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Post subject: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 12:25 pm
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Hi all!

For a long time I've been wanting to buy a Telecaster but there are so many versions that I really don't know which one to get. I play different styles, (from Jazz to Metal) but I have guitars for particular styles (hollow bodies for jazz, 7 strings for metal) and I would use my Telecaster to play mostly rock and blues, but occasionally jazz as well. So I want one that could get me a nice, round clean jazz tone as well as a good distorted rock/blues sound without being too muddy.

As for the amp, i'd run it through a Peavey XXX 120w and sometimes a 90w Fender Champion 300.

If possible i'd like to stay under 1000$.

Any recommendations?


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 4:10 pm
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Welcome to the forum.

As you say there are many to chose from. I'd guess any of the single coil models would probably suit you, you can get a nice jazz clean out of the neck pickup and a harder sound with both pickups or with just the bridge pickup on it's own.

You could take a look at both the Player Baja Tele at $799.99 and the American Special Tele at $899.99. I'm assuming you're in the USA.

There are some other models that are equally as nice such as the Classic 50s Tele also at $799.99.

Also checkout demos on YouTube. But to be honest in reviews on there all telecasters sound pretty much the same really you need to play it and hear it in person.

It's worth shopping around you may find them cheaper somewhere else, also go into a shop and try a few you may hit on something that you like straight away, don't let price or country of manufacture cloud your judgement; if it feels great and sounds great, that's probably because it's great :D

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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 5:14 am
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A Blacktop Telecaster HH would do rock,blues and metal for sure im not sure about jazz as i dont play jazz

A Blacktop Baritone Telecaster still got the single coils in it (middle and neck) so id say that would cover all four genres

they should be around $499.99 worth every penny and more

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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 8:42 pm
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corpseknot wrote:
A Blacktop Telecaster HH would do rock,blues and metal for sure im not sure about jazz as i dont play jazz

A Blacktop Baritone Telecaster still got the single coils in it (middle and neck) so id say that would cover all four genres

they should be around $499.99 worth every penny and more


Is that one a MIM?


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 3:22 am
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corpseknot wrote:
A Blacktop Baritone Telecaster still got the single coils in it (middle and neck) so id say that would cover all four genres


There are also alternatives to the Blacktop Baritone: the Subsonic and the Bajo Sexto.

Discontinued.

You can find them on eBay.


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:42 am
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reno2atlanta wrote:
corpseknot wrote:
A Blacktop Telecaster HH would do rock,blues and metal for sure im not sure about jazz as i dont play jazz

A Blacktop Baritone Telecaster still got the single coils in it (middle and neck) so id say that would cover all four genres

they should be around $499.99 worth every penny and more


Is that one a MIM?


Yep the Blacktops are MIM. Really good quality for the money

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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:12 am
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I own an American Special Tele and it can really get where you want to be.
For the price, I'd say I am getting more out of her than my American Standard Strat that I paid
at the time $1,500.00.
However, Telecaster guitars are great looking instrument BUT, you defenatly need to try them, feel them, understand the way they handle. It's a completly different feeling than playing a Strat shape guitar. The telecasters are like "Jeep®" you try them and you fall in love or you hate, you dont buy for the look. Make sure that when you try them to play them sitted AND standing.
if you like the feel and you can express yourself comfortably, Then be carefull, you will want them all..!!


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:14 am
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In your target price range, look for a pre-owned American Standard. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:11 am
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I always thought Teles were cool - never owned one until a couple of years ago. The local dealer gave up or lost the Fender line, but they had this one tele still in the store, a 2006 USA Standard HS with an S1 switch. So I bought it for what I thought was a good price. Didn't 'shop' for a tele, just knew the USA Standard was high quality.

I've been thinking about a project guitar and I recently checked out a number of MIM teles to see what style of body I might want to look for. Anyway, the necks on those guitars just didn't seem to be of the same quality as the one I own. Not saying those guitars are not worth the money or that they are not good guitars, but I'd definitely include a USA Standard in your quest.

Btw, bought an Am Deluxe Strat two months ago - not impulse but close - it is an awesome guitar with a compound radius neck. Very comfortable, but I still reach for the Tele - a lot. The new Am Deluxe Teles have a contour body and a compound radius neck I believe. More moola of course.


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:38 pm
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TeleStrat1960 wrote:
The new Am Deluxe Teles have a contour body and a compound radius neck I believe.


The American Deluxe Telecaster always sported Strat-style contours.

Only the "Ash" versions produced after January 1st, 2004 came with a slab body.

The compound fingerboard radius didn't came into surface until March 23th, 2010.


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:26 am
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I would consider getting a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. They are amazing for the value and will hold you over until you figure out what you want. Also you may just stick with it. I have more money in my pocket to boot. :D


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 3:20 am
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I choose the new butter scotch blonde American Special. Its got everything you'll need, its got the classic looks and beauty and most of all the price is right.


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:12 am
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Have you chosen a tele yet?

First things first, as stated previously, be careful 'cause if you like them, you'll want them all. I am one of those unsuspecting victims of tele delight. Always been a strat man, went in to buy a Am Std Strat, walked out with an Am Std Tele as well. It is now my weapon of choice. You only live once right....

Since that faithful day I've become obsessed and tried most models,the humbuckers on tele's are more rock oriented IMO. The single coil version/standard configuration are the most versatile, which brings your options down to a reasonable number.

The Squire Classic Vibe, MIM Standard, American Special or American Std (not to sure of price where you are) are all excellent. I just loved the warmth of the neck pickup in my 2012 American Std, and the bridge pickup scorches with a bit of distortion.


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 7:32 am
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American Standard. Easy to find a used one in mint condition (2010 or newer) for $700 to $800 on ebay. Take your pick. Or you can get a brand new one for $900 if you simply tell GC or MF to give you a discount. These questions are easy when the budget is $1,000! 8)


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Post subject: Re: Which Telecaster should I buy?
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 7:37 am
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TeleStrat1960 wrote:
I always thought Teles were cool - never owned one until a couple of years ago. The local dealer gave up or lost the Fender line, but they had this one tele still in the store, a 2006 USA Standard HS with an S1 switch. So I bought it for what I thought was a good price. Didn't 'shop' for a tele, just knew the USA Standard was high quality.

I've been thinking about a project guitar and I recently checked out a number of MIM teles to see what style of body I might want to look for. Anyway, the necks on those guitars just didn't seem to be of the same quality as the one I own. Not saying those guitars are not worth the money or that they are not good guitars, but I'd definitely include a USA Standard in your quest.

Btw, bought an Am Deluxe Strat two months ago - not impulse but close - it is an awesome guitar with a compound radius neck. Very comfortable, but I still reach for the Tele - a lot. The new Am Deluxe Teles have a contour body and a compound radius neck I believe. More moola of course.


I have a 2011 American Standard I bought used last year for $700 on ebay. More and more it is becoming my favorite guitar, and I also have an Am Standard Strat, Corgan Artist Strat, and '65 Mustang. The tele gives me the cleanest cleans to work with when messing with my looper pedal, but then I can go to the bridge pickup for overdrive soloing practice and it is piercing and cuts through my self-created mix. So many tones on that guitar!

I count 6 truly unique tones on a Tele. The 3 pickup positions, each with all the treble or lots of treble rolled off. Of course, there are actually an infinite # of differences in there with the tone knob, but you know what I mean. Neck pickup with treble way down = jazz tone. Bridge pickup with all the treble...tele spank, which is good high gain too BTW, not just the "twang" everyone mentions. And then everything in between.

I also have a modern player tele, and while the build quality is perfect and it is beautiful, the electronics are definitely noticeably subpar, so much so that that is now my bang around travel guitar and if I really care about having a nice tone, even for playing in front of my friends and family, I use the Am Standard.

Get an American Standard if it's in your budget.


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