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Post subject: Newbie here with some questions about tele's
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:46 pm
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Location: Gloucester, UK
First off sorry if you get these sort of questions all the time :oops:

I've been playing for about a year (on a strat style beginner guitar and lately an Ibanez IG series borrowed off my teacher) and from watching a lot of clips of tele's I've fallen in love with the sound of them (plus they look awesome). To get to the point:

1. How much of a difference in tone and playability is there between USA made fenders and others like from Japan and Mexico?

2. What kind of pickups do you guys like to use and what are your opinions of them on a telecaster?

3. What tele would you suggest as a 2nd guitar, bearing in mind I want it to last a while.

4. Finally what amp would you suggest, I'll mainly be playing poprock, blues and country and one which would be suitable for small gigs.

Sorry for such a long post! I thought it would be best to get a couple of different ideas from this board before spending any money, thanks guys.


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Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:44 pm
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Hi Ginsters, and welcome.
I play a American Deluxe and wouldnt change a thing...except my playing skill :D I would recommend going to a dealer and just play as many as you can... one will find you.
Good Luck in your hunt
Bill

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Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:32 pm
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Hey and welcome to the telecaster addiction. I agree that you should go try out as many tele's as you can in and out of your price range so you get a feel for the differences first hand.

That aside:
1 the gap between american, mexican and japanese fenders is narrowing. The craftsmanship is definitely more consistent in the MIA models but the mexi standards and cij models are still amazing guitars. Personally i'd say MIM<CIJ<MIA but the difference is small enough that this is largely debated. So you can't really go wrong.


As far as pickups, again it's personal taste. I have my tele loaded with Fender SCN noiseless tele pickups but I've been happy with most of the stock pickups on telecasters. Mine is a customized tele so I'm apt to switch out the pups at a whim. Also, if you're looking for a humbucker tone, the wide-range humbuckers on the thinline and deluxe models are pretty darn nice.

I'd suggest a mexi standard, highway 1 or american standard if you have the cash for a good tele that will last a long time. These are just ones that come to mind that aren't extremely expensive but there's a myriad of others that you might like more. just start playing.

As far as a good amp, I like Vox AC-30s and Fender Hot Rod Deluxes and De'villes. those are a little pricier though. The Blues Junior is a little less expensive and sounds amazing. I've been out of the amp market for awhile so hopefully someone else can give more suggestions since I'm hardly an expert on this topic.

Hope this helps you some. And again (i think the third time?) best way to find the tele/guitar for you is to just go to the store and try out every one you can get your hands on. Good luck!


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Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:02 pm
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Hi Ginsters and welcome to the fender forum. :) There is so much different models out there you'll have to try some of them. I don't know about the price range in the UK but don't overlook a good MIM or a Road Worn. I have a 2008 Highway One and I love it. About the amp, you mentionned small gigs, well a Blues Junior will do small gigs. Again, you'll have to try it for yourself, but I can tell you it can be loud. Keep us informed on your choices. Good luck. :)
Claude. 8)


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:15 am
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The guitar shop in my city doesn't have a large range of guitars but I will go there and ask to try out what they have. I probably won't be getting the guitar for another 2 months or so I should hopefully have a nice amount of money from my job, selling lots of old stuff, birthday money etc (also dipping into my student loan but don't tell anyone!)

I'll check out the less expensive tele's as well and maybe spend a little more on a good amp.

Thanks for the replies.


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:52 am
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Hello Ginsters, be welcome here!

1- Playability depends a lot on the model. The factories in those countries produce a large number of guitars. You may love the fatter neck of a MIM Baja Tele and hate the skinnier neck of the MIM Standard, or vice versa! It's really personal most of times. I don't see the finish quality of the MIM ones being any worse than the japanese (and I had both). Both Japan and Mexico factories offer Teles with different pickups and configurations. US guitars usually offer better tuners, pickups and finish than all the others, but you should to have in mind if it's really worth paying 2-3 times more for one of them. You can achieve great results by getting a much cheaper guitar and changing pickups.

2 - I find the pickups that have a bit more output than average (a little more middy) more versatile. Lets say from 7.5-8k for a bridge pickup.

3 - Squier Classic Vibe Tele or an used MIM Classic Series or a japanese reissue, if you can find them. Of course, try going to a store first and play some Teles - narrow them down to what kind of neck you liked the most and then, what kind of pickups. Check the fretwork. I prefer guitars that feel comfortable first - if the strings bends well, if there is no fret sprout and the neck shape feels good in my hands. Weight is also a factor. If it doesn't feel good in my hands, I don't even plug it.

4 - You want a basic amp, with EQ and overdrive? How much you can spend? Tubes or Digital? Effects loop? Another long way to go :)


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:16 pm
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I should be able to spend around £1200 ($1900 I think) for a guitar and an amp/extras. My knowledge is limited but the main thing I want is a nice tone when clean, I'm not too bothered about fancy effects except maybe to switch on overdrive for solos, so I would need a pedal as well?


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:40 pm
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Welcome to the tele forum,
I have been playing guitar for 40 years mainly accoustic until recently. I started out with a Squire tele custome vibe 50's that I thought was very good for the money (I payed$260. new) only thing I didn't like was the gloss neck. I also had a squire custom vibe 60's strat that was a very nice sounding quitar. However I have since sold both and bought a spectial run stanard tele(mexico) that is all natural ash w./ tortouse shell pick guard and satin neck. I have to say the difference is amazing super sound and very easy to play[/list]


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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:15 pm
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Hey ginster, and yeah not surprised you got your mind set on a good ole tele. good looking guitar and very reliable in almost every genre. i think you should start off with a MIM tele if its gonna be your first tele. even though they are made in mexico they are still really reliable.

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Guitars:
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:37 pm
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The Highway Ones are US made and have just reduced price to from $899 to $699US at about any online music store. I just got one this week and love it.


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Post subject: Re: Newbie here with some questions about tele's
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:35 pm
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Ginsters wrote:
1. How much of a difference in tone and playability is there between USA made fenders and others like from Japan and Mexico?

2. What kind of pickups do you guys like to use and what are your opinions of them on a telecaster?

3. What tele would you suggest as a 2nd guitar, bearing in mind I want it to last a while.

4. Finally what amp would you suggest, I'll mainly be playing poprock, blues and country and one which would be suitable for small gigs.


Hey Ginsters, welcome to the forums. There are a whole heap of hardcore Tele addicts, including myself, kicking around. All of the above advice is solid, but here is my two cents....

1. Not much. I've played American Teles that sound great and plenty of Mexican ones that sound just as good. There is absolutely nothing, in my mind, inferior about the Mexican guitars; some of the American ones are deemed superior because of certain appointments. For example, the American Deluxe has the S-1 switching system and a contoured body -- features not found on the Mexican Standards.

2. I play using the stock pickups, and they sound great. Too many people, I find, buy a guitar and immediately swap pickups. The pickups are not a major factor in the tone chain: player, guitar, amp and then pickups.

3. Since your budget is somewhat limited, I would recommend a Mexican Standard. If you're willing to look at used guitars, some excellent deals can be had on American Standards or Highway Ones.

4. For small gigs you can't go wrong with a Pro Junior -- if you're able to use a mic in front of it. If you need enough muscle to cover a band without a mic, you're probably looking at 40 watts. The Hot Rod Deluxe, despite what some might say, is a great option: it's not insanely expensive, it sounds great, and can easily keep up with a drummer. If you have the luxury of a good PA system, you should look at a Pro Junior or a Blues Junior. They're essentially the same basic amp except that the the BJ has more features -- a three-band EQ and reverb -- and a 12" speaker, but the Pro Junior has a 10" speaker and sounds better. They're both excellent amps though....


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