Well my current Axe (MIM lake placid blue strat) is out of commision for a bit (shes at my local music shop for it's yearly set up) and I ended up borrowing my pop's '52 Telecaster Re-issue in butterscotch blonde and WOW!! This guitar really blew me away! I really like the sound coming outta my B-52 head running into a Fender 4x12 cab. The neck pickup was a bit muddy at first but grew on me when I was jamming with my bud and started to make her weep slowly.I must confess I've always been partial to strats but if your narrow minded thats no fun!

Problem.....I have to give it back on Wednesday and I am really Gassing for a tele. I have just put my Jag-stang on sale at craigslist and with the money i have saved plus what I'm asking I will have about $800.00 bucks.
I would really like to get the same guitar but I don't have $1839.00 and I am a young married guy whose wife will flip if I pay more than a grand for a guitar( plus I have bills to pay) I like the FSR MIM butterscotch tele with noiseless pickups in the current issue of Musicians Friend but I dont know? Thats where you guys come in.

Any advice, Knowledge , help, suggestions will be much helpful. Thanks guys!

For a quality Tele under a grand I suggest anything from MIM's Classic Series or Classic Player series. Wonderful instruments!!

Best of luck!

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Yeah Man, the thing about the Tele is that once you play one...Ya gotta have one... I guess what I would do is go to the store and play all kinds of them. I bet you will find one in your price range that will fit the bill for you.. Just dont buy too many at one time

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I bought a Baja tele (is it classic player or classic series). Whilst not in the same standard as a typical AVRI, its a damn fine guitar. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Very little to distinguish it from a 52 in looks. Modern appointments make it a fantastic tool. And its designed by THE Tele master builder Chris Flemming.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TeleCPBjBl/

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No no and no

The Highway One Teles seem to be reasonable priced. Think they're about $700 last time I checked.

+1 on CC, nikininja and Jason's suggestion. I own American, Japanese and Mexican Tele's, and each one is perfect in it's own way. At whatever price point you can afford, you will be getting a great guitar.

You may want to look at Sweetwater.com. American Vintage '52 Re-issues are $1,600, Hiway 1's are $700, Classic Player '50s and '60's are $600, Baja's are $800 and most of the Classic '70's and other Mexican Tele's are in the $700-800 range. Standard Mexican Tele's are $500. Also - you can do the 3 payment option at Sweetwater and American Musical Supply. Both places are great to deal with and I've not had a problem with either. Customer service is terrific.

You can get a heck of a Mexican Tele with the Classic Player '50s and '60s or the Baja. I think the Baja is a steal at $800! The Hiway 1 is also a great deal at $700 - airbornestrat loves his almost as much as he loves his wife!

Let us know what you get. Good luck! You'll never regret owning a Tele or 2 (or 4 or 10...)

Rick

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

There are many great Teles to be had for under $1000 just go into your local music store and be impressed,I'm sure you'll have a hard time choosing as there'll probably be several you want to take home.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Take your time and shop around. I bought my american ash deluxe tele, butterscotch, w/blk pickguard for $900. used, its my main axe now. I missed out on a 04 american ash deluxe 50th. anniv. tobaccoburst strat for $950. 'cause I didn't have cash and hestitated, ouch. both were at a guitar center. I always browse in shops, never know when you will stumble upon a deal.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

I had 2 Strats, 1 MIA Standard the other MIM with Texas Specials. I sold the MIM and just bought a Nashville Tele. You won`t be sorry if you get one. I think they have their own unique tone and its nice to have some variation in your collection.

Nik hit the nail on the head, the Baja in blonde (307) is a stunning guitar. I almost got one myself, the deal fell through and I had to console myself with an American standard in sunburst I still plan on getting the Baja, maybe sometime in Spring. Tele's are addictive, so be warned

Thanks guys. I'm heading down to go test a few at at my local music store. I'm really leaning toward the classic series 50's Tele or the Baja.

P.S. (dumb newbie question!) Explain why Chris Flemming Is THE Tele master? (remember I'm new to the Tele world! )

P.S.S. Yes Telecasters are VERY addicting! Played the 52 AVRI till 3 in the morning!

Hwy 1

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

Under $1000, Highway 1 is the way to go. I you have $850 you will be able to get a Highway 1 and pocket the rest of the money or use it for pickups that you may prefer (although the stock Hwy 1 pups are nice too).

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

I'm yet another Highway One supporter. They're just too nice.

Rumour has it they're on the way out since the American Special is quite similar (for a $100 increase in price). You definitely get the most value for your dollar with the Highway One.

At least try one/a few before you come to a decision

Went down to try a few out.

HWY 1 = Not bad had a good tone overall feel was nice but can't get over the flat nitro finish, I want something that is shiny has that pritty glossy finish thast say's "Hi I'm beautiful". It is definatly not outta the running but not in the lead.

American Special Tele = Haven't played it yet

MIM Standard tele = Overall played nice but am looking for that vintage vibe, good runner up though.

Classic series 50's tele = GORGEOUS!!!! Great vintage vibe, neck played ever so sweetly. Real close to the AVRI '52 minus "some" things...

American Standard = Found a real pritty one in sunburst w/maple neck for only $994.00 out the door brand new. Played great had that glossy look plus some vintage Tele vibe.

AVRI '52 = Found used at GC for 1090.00. Obviously what I'm borrowing right now played wonderfully. Probably won't be around when i get all the cash together but you never know.

Baja Tele = Didn't play but they will have one in white blonde I belive in a few weeks.

So thanks for all the suggestions guys, none of them are really out of the race yet, just what I found out playing around today.
By the way any info on why Chris Flemming is the Tele master yet?