best tele for the $$$

Re: best tele for the $$$

Just want to chime in that I picked up a CIJ '52 and I love it. Fender Texas Specials and all... Great tones available from country up to some pretty driving rock. THe neck is a touch too "V" for me, but I've gotten used to it...
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

Just a FYI regarding the MIJ/CIJ Fenders...the guitars that stayed in Japan (i.e., sold in the Japanese market) have the 7.25" fretboard radius. I've played a lot of them and owned several, and they all seem to have it. I've talked to folks who sell lots of them, and they confirm what I'm saying. I'm not sure about the Japanese Fenders that were produced and marketed in the U.S. I know they were built to different specs. I don't know what the board radius is on those guitars. I have little experience playing them.
In short, a 7.25" radius isn't for everyone, especially players who like to bend a lot. They are excellent guitars...very well made, but they're more $$ than a MIM Fender. So if you want the cheapest way out I'd look at the MIMs. I'd try to stay with swamp ash or alder, and I'd avoid poplar at all cost. I've played poplar Nashville Teles, and they didn't behave anything like an ash or alder version. Some like basswood. I don't care for it, but to each their own. I played a new MIM Strat the other day with an alder body and I was impressed. It had a nice chunky neck and it felt and sounded good. For $369.00 I don't think you could go wrong.
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

A while back I went out shopping for a Tele and I played a lot of them, new or used, all makes, one after another, over and over again with the same amp set up. I did this for two weeks and I ended up buying an MIA Tele Deluxe with the S-1 switch. It costed me less than $1,100 and was more than what I had in mind for a Tele before I went out looking for one. Yet, I think it is worth it because its workmanship, playabilaty and sound quialty are exceptional. I consider both the MIA Strat Deluxe and Tele Deluxe are the best MIA guitars you can buy from Fender for the money.
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

Amateur said:
I consider both the MIA Strat Deluxe and Tele Deluxe are the best MIA guitars you can buy from Fender for the money.
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I'm going to be replacing my American strat that I no longer have with a MIA Strat Deluxe really soon. I'll see if you're right :)


oh yeah, and as for the best tele you can buy...this is strictly my opinion but being the Burton fan that I am, ya gotta go Paisley tele :) I found a MIJ one that is calling my name in the local guitar shop. I'm thinking about buying it instead of buying a replacement les paul :D


actually....this is it..I may as well show a picture!

DSCF2639.JPG
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

^^ That looks sweet, Capo!!

I say Highway 1 or used MIJ. I love Highway 1s. Possibly the best bang-for-the-buck axe Fender puts out (not a big fan of the standard MIMs).
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

If you can find a good used MIJ, go for that. The quality of those guitars is outstanding. Otherwise, the Lite Ash is an excellent choice. Whatever you end up with, your first mod - before pickups or anything else - should be a 3-saddle bridge. Absolutely essential for good Tele tone IMO.
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

jony said:
Lovely Joe pass there.. ^.^
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yeah, that's a gorgeous Joe Pass...wish it was mine...I thought about getting it when I was worried about a jazz axe...but right now I have to replace the stuff I lost...so maybe someday
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

If you like red, the Muddy Waters MIM is a great buy. Ash body, USA pickups, USA bridge with brass saddles, medium jumbo frets, and very nice neck. Excellent all around tone for blues and rock.
 
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Re: best tele for the $$$

Imp said:
nice neck (the MIM ones always felt a bit 'mass produced' to me, i dunno how to describe it, but i can tell without looking..)
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FWIW, the MIM necks are made in USA (the Mexican plant installs nuts, frets, hardware, etc). The biggest difference I see between MIA and MIM necks is the fret edges...

For $500, I'm buying either a MIM Nashville Tele or a standard tele and making appropriate hardware upgrades. Biggest drawback of the MIM standard, IMO, is the super thin frets.
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

MikeS said:
FWIW, the MIM necks are made in USA (the Mexican plant installs nuts, frets, hardware, etc). The biggest difference I see between MIA and MIM necks is the fret edges...

For $500, I'm buying either a MIM Nashville Tele or a standard tele and making appropriate hardware upgrades. Biggest drawback of the MIM standard, IMO, is the super thin frets.
Click to expand...
Same here, Mike. The frets are too dang small on the MIMs for my taste. That's where the Highway 1 comes in. Am made necks and bodies, Mexico hardware and electronics, and the necks have the same frets as the MIA models.

EDIT: As of January 2006, the MIM Standard Tele's now have medium jumbo frets. :banana:
 
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Re: best tele for the $$$

I'm so dying for a 72 custom tele. I'd put Lindy fralin pickups in her though for a more P-90 sound ( they have pickups now to replace the neck, and just get a 42' for a more p-90 sound then a Quater Pounder_. But alas. a MIM 72 tele go's in australia for about $1999 (about 1499 u.s ).
Sucks to be me
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

i haven't played any MIJ teles but i personally like the Hwy 1's, they feel great, and have good resonance!
 
Re: best tele for the $$$

viewaskew2k5 said:
I'm so dying for a 72 custom tele. I'd put Lindy fralin pickups in her though for a more P-90 sound ( they have pickups now to replace the neck, and just get a 42' for a more p-90 sound then a Quater Pounder_. But alas. a MIM 72 tele go's in australia for about $1999 (about 1499 u.s ).
Sucks to be me
Click to expand...
Good Lord, that is a rip off. Here they're less than $700 ($689.49 currently). I feel for ya, man.
 
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