I bought a Tele today

MikeS

Bengalsologist
Went to Guitar Center for some strings. Walked out with a Fender 50s Telecaster (MIM) in White Blonde. For a floor model, this guitar was in great shape; not a single scratch. The only thing I could complain about is the one ply pickguard that comes on it is a little warped, but seeing as I talked the price down, I don't suppose I can complain too much about a pickgaurd.

Anyway, it's basically a 50s reissue Tele; three saddle string-through, one-piece maple neck, the "ping" style tuners, and Fender's "vintage" pickups. It plays pretty well, I still have to make a few minor setup changes, but so far the biggest adjustment is getting used to the 7.25" radius.

Tone is great. Tonight I was playing with just a little bit of gain and getting a great bluesy tone that I've never even gotten close to getting from even my Les Paul. It's definatly got a tone all its own and a place in my collection. So, add one more person to the Telecaster fan club. I love this thing.
 
Tele's can be magical. Those MIM Teles are real good too. Have fun and welcome to the club...they also make for great moddin'.
 
mim tele

mim tele

I got one of those about 2 months ago, the exact same type. New pickups from Lew (Fralin Blues Special (n), Antiquity (b)) and some brass saddles. Sounds absolutely great! Enjoy!
 
Congrats on the new 50's Tele!! I got mine back in 2001 (same exact model as yours, white blonde 50s Tele) and since then i've made lots of cool changes and turned it into a very very sweet 50's looking, and sounding Telecaster!

I love mine too!


FenderBender
 
I'm curious - how much did u get it for?

My tele was completely custom and it actually cost me lots of money - taking everything into account.
 
sweetness! those must be some goood strings. lol


i almost did the same thing yesterday with a schecter tele, thankfully i didnt have money....
 
those guitars are great. I liked my white blonde one so much i just bought a sunburst one. Have fun with it.

PS you might want to get a black guard for that tele it looks really cool on there.
 
Congrats Mike. I have a couple myself.. like em a lot :)

Teles have their own kinda mojo.. I love them for country, rock and anything else that works.

:dance:
 
Good for you, Mike. I was doing some home recording with mine tonight. Makes for a great, strong rhythm tone. Enjoy!
 
Re: I bought a Tele today

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm loving the Tele. The fell and tone are blowing me away right now. I took an hour to really set it up and she plays real nice. The only thing I've had to get used to is the 7.5" radius neck. I haggled the price down from an original $640 to $600, then haggled some more because the one ply pickguard was warped, walked out of GC with the Tele, a set of strings, and a Fender gig bag for $570. I was more than happy with the deal.

I've already ordered compensated brass saddles for it and I need to replace the pickguard. I'll consider a black pickguard.

And for the record puckboy, I'm only 23 ;)
 
Re: I bought a Tele today

Just the tip-o-the iceberg, Mike-you'll love it, and it'll love you back!
 
Re: I bought a Tele today

Congrats and welcome to the Real Guitar Players club. A couple of months playing a tele and you'll be amazed how much your touch and dynamics have improved.

Those mexican teles are amazing for the price. My MIM tele is my main gigging guitar.
 
Re: I bought a Tele today

Nice.

I've been singing the merits of those reissue Telecasters for some time...especially the 60s Tele, but the 50s pretty damn good too.

We need to hear some soundclips or get some pics here!
 
Re: mim tele

Re: mim tele

rhmcfarland said:
I got one of those about 2 months ago, the exact same type. New pickups from Lew (Fralin Blues Special (n), Antiquity (b)) and some brass saddles. Sounds absolutely great! Enjoy!

Great choice Mike and Randy! Congratulations...my Tele would be the guitar I'd grab if my house was on fire...right after my wife, kids and dogs! I've played and worked on a few of the made in Mexico guitars...some are truly excellant. They remind me of the mid 80's MIJ Strats. I'm thinking very seriously about picking up a MIM James Burton Tele and putting an Antiquity set in it. Either that, or I'd put the original '54 pickups back in my old '54 and put the Fralins currently in my '54 in the James Burton. The James Burton is like the vintage Tele JB played with Ricky Nelson on Ozzie and Harriet, but comes with medium jumbo frets...which I prefer.

Anyways: welcome to the world of Teles. If you're really a Tele kinda guy there'll be no going back...not for keeps anyway.

Lew
 
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Re: I bought a Tele today

A James Burton Paisley black/gold Tele might be my next guitar.

I really like the idea of strat type pickups into wood on a Tele shape.
Plus, the neck kicks A on those!

Those Lace Sensors would be in the junk drawer the first day, tho.

Lew, what would you put in a James Burton Tele?
 
Re: I bought a Tele today

hey mike.....i think i may have played that one.......seems to fit the bill.....your talkin the GC out at Forest Fair right?
 
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