I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Well I think the title says it all. But anyway, I am considering getting a tele instead of a semi-hollowbody.

The tele I'm considering is the Highway 1 sunburst with a maple neck.

But would it be worth it to pay $160 more and get a real American while they have that $100 off deal? If I go the real American route, I would not be able to get an SX bass, which is something I've been wanting for awhile. And I would definately have to get a used Blues Jr amp and probably get the Fulltone 69 instead of the Lovepedal COT 50.

Would you go the American route and not Highway 1 in this case?

Going American would also eliminate any new pups.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[Curly]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

tough call ...

i've always favored the us models, partly for the resale, but i was surprised at the quality of some of the MIM strats I looked at recently

there are plenty of MIM fans out there, too

play enough to make a good decision

 

[strat_master]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

well if you go american tele you probably won't need to change the pick ups, ive been told that the p/u's on them are really good. If you go highway you WILL have to change the pick ups out.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

Play them both if possible so as to make a good comparison and yes play a few to see which suits you - the guitar will tell you whether it likes you or not.

If this is going to be your most expensive purchase then make sure you make the right decision. If you do go for the american tele route then you are likely to at least get some money back if at some point in the future you trade or upgrade the guitar.

 

[BluesOwl]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

get a MIJ tele off of EBAY

 

[Young Angus]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

Get a blue one like curly's avatar!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

Personally, I'd look for a used MIM James Burton Tele. Mine sounds and plays almost as good as my vintage '54 and custom shop '53 Teles. Of course mine now has Duncan Antiquities in it! But the stock Texas Tele pickups sounded just fine too...

I think the MIM Fenders tend to be excellant guitars.

Mexicans have always built Fenders! What's the diff if they're built in the USA or Mexico?

Just the money...and the workers are paid a decent wage in the USA...

Hmmm....maybe you should buy a made in USA model after all. :smack:

Lew

 

[Kelsey]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

I have 3 American Series teles, so you can guess my preference, but there are several fine options out there to consider. The James Burton sounds like a great choice, as is the Muddy Waters, the Deluxe Series Nashville Tele, and the Classic Series -- all MiM. If you like the finish on the HWY1, then that should be in the running, too. It comes down to differences in the necks, pickups, and hardware.

I think the signature models (JB and MW) probably have the best stock pickups. The American stock pickups are OK, but I eventually replaced them -- no rush though, as the stockers will do the job for awhile (especially with OD). The HWY1 has the same pickups as the Classic Series. The necks vary somewhat across these models, but the HWY1 and American Series necks feel pretty similar. The Classis Series have the vintage fingerboard radius and fret wire, which I don't like but others crave. The tuners on the American Series are clearly better than those on the other models I've mentioned. I prefer the modern American bridge for intonation, adjustability, and smooth lines (especially kind to your palm), but others prefer the vintage 3 saddle bridge. The best 3 saddle option in this price range would be the MW, which has an American Vintage bridge. The 3 saddle bridge on the Classic and HWY1 series are offshore repros. The JB and Nashville models have the American Vintage 6-saddle bridge, so they are top quality, too, but I think the heavier saddles of the modern 6-saddle or vintage 3 saddle bridge are preferable.

And then there is the whole ash vs. alder body thing. Try as many as you can find and go with the one that feels the best and has the most satisfying unplugged acoustic resonance. Anyway you slice it, you just can't beat a good Tele.

 

[Illini1330]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

I rele like the MW tele i dont have one, but played one a few weeks ago. The action was low and it was easy to bend the strings. THe neck also felt good to me. It's not a sunburst, but i thoguht the red it comes in was pretty cool looking.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

One more thing to consider is that the only model mentioned here that comes with a hardshell case (as well as some useful extras) is the American Series -- the others come with a gig bag at most. That difference eats up a lot of the $160 price difference you mentioned after rebates. Food for thought...

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

I was very tempted to buy the Highway 1 Tele myself. It's a great guitar! The neck is what does it for me. What is it by the way (what shape, size etc.)? The pups sounded good in the one I tried and I'm usually picky.

I'd trust what Lew says though, if the James Burton is almost the same quality as his custom and '54, that's a very good sign (and that man knows his Teles )

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

I guess I should have mentioned that I want one with a maple neck and 22 frets, so the MW tele is out, unless I play one and its awesome.

I'm now also looking at the lite ash tele. It seems to be exactly what I want. 22 frets, maple neck, and it comes with duncans already installed.

And about the cases....when I go to Guitar Center to get this, I will also be getting a Blues Jr amp, so I'm gonna see if they will throw in a nice gig bag since I'm spending so much money there. Hell I might even buy a pedal there too if they got one I want.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[brisk]

Re: I have caught tele gas!!! Need opinions!

Tele sucks and you don't need it. Only loosers play tele and tele is one ugly guitar. Yuk!


















but I am getting one today hehehe ...