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Post subject: Classic Player Baja Telecaster
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:35 am
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Question directed at Fender dudes or Baja Tele owners.

I'm looking to buy my first Tele. I prefer vintage bridges, maple fretboards and *that* original Tele sound, but I'm not a huge fan of the vintage 'board radius. The Classic Player Baja Telecaster looks like it ticks all the boxes for me - apart from, possibly, the pickups.

The Baja spec sheet says about the pups:

1 Custom Shop “Twisted” Tele® Single-Coil (Neck)
1 Custom Shop Broadcaster Single-Coil (Bridge)


And in the column marked "Unique features" adds:

Custom Shop ‘69 Pickups

My question is this. S1 switching aside, will this guitar/these pups give me anything near *that* Tele sound associated with, say, a 52 original? Or should I just buy a Classic '50s version and try to live with the vintage radius? I'm looking to use the guitar for tunes from the likes of Springsteen and Radiohead, using a Blues Junior.

I should add that my budget cannot extend to a US-made reissue - for this purchase at least. Thanks.

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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:24 pm
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Revolution Blues...I owned a Baja Tele for about a week and liked, actually loved, everything about it except the bridge. I found the screws in the in the saddles would dig into my hand as I tend to rest my hand on the bridge while playing (my problem, not Fender’s). The sound of the Baja Tele is very cool. On one hand it is a big, fat and full yet on the other hand it has the traditional razor sharp attack that Teles are known. It sounds fabulous clean or overdriven. I put a set of Dean Markley Blue Steel strings on it and the sound was amazing. There was a little of the infamous single coil buzz however it was very minimal and almost imperceptible.

I also dislike a tiny vintage radius as I prefer a flat neck and low action. I have small hands. However, I found the V-shaped neck and 9.5” radius of the Baja Tele to be very comfortable. I was able to get the neck quite flat and action very low. I recently spent a couple of hours playing a Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Strat that also has a V-shaped neck with a 9.5” radius and found it extraordinarily comfortable as well. The V-shaped neck is wonderful.

I considered changing the bridge on the Baja and possibly installing a pearl pick guard but decided these changes would really spoil the vintage vibe of the guitar. So although it was difficult decision, I ended up returning the Baja Tele and traded up for an American Deluxe Tele with the SCN pickups and the modern C shaped neck with 9.5” radius. I would say after owning the American Deluxe Tele for a couple months now I do have a preference for the V-shaped neck that is on the Baja Tele.

The sound of the SCN pickups is similar to yet slightly different from other Teles I have tried such as the Baja, MIM Nashville, or American Teles. I would say the Baja Tele is slightly brighter sounding than the American Deluxe Tele but not at all thin or “ice pick in the ear” bright. I have not played a ’52, but based on my experience with the Baja Tele I think you would be very happy with the sound for the type of music you indicated, especially through a Blues Junior (and a good overdrive pedal and Compressor if you have them).

I don’t know if that helps you at all. I will say if I wanted to acquire an additional Tele the Baja would be right at the top of my list to consider. They are an amazing instrument for $800 and a true joy to play.


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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:12 pm
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Extremely helpful - thank you.

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