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Post subject: So I've decided I don't like the American Standard...
Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:22 pm
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It's too bad really, cause I wanted to like it. Especially since I was GASsing for a CR one with a maple board. But... After plugging in two different ones at local stores on two separate occasions, I've come to the conclusion that I just don't care for the current AS series Tele. I'm not sure what it is, but it just doesn't do anything for me.

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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:06 pm
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Hmm, what is it you don't like about it? I bought an 08 last year and I tend to play it more than any of my other guitars. Of course it is my first Tele as I've always owned and played Strats. In fact the Tele is the cheapest of my collection. Just wondering. :)


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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:11 pm
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It's nothing I can put my finger on, honestly. There's nothing wrong with them, I just don't feel the mojo or magic or whatever you want to call it when I play them. The pickups sound...ok, then neck feels...ok, the guitar feels...ok. Overall it's just "ok". Not something I could see myself dropping $1300 on.

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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:20 pm
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If it doesn't feel right for you, you did the right thing. Before I left the shop with mine I had them do a complete setup with new 10 gauge strings. Then I changed the pick guard and adjusted the pup heights so both pups had the same sweet spot and volume. I guess it's just the new feeling of a Tele vs a Strat that I liked. Thanks for the reply. :wink:


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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:42 pm
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I've had similar experiences with AS Teles over the years. I've played a bunch in guitar stores and used to play bass in a cover band with a guy who had a sunburst/maple one.

They're fine guitars, and I'd prefer an AS Tele over any non-Telecaster electric guitar, but they strike me as sort of dull and generic.

I've found no fault with the workmanship - fine fretwork, etc. but there's just something about them that doesn't turn me on. Maybe it's the six-saddle bridge. The ones I've played just haven't had that raunchy sound like a good Telecaster should. They don't scream; they purr.

They're too smooth and civilized for me.

I'd still prefer an AS Tele over a Strat, Les Paul, etc.


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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:17 am
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George wrote:
They're fine guitars, and I'd prefer an AS Tele over any non-Telecaster electric guitar, but they strike me as sort of dull and generic.


+1

I've played a number of AS Teles over the past couple years and, while I'd happily take one for free, I have yet to locate one with the character and feel of my personal Telecaster, a mid-2000s MIM model.

Strange, isn't it?

I also dislike the Am. Deluxe series. Too much crap stuck on that thing: Teles shouldn't have contoured bodies, and they definitely shouldn't have alternate pickup arrangements. Or buttons. They should all be banged to sh!!t and have a cigarette burn on the headstock.


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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:50 pm
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That is very interesting, as when choosing my Tele I played every Tele in the shop (52 reissue, MIM, MIA Deluxe, road worn, custom, baja...) and the USA Standard was my favourite out of the lot!

I literally couldn't put it down after about 5 mins, and the sound was exactly what I was looking for.

It is facinating how different people like different things :)


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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:54 pm
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I recently fell in love with a MIM Tele. I went into a store a few weeks ago to get something else (other than a new guitar) and I went to check out the Tele's, of course. They had a special run ash MIM that I thought looked pretty cool (natural finish with pearl pickguard) so I took it down to try it out. Big mistake. After a couple of minutes I knew I had to have it. It just felt 'right'. Hard to explain. I ended up buying it a few days later.

I already had an American Tele, but this MIM is getting much more play time and feels much more comfortable. I'm not sure if it is the set-up, the neck, whatever. I don't care really, they are both fine guitars but I think I'll be grabbing the MIM before the MIA for quite a long time.

Moral of the story....who knows. I'm just sharing my experience. Maybe the point of the story is that it doesn't matter where it is made, it's the playability and how it feels to the individual that matters.


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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:02 am
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Just wated to add my experience ................ I got an MIA Standard Tele about 6 months ago and it has become my go-to guitar ... replacing my Strat (maybe its just playing something new). I played most of the Teles in the local GC .... MIM, Highway 1, Road Worn, MIA Deluxe etc, and for me the MIA Standard felt best and played best. It just proves that its all very personal and subjective. I do agree with the prior post that the MIA Deluxe is mis-guided ... too complex for a Tele. The beauty of the Tele is in its simplicity. Its up to the guitarist to make it sing.

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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:41 am
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I had one from about 2005. Dunno if they've improved them, but alongside my 60's Classic it sounded lifeless and without character and it 'felt' the same way too somehow.... I just never bonded with it – maybe that's the problem... not a bad guitar, just not the one for you.


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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:51 pm
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Totally not bashing the AS Tele here guys. I think they're well made guitars, but I just can't get a feel for them. I've got two mid 90's MIM Teles and I've always been a Tele guy but the AS just didn't do anything at all for me.

It's kinda like when I was a bassist full time - I had an American Deluxe Jazz and it was an awesome bass, but I ended up selling it and keeping my MIM Jazz (with mods) because the MIM just had more 'mojo'.

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Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:03 am
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Sorry to chip in again, but it's as if the American Standard is just that... Standard. It doesn't have any bad points, but the sum of the parts doesn't add up to as much as it should. If it had a couple of quirks of design, maybe it would have what the post above said... Mojo.


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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:07 pm
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The new American Std series (as opposed to the American Series, which is pre-2008) ARE a step up in quality, playability and also sound.

I have had many unsolicited comments from fellow musicians on how good they sound. :D

I have four of the new American Standard guitars now for the very reason that they are just awesome Teles to play and look at. 8)


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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:19 pm
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I feel that it is kind of like a woman...yes you can date a million different women...but when you see/meet your soulmate the moment you lay your eyes on her and the first time you hold her and kiss her...you know...that is how it is with my wife...and with my Tele...Brooklyn


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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:33 pm
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As I said earlier, I love mine! I must have just found the right one! 8) :wink:


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