . . . noise is lurking, and cleanup has it’s compromises in any case.

As for modern day noiseless pickups they have a sound of their own. Not all good, not all bad, and I’ve managed to A/B match my sound with some tone monsters of yesteryear way better than I thought possible. The advantage of these new pickups is impressive IMHO and by design they are getting better. I also like that my pickups are matched seamlessly with volume for when they are switched or combined. Some noiseless will be given longevity with availability, and others will fade away over time as improvements are made.

No matter. Both camps are here to stay. Vintage and modern.

Which axe would I choose? I would want to hold it, check the weight, cosmetics, the physical comfort and playability (especially with the neck), and most of all I would trust my ears. You can’t always share another’s.

Today’s guitars have come a long way. Yesteryear’s have their own vibe. I’d be happy with either, and still a little of both is nice too.

Confused yet? I would encourage you to listen to Telecaster recordings, pick any Telecaster that speaks to you, look it over and decide if it’s the one. You’ll be following the pros who do the same.

Your telecaster listed selection is a good gathering to consider. Best in your search for a telecaster waiting for a good home, Sam.

Enjoy the Forum(s). :D
FSB

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Last edited by Fender Strat Brat on Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:11 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:47 am
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samroman wrote:
Even after getting them set up and the intonation set perfectly, they still are not in tune throughout the whole fretboard.

No guitar plays perfectly in tune on every fret of every string.

The usual setup for intonation is a compromise - you get "close enough", and you don't mind the 'one cent off' reading the digital tuners tell you.
One trick here; if the free string/12th fret comparison isn't enough, you could check some fret-to-fret combos, too - 2nd to 14th, 3rd to 15th fret etc. At least that minimizes the free string/finger pressure difference.

But when one gets really serious (in a recording session or just plain old OCD) a guitar can be intonated especially for a certain song/chord selection/capoing/tuning.

The same principles apply to a guitar's sounds. A regular Tele bends to anything. But if you must have an ESP Alexi Laiho signature for that one note on the third chorus, then you must.


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 6:32 am
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samroman wrote:
...secondly having stable tuning and intonation. This seems to be the biggest issues I've had with guitars over the years, especially cheaper ones. Even after getting them set up and the intonation set perfectly, they still are not in tune throughout the whole fretboard. I really want something thats just absolutely solid whether I'm playing an open chord, or something past the 5th fret.

This is something I struggled with for as long as I've been playing guitar. Question - how often do you play out of tube amps? The reason I ask is because I personally find that solid state amps are harsher when it comes to slightly out-of-tune notes. In other words, it seems to matter a little less when playing out of a tube amp. It's like that warm tube "fuzziness" throws a blanket over the problem. You can still hear it, but you don't care as much because it all melts together. At least that is my experience. I've never heard anyone else say their guitars sound more in tune with a tube amp.


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:26 pm
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If you have the dough, go for the professional.

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Don't leave home without it!


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:27 am
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I have a habit of looking at and liking guitars and gear that slipped through my fingers and/or budget at the time only to discover it hard to find, difficult to get, or unavailable now. This is one that gets applause when Telecaster sound and playability is mentioned.



As for your great alternative, Mike, the professional is also less money; but, for sure the professional will fit the bill nicely IMHO.

FSB

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Last edited by Fender Strat Brat on Wed Jan 01, 2020 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:23 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
As for your great alternative, Mike, the professional is also less money; but, for sure the professional will fit the bill nicely IMHO. FSB


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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!


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Post subject: Re: Player, Deluxe, Pro or Ultra?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2020 3:30 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
Fender Strat Brat wrote:
As for your great alternative, Mike, the professional is also less money; but, for sure the professional will fit the bill nicely IMHO. FSB


Image
Apparently, my former link changed and didn’t work to plan, and did not show the Telecaster I chose as an alternative. :? That should have been the American Vintage ‘64 Telecaster now shown. Looks like Fender no longer carries it. When I said it was pricier I was definitely right. The price is all over the map from $1999.99 Amn to over 3 grand Cdn up here or whatever the seller thinks they can reap. Still, it holds those desirable Tele family genes. IMHO

The Pro looks even better now when you consider the price point. :wink:
FSB

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