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Post subject: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:40 pm
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Hey, everybody --

I am a raw beginner in electric guitars and I really appreciate the sounds of various guitars -- hollow, semi-hollow, and hardbody. I currently have an Epiphone Dot, but I want to get a Fender Telecaster sometime soon. The hollow will come after that.

I understand how wood affects tone and I would like an Alder bodied Fender. I have been comparing the Squier Classic Vibe and the Standard Fender. Roughly the same price and the materials are pretty close. Is the quality of craftsmanship the same?

The Standard has standard single-coil tele pickups, and a 6-saddle standard strings-through-body tele with block saddles. The Squier has custom vintage-style single-coil tele pickups, and a 3-saddle vintage-style strings-through-body tele with brass barrel saddles. I like to hear your thoughts on the bridge differences between the modern Fender vs the vintage style Squier.

What would be the pros and cons for the Squier and the Standard? Would an upgrade to the Blacktop be a good move?

Of course my initial reaction is "Get the Fender and upgrade the hardware/electronics in the years to come." Is that realistic or just brand snobbery?


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 1:54 am
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I try the Classic Vibes , great guitar for the price .

My main guitars are all expensives ones ; American Standard , American Deluxe ........


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:04 am
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Joe90 wrote:
Would an upgrade to the Blacktop be a good move?

That's a different animal altogether - more modern, maybe even a bit nonTelelike with those humbuckers. And it's got 22 frets, if that makes a difference to you.
Worth considering especially if you play hard rock and such styles...

Joe90 wrote:
Of course my initial reaction is "Get the Fender and upgrade the hardware/electronics in the years to come." Is that realistic or just brand snobbery?

IMHO it's snobbery, but there's nothing wrong with that :wink:

On all those other questions you asked, I'd say it boils down to personal preferences.
Go & play the guitars - the subtle differences (like the neck finish, or that .025" difference in the nut width) are often enough to make one guitar feel more "yours" than others.


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:31 am
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Joe90 wrote:
Hey, everybody --

I understand how wood affects tone and I would like an Alder bodied Fender.


Does it? That's pretty much the single most contentious topic in guitar forum history. That, or nitro vs poly, and rosewood vs maple necks.

Play a few. Buy on feel and sound, not what you think the specs and materials should or shouldn't do.


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:13 am
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Drubbing wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
Hey, everybody --

I understand how wood affects tone and I would like an Alder bodied Fender.


Does it? That's pretty much the single most contentious topic in guitar forum history. That, or nitro vs poly, and rosewood vs maple necks.

Play a few. Buy on feel and sound, not what you think the specs and materials should or shouldn't do.



+1


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:21 pm
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jmattis wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
Would an upgrade to the Blacktop be a good move?

That's a different animal altogether - more modern, maybe even a bit nonTelelike with those humbuckers. And it's got 22 frets, if that makes a difference to you.
Worth considering especially if you play hard rock and such styles...


That's good information. Basically I want a Telecaster that sounds more Telecaster than NonTelecaster.

jmattis wrote:
On all those other questions you asked, I'd say it boils down to personal preferences. Go & play the guitars - the subtle differences (like the neck finish, or that .025" difference in the nut width) are often enough to make one guitar feel more "yours" than others.


I walk into my local guitar shop -- or even look online and I see so many versions. I was hoping that some of you guys could give some advice.


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:41 pm
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Drubbing wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
I understand how wood affects tone and I would like an Alder bodied Fender.


Does it? That's pretty much the single most contentious topic in guitar forum history. That, or nitro vs poly, and rosewood vs maple necks.


Sounds like I stepped into a controversy on only my 3rd post... :shock:

Like I said, I'm very new to guitars. I believe I detect a tonal difference in my upright Yamaha between Winter and Summer and that's because the piano's softwood Spruce soundboard (among other things) is affected by humidity. Perhaps I may be guilty of a fallacious conflation of stringed instruments?

Note to self: don't bring up the subjects of Politics, Religion, or Tonewood :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:30 pm
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My suggestion: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TeleCV50BB/
Here's why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h75TyVoHiZ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fHKNVhhq5o Results are also on YouTube.

I have one and am very pleased with it.
'Down the road' you may wish to do the 4 position switch mod which retains the original three sounds and adds the two pups in series for somewhat of a humbucker sound. I've done this and like the results. Why pay more? It's more than a guitar for beginners.

_________________
The quintessential sound of 60/70's R&R:
Fender Tube Amps
Gibson Guitars


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:38 pm
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Joe90 wrote:
Basically I want a Telecaster that sounds more Telecaster than NonTelecaster.

That doesn't really help, because what one person thinks sounds like a Telecaster won't be the same for another. Do you want a tele that sounds like Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, Keith Richards of Rolling Stones, Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood or George Harrison of The Beatles?
Or are you after country twang? You don't really need a tele for that - more than anything you just need to pick really close to the bridge. It can be easier with a Tele with a slanted bridge pickup and bleedoff cap, but it's not really needed.


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 11:34 pm
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Joe90 wrote:
I walk into my local guitar shop -- or even look online and I see so many versions. I was hoping that some of you guys could give some advice.

You can make it easier for yourself.

First decide your price class.
Then think about if you need a Fender, or will you be satisfied with a Squier (IMHO, better to be a bit of a snob than have a guitar you don't like to play because of the label... :twisted: ).
Then decide the color(s) you want/need/must have.

And presto - suddenly you have a lot less options in the store.

BTW, this will not be the last guitar you buy. So don't worry too much about getting a Tele for the rest of your life.


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:41 am
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arth1 wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
Basically I want a Telecaster that sounds more Telecaster than NonTelecaster.

That doesn't really help, because what one person thinks sounds like a Telecaster won't be the same for another. Do you want a tele that sounds like Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, Keith Richards of Rolling Stones, Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood or George Harrison of The Beatles?
Or are you after country twang? You don't really need a tele for that - more than anything you just need to pick really close to the bridge. It can be easier with a Tele with a slanted bridge pickup and bleedoff cap, but it's not really needed.



+1 , sound it is the hand too, not only guitar


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:46 am
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Joe90 , you must buy a first one , the best you can try on a store for the money you have

With experience ,the next one in few years would be better for you .


You have to do your own experience .


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Post subject: Re: Telecasters For A Beginner
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:10 am
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stratele52 wrote:
arth1 wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
Basically I want a Telecaster that sounds more Telecaster than NonTelecaster.

That doesn't really help, because what one person thinks sounds like a Telecaster won't be the same for another. Do you want a tele that sounds like Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, Keith Richards of Rolling Stones, Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood or George Harrison of The Beatles?
Or are you after country twang? You don't really need a tele for that - more than anything you just need to pick really close to the bridge. It can be easier with a Tele with a slanted bridge pickup and bleedoff cap, but it's not really needed.



+1 , sound it is the hand too, not only guitar


I agree on this 100%. Not matter how much I tried through the years, I could never quite sound like Liberace.

jmattis wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
I walk into my local guitar shop -- or even look online and I see so many versions. I was hoping that some of you guys could give some advice.

You can make it easier for yourself.

First decide your price class.

Then decide the color(s) you want/need/must have.

And presto - suddenly you have a lot less options in the store.

BTW, this will not be the last guitar you buy. So don't worry too much about getting a Tele for the rest of your life.



stratele52 wrote:
Joe90 , you must buy a first one , the best you can try on a store for the money you have

With experience ,the next one in few years would be better for you .
You have to do your own experience .


I'll take your advice on this.

Thanks for the patient advice, guys.


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