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Post subject: Need Help with Buying Decision - California Tele or New
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:00 pm
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Hoping some of you Tele fanatics can help me out. I have a couple of Strats (US std and fat) and a Les Paul but now lust after that Tele sound. I can get a California Strat that is in excellent condition for $700 or a brand new American Standard for $1200 (expect I can talk them down to close to $1000). I have played both and like both but would be interested in any opinions. I am not familiar with the California series but have read that they were made in US, all US parts, painted in Baja, assembled and finished in US - painted in mexico due to new EPA rules back in 96-97.

Any help appreciated.

Thx,
Dave


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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:40 pm
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Location: Texas, USA
I would go with the American Std. Telecaster if you can get it for the price you mentioned. The Am Std. is IMHO worth every penny. Just be sure that it is the tele sound you are after and not the tele looks (I hate to see a good tele sit alone and unused :( ).

If it is just the looks, then I would suggest you buy a cheaper version of the tele and modify it to suit your tastes.


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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:17 pm
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One Tele I think thats worth looking at is a FSR Western Tele. So Far the only place I've found them at is Sam Ash. If you happen to live near one check it out. If not look online. Price of a Std. but more features 8)


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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:55 am
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idahored wrote:
One Tele I think thats worth looking at is a FSR Western Tele. So Far the only place I've found them at is Sam Ash. If you happen to live near one check it out. If not look online. Price of a Std. but more features 8)


Great bang-for-the-buck : :wink:

http://www.guitarstop.com/Fender/fsrtele.htm

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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:55 pm
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That's an excellent deal Mike!

I'll bet you those FSR's play really nice :)


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Post subject: End of My Search
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:30 pm
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Ended up with the California Tele. I borrowed it for a couple of days and just connected with it (no doubt part of my friend's evil plan). Paid $650 for it and my strats are now getting jealous.

Thanks to all for the feedback.


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Post subject: Good choice
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:12 am
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I think you made an excellent choice purchasing that California Series Fat Tele . . . and I have only mild regrets for having sold it to you . . . would be greater regret had I not still have others . . . and btw, I just traded one of those others (the black Calfiornia Series Fat Tele, modded with the two humbuckers (separately splittable with push-pull pots) and three-way switch) for a really nice 1998 G&L ASAT Deluxe with flame maple top in honeyburst. I'll show it to you the next time we jam . . . . R.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:54 pm
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Rick,

How many do you have left. I still love the guitar and wish I could play it this week. Have also looked at some of those beautiful G&L guitars. Having a great time at Niagara Falls will give a call when back.

DP


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Post subject: down to only one California Series now . . .
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:06 pm
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I have now only one California Series Fat Tele - that I put together from original parts bought on ebay. Only things not original are the bridge pickup, which is a Custom Shop Broadcaster pickup (cant buy these separately, only come on the Baja Tele, I understand), control plate and neck plates (just plain pieces of metal, anyway). I also had to use a MIM neck with non-vintage tuners, but I may change this at some point. Body color is same as the one that I sold you.

I have one other Fat Tele, but it is not California Series, it is body of a US Fat Tele with neck from a Custom Tele FMT HH (ebony fretboard).

Here is a complete list of all my current guitars:

2003 US Fat Tele with 2006 Custom Tele Neck
1998 California Series Fat Tele with mexican neck
1985 Tokai Love Rock
1997 Gibson Blueshawk
1996 Gibson Nighthawk
2000 MIM Deluxe Nashville Tele
1988 Strat Plus
1998 G&L ASAT Deluxe
???? Reverend Gil Parris Signtaure

Ovation Deluxe Balladeer
2009 Taylor 816ce
Alvarez dreadnaught
Ryoji Matsuoka classical guitar


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Post subject: Your list of guitars makes mine almost sane
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:26 pm
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My list:

1998 Taylor 814ce
2002 Les Paul Std
2008 American Fat Strat
1996 American Strat Plus
1998 American California Tele
2007 MIM Fender Pbass

Amps:
Fender Blues Jr
Vox AD 39VT
Vox Mini 15 W?
Marshall 15W
Bass Amp 15W

Some day I will actually learn how to play them.


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