It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:17 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Tonal difference between 52 and Baja
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:30 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
The Baja was the first (and only) Tele I ever purchased.
It was a bit of a gamble, because I was Strat guy forever until finally seeing (hearing) the light which is the Telecaster monstrous tone.

So I bought the Baja as a test - to see whether I would be at home with a Tele. And the test proved positive. I love the Tele tone. But now I keep wondering whether I should upgrade to the real McCoy and go for the daddy - i.e. the 52, which so many people worship.

So my question is what is the main tonal difference between the Baja and the 52? I am after some really gritty (but musical) tone, reminiscent of the Stones, Black Crowes, Aerosmith - that sort of thing.

Is it really worth spending that much extra?

Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Tonal difference between 52 and Baja
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:43 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:05 pm
Posts: 684
Location: Canada
This is a difficult question to answer because guitars are subjective based on who's playing them. The '52RI is revered simply because it's the original Tele specs. It's basically the ultimate purist's Telecaster. However, since it is built to 1952 specs, it has a number of differences from a modern Tele - and not so much tonal differences.

Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer. The Baja has a polyester finish and is much more durable.

Wood: Both have Ash bodies and Maple necks. So that's a draw.

Neck: '52RI has a U-shaped neck back instead of the modern C-shape. This makes the neck feel larger - more "chunky". The 52 also has a smaller fretboard radius at 7.25" (modern is 9.5"). This can be an issue if you're a player who does a lot of bends - they will choke out sooner on the 7.25" radius. Also, the frets are vintage sized - much smaller than the medium jumbos most of us are used to. All these things combine to make a guitar that feels very different from the Baja.

As for pickups, well YMMV on that. The Baja comes with a Broadcaster style pickup - which is very similar to the Original Vintage pickup in the 52. I have a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup in one Tele, and I would say it's nearly indistinguishable from the stock bridge pickup in my '52.
The Baja also has the Twisted Tele neck pickup - which is regarded by many players to be the best Tele neck pickup ever produced.

The Baja in itself is a fine guitar - and in fact is considered by many to be the best Tele for your money out there. IMHO, if you're talking purely about tone, I don't feel there is enough audible difference to justify the expense of dumping a Baja to buy a '52. Now, if you want that vintage feel when it comes to playability, then yeah, the 52 can't really be matched. But the only way for you to determine that for yourself is to get your hands around a 52 and try it out.

_________________
The ultimate Rolling Stones experience!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMainStreetExiles


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tonal difference between 52 and Baja
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:06 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 190
Powdered Toast Man wrote:
This is a difficult question to answer because guitars are subjective based on who's playing them. The '52RI is revered simply because it's the original Tele specs. It's basically the ultimate purist's Telecaster. However, since it is built to 1952 specs, it has a number of differences from a modern Tele - and not so much tonal differences.

Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer. The Baja has a polyester finish and is much more durable.

Wood: Both have Ash bodies and Maple necks. So that's a draw.

Neck: '52RI has a U-shaped neck back instead of the modern C-shape. This makes the neck feel larger - more "chunky". The 52 also has a smaller fretboard radius at 7.25" (modern is 9.5"). This can be an issue if you're a player who does a lot of bends - they will choke out sooner on the 7.25" radius. Also, the frets are vintage sized - much smaller than the medium jumbos most of us are used to. All these things combine to make a guitar that feels very different from the Baja.

As for pickups, well YMMV on that. The Baja comes with a Broadcaster style pickup - which is very similar to the Original Vintage pickup in the 52. I have a Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pickup in one Tele, and I would say it's nearly indistinguishable from the stock bridge pickup in my '52.
The Baja also has the Twisted Tele neck pickup - which is regarded by many players to be the best Tele neck pickup ever produced.

The Baja in itself is a fine guitar - and in fact is considered by many to be the best Tele for your money out there. IMHO, if you're talking purely about tone, I don't feel there is enough audible difference to justify the expense of dumping a Baja to buy a '52. Now, if you want that vintage feel when it comes to playability, then yeah, the 52 can't really be matched. But the only way for you to determine that for yourself is to get your hands around a 52 and try it out.


Than you, Sir.
Very helpful answer.
I don't really crave the vintage playability. In fact I much prefer the improvements that a modern guitar offers (especially the fretboard radius). The only thing I am interested about is tone. Andy from Pro Guitar Shop has this 52 Tele that he uses to test amps and pedals and that thing has the most unbelievable tone ever - thick, woody and musical - almost 3D.
It's that tone I am after so I thought I would get the guita but I think it's Andy technique and gear.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tonal difference between 52 and Baja
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:24 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:05 pm
Posts: 684
Location: Canada
Ah, I see. I agree with you about the modern playability appointments. That's why I bought a Limited Edition '52 - it has things like a 9.5" radius and 6105 frets.

Also keep in mind that a well set up guitar helps a lot. Make sure your Baja is set up the way you like it. Also, the pickup heights have a LOT to do with the tone - more so than I ever believed possible. I had one neck pickup that I didn't care for and then I decided to play with the height. A few turns of a screwdriver later and it really improved the tone. Don't be afraid to experiment - you can always put it back to where it was. One more thing is that it's critical to work the volume and tone knobs. There are a number of players out there (not saying you're one) that think the guitar's controls should always be full open. I was one of these for years myself. Backing down those knobs a bit is the key to getting those thicker tones out of a Tele.

I mean, a Telecaster is still going to sound like a Telecaster. Especially when both have Ash bodies and vintage voiced pickups. Heck, the Baja even has the vintage style bridge with 3 brass saddles. These reasons are probably why the Baja is so popular among Tele players. It's not so much that the '52 is the "best of the best", it's just a very specific set of specifications with a classic look that appeals to a number of players.

_________________
The ultimate Rolling Stones experience!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMainStreetExiles


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: