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Post subject: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:42 pm
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Hey there,

first time poster, checked through a few pages first, but couldn't find the help im after. Ive played a lot of acoustic over the years, because of its mobility, but im looking to get a solid all round electric, to keep for a long time. I know almost nothing about electric guitars.

Im mostly into teles, because i love how they look. I also like how they are put to use through a variety of music. From metal (jim root, of slipknot - yes im aware of his jim root edition with different pick ups etc) to classic zep, floyd, lots of radiohead etc. Ive had a little play on one, and like the neck and feel too.

So i have some general electric newb questions, and some tele specific. If someone can help, that would be amazing!!

* Is a tele going to be a good thing to look into considering i like some quite heavy and distorted stuff, or is it a bit bluesy for me? Is there any trouble in changing to some heavier strings and tuning it down a bit?

* Is there much of a difference between the american standard, and american special? In Aus where i am, the special is more expensive, but it seems on the american site, the standard is worth more over there? I know the pick ups are different, but what can i expect out of the sound?? The bridge looks different, but im unsure which is better. Can someone tell me what the difference is between the texas special single coil pick up (on the special), and the American Tele® Single-Coil Pickup on the standard, in terms of how they sound?


NOTE - it is likely i wont be able to play too many of them, because im looking to get one wholesale... Its almost impossible me being able to play the one i would actually get.

Note 2 - yes im aware people will say they think tele's are great on a tele forum...


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:10 pm
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the main difference between the american standard and the american special is the bridge. The special has the vintage style bridge where the standard has the modern bridge. Having played both instruments recently I would opt for the American standard personally. I like the sound of the one that I played better. although both feel very similar the American Standard sounded better to my ears. you can get a really nice rock sound of a tele without modifying anything. as far as Metal, it depends on what type of metal you are talking about. You can definitely throw heavier strings on it (11's or whatever) with proper adjustments to the guitar without any issues. the cool thing about telecasters is that there are so many pickups that you can throw on it. check out dimarzio pickups (my favorite) and see what you can do! Also check this out
http://www.toneshapers.com/ToneShaper-f ... 1C325.aspx
the possibilities are almost endless. seriously. I think that a Tele is more versatile that almost anything.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:59 pm
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Thanks cripps. Much obliged.

In terms of metal, not really super heavy stuff, or super hard core. Just want to make sure im not making a rookie mistake by getting a completely unsuitable guitar.

So the difference between the american standard's and the american special's pick ups, arent that easy to put into words? just more of a personal preferance of sound?

One last question, how difficult are the "proper adjustments" when changing to heavier strings? Will it cost me much to get done? Im happy stringing acoustics etc, but wouldnt want to mess around too much with a new electric myself....

Im thinking the American standard is looking like the entry into electric guitars i need.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:35 am
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I hear that setting intonation is easier with the modern bridge.
May hear a flood of rebuttals about this but...

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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:53 pm
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a setup includes adjusting; intonation, truss rod, and maybe filing nut to fit heavier strings better. in the us you can pay anywhere between $50-20 depending on where you go for a proper set up.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 10:31 am
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I'm going to be somewhat contrarian here and say that given what you're talking about for music, you might be better off with a fat Strat. This gives you the heavier sound with a bridge humbucker and the sweeter sounds in the neck plus a middle pickup and ability to mix the sounds. You can certainly do the same with a tele by making modifications, but it seems like if you can get what you want right out of the box without screwing with it, why not?

I have a couple strats including a fat strat and am currently looking specifically for a tele with a couple single coils. I went guitar shopping yesterday and played a variety of different ones and am hopefully making a trade for one later this week, if all works out.

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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 1:07 pm
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Some of the differences are as follows:

American Special
$1,149.99 USD list
Jumbo frets
Standard 4 Bolt Neck
Texas Special™ Tele® Single-Coil Pickup
Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit (rolls off high without adding bass)
Vintage Style 3-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Tele® Bridge
Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
- Special also has:
Satin Urethane neck Finish
Deluxe Gig Bag

American Standard
$1,399.99 - $1,569.99 USD list
Medium Jumbo frets
4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt™
American Tele® Single-Coil Pickup
No-Load Tone Control
New American Standard Bent Steel Saddles and Stamped Brass Plate
Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
- Standard also has:
Five-Screw Mounted Brass Bridge Plate for Sonic Stability
Loaded with Improved Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots, for Increased Resonance and Sustain
Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance
Tinted Neck, Maple Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Front
Rosewood Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back
Gloss Finish on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
4-Bolt Neck Attachment with Micro-Tilt™ Adjustment
Bi-Flex Truss Rod System
Rolled Fretboard Edges
Rolled Fingerboard Edges
H/S/H Pickup Routing
Sharper '52 Style Body Radius
Molded Fender/SKB Case with TSA Locks, Glass Reinforced Nylon Trigger Latches, and Form Fitted Plush Interior

So yes... there are differences

But all that being said... I have the Americal Special and I love it!

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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 11:32 pm
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Everything "Auriemma" sais is true right out of the book.
To put it simpley an American Standard Tele is one fine guitar, I have a 2011 and LOVE IT. But My wife has a MIM Strat and its more comfortable to hold,mostley because of the shape and hers is a little lighter wt. than mine. I am going for a new Am. St. Strat as well I love them both. Check them out closley and play the heck out of them both. dont rush into it. Have fun and take your time, they wont run out. :) --------Danny,


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:57 am
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If it helps at all, here is a video of my '10 American special running through an ME50 and a marshall25.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY3QjN39VYE


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:29 am
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Any guitar is appropriate for any style.
I can play jazz or fusion or anything you name with a tele.

Tone is from the fingers and the settings used, amp used et cetera.
I can play classical on a dean or shred on a tele.
It doesn't preclude you from playing any style.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 5:13 am
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AngryHatter wrote:
I can play classical on a dean or shred on a tele.
It doesn't preclude you from playing any style.


Classical on any steel-string guitar, acoustic or electric, isn't going to sound right, not if you're trying to actually play the music properly.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 9:46 am
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+1

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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 9:48 am
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prolog wrote:
AngryHatter wrote:
I can play classical on a dean or shred on a tele.
It doesn't preclude you from playing any style.


Classical on any steel-string guitar, acoustic or electric, isn't going to sound right, not if you're trying to actually play the music properly.

You tell that to the profs at Berklee.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 11:33 am
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AngryHatter wrote:
prolog wrote:
AngryHatter wrote:
I can play classical on a dean or shred on a tele.
It doesn't preclude you from playing any style.


Classical on any steel-string guitar, acoustic or electric, isn't going to sound right, not if you're trying to actually play the music properly.

You tell that to the profs at Berklee.


Hey Guys! I'm new to the forum, and am waiting for my american deluxe to arrive any day now! In response to the above post, I think your mistake is using the words classical, professors, and Berklee in the same sentence. As a college professor in a well known music department, I can tell you personally that Berklee isn't much more than a school of rock at this point.


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Post subject: Re: New to telecasters - Am special vs standard help
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 3:16 pm
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Really??? :!: :!:
http://www.berklee.edu/courses/deptlist ... Department

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