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Post subject: Seeking advice for my first Tele
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:47 am
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Location: Worthing Sussex England
I'm looking for help from Tele players. Currently I have a 3 year old Squire Standard Tele which has done me well up til now but now I think it's time to get a Fender. I love the original Tele sound and prefer a thin neck. I was going to get an American Series but here in the UK I'm no longer seeing many ads for these just the new American standard. I've read a couple of independant reviews that have me worried that this model has lost something of the original sound. Has anyone any first hand experience of a new standard in direct comparison to the older models.

Although I would prefer to buy an American made model although when going through the online catalogue I was taken by the looks of the Japanese custom with Bigsby. Does anyone have one of these? What's the finish like compared to the American models? What neck shape does it have? It's near the price of an American standard at the online store I use.

As you can see I'm a total Fender novice and have a limited budget so want to make the right choice so any advice would be welcome. Also I don't have a local music store with Fenders so going along to try out different guitars is not an easy option.

Any help you can offer would be very welcome.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:55 am
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I had a pre-CBS tele with the stock Bigsby. I would rather have a model with the strings thru the body or even a top-loading bridge model (the string anchor on the back of the bridge). The Bigsby looks cool, but won't help you stay in tune even if you don't use it. Teles are known for staying in great tune and you have the ability to do two-string bends with more success if you stay away from the Bigsby.

As for Japanese models; MIJ and CIJ models made during the 80's in particular have some unreal finish work. I Own an '86 MIJ Fender Esquire that is beautifully made. I think it was Miami Mike that mentioned that these MIJ models can have poorer quality electronic components. My three position switch went out on my Esquire right on que...three months of use. Well, three months of use and 22 years of sitting in a case anyhow.

I hope that's helpful, pal. :)


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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:10 pm
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If you are on a budget and want an American made Tele I suggest the Highway One Series. I've got a Highway One Texas Telecaster and I'm very happy with it.

The basic difference with the Highway Ones are:
The Highway Ones are finished in a nitrocelulose lacquer (like back in the 50's and 60's) it's not as glossy and wears more easily. It also lets the wood breathe as it ages so (in theory) you get better tonality over time. It's also cheaper to apply so they can charge less for them.

The Highway Ones have the Grease Bucket tone circuit which rolls off the highs without adding bass (very cool and sounds great)

The Highway ones use vintage style hardware (the only thing I changed was I got the Gothoh vintage locking tuners. They look the same but lock)

With the exception of the Grease Bucket circuit, all the differences are made to reduce production costs and keep the price down. Bang for the buck it's the best American Telecaster deal out there.


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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:06 am
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Thanks for the advice so far.

I take the point on board about the Bigsby. I certainly don't want to compromise the qualities of a Tele and the Bigsby isn't something I'd miss.

Thanks for the advice to look at the Highway 1 Tele. It makes sense as looking on the internet here in the UK it would save around £250 over a new American standard and that's almost the price of a new MIM Tele or Strat.

Thanks again and any further advice or opinions would be welcome.

:D


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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:16 pm
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:D Just wanted to thanks to the guys that replied to me and gave me plenty to think about. I eventually managed to get to a well stocked guitar store and tried different Teles. A Baja, a Highway 1 and a couple of standards. I thought the Highway 1 had a superb sound but on the only one they had I wasn't keen on the neck to fretboard finish, a rosewood board with obvious gaps in serveral places.
:P In the end I splashed out the extra and bought an American Standard. I've had it at home for 3 days now and can't wait to get in each night to pick it up and play it. It complements my LPs perfectly and allows my long suffering Squire to take take a well earned rest.
Thanks again :lol:


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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:18 pm
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Hello Worthingrebels,

Sounds like you got yourself
a nice telecaster.
What board & color was your final choice?
If you got a camera post a photo.
Best of luck with it.


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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:01 pm
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Hi Mr Bill,

Yes I really love the Tele. It's blizzard pearl with a maple neck. I just wanted something as un LP like as I could get.

I'll try and get round to posting a picture soon.


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