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Post subject: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:47 pm
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Why is it that I see used Strats of just about all the years they were produced, but not near as many Teles? I would expect that between EBay and dealers with trade-ins that I would see more variety than I do. Were fewer Teles made, or do people just refuse to part with them?

I have a dozen-plus Strats, but bought my first Tele on a whim last Summer. It came from Gruhn in Nashville, an '89 American Std with maple board and metallic green body, which when I pulled the pick guard was really a metallic blue that had matured a bit. Plays and sounds beautiful. In August it fell on me to play two songs for my lady friend at her funeral :( , and the Tele was the guitar I used - it just played so smoothly that it was an easy choice.

Does this mean that I will buy more of them on the future? I admit, I played a copper-coloured Mexican baritone Tele in a music store today that is calling my name insistently... :)


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:40 am
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Probably a little bit of both - remember the Strat was on the chopping block until Hendrix hit; 1967 was the lowest year of production for Strats. So I suspect that at some point in the early/mid 70s Strat production once again exceeded Tele production and Fender has maintained that ratio ever since. Also, during the 1970s there was really only one Strat model but there were 4 Tele models ("regular", Custom with the neck humbucker, Deluxe with two humbuckers, and thinline with 2 humbuckers) so Tele production was split among multiple models until say 1982 (of course by then there were 2 Strat models - in 1979 there was the "regular" and the 25th Anniversary; then from 1980-1982 there was the "regular" and "The Strat"). Also in 1982 Fender added on Tele (the '52RI) and 2 Strats ('57 and '62RIs).

I also believe you're correct that people who make the decision to buy a Tele normally keep it or if they flip it the get a different Tele that more fits their needs. However, a lot of folks who suddenly decide they want an electric guitar wind up with a Strat because it is so ingrained as "the typical electric" (thanks to Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Gilmour, Blackmore, Malmsteen, etc.). Then when they don't stick with it you find a bunch of used Strats.


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:38 pm
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Interesting, that makes sense. I did not know that there was a day when the Strat might have been discontinued in the 60s. I'll bet Fender is glad they didn't!

After writing the first posting, I wondered if Keith Richards wasn't hogging all the Teles - whenever I see a Stones DVD he is using almost a different one every song! :D


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:51 pm
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I seem to recall reading somewhere - maybe here ! - that there are currently over 50 different model Strats on the market, and around 30 Teles, and I suspect that ratio has been fairly typical for a long time. Plus I think maybe Tele players are more 'loyal' to their guitars over time, especially if they are looking for that typical Tele tone, so less used Teles circulate.

Also, because they are so simple in design and construction, I think a lot of Teles get kept and modded, rather than finding their way onto the second hand market.


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:39 pm
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cnsky54 wrote:
Why is it that I see used Strats of just about all the years they were produced, but not near as many Teles? I would expect that between EBay and dealers with trade-ins that I would see more variety than I do.
I have to agree with this. I am usually on the prowl for Teles when I hit pawn shops or Music-Go-Round or even the used section at GC, but the Teles are few and far between compared to Strats. Going further, I have to say that the ratio of Strat clones to Tele clones leans even further toward the Strats. The ratio runs about the same even when you go down to Squier models - always way more Strats hanging on the wall than Teles.

And for the record, I don't sell any guitars these days - Strat or Tele or otherwise.

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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 2:07 pm
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My guess is that there are far more Strats built than Teles.


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:37 pm
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I think when most people buy a Strat, it's because they've seen it so much and the Tele just isn't as memorable. Then they play the Tele and just know it's the guitar for them and buy it to keep. I didn't know I wanted a Telecaster until I played one, now it's my go to guitar. I'm not even sure if I need the other guitars I have but I do need the Tele and it's a keeper!


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:30 pm
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Just look at the number of posts in the strat forum as opposed to the tele forum. :)


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:34 pm
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I can honestly say that I've never really looked at the Strat Forum. What did you find over there?


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:26 pm
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BrittB wrote:
I can honestly say that I've never really looked at the Strat Forum. What did you find over there?


Lots of people talking about strats. :D


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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:59 pm
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Interesting, since on Craigslist lately, I've seen more Teles than Strats for sale. :)

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Post subject: Re: Where Are the Used Teles?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 4:03 am
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I don't know about in the States or other countries, but over here in the UK a lot of guitar shops will have a wide range of Strats on the walls, but only a small selection of Teles.

That would suggest that they'll sell more Strats, so there's a larger pool to then be resold...


But I suspect it really does come down to people not being as willing to part with their Teles as they are their Strats...

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