Looking for a Tele... recommendations?

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm missing my Squier Esquire quite a lot. I really liked the tone from that as something completely different from my Strat with a Nazgul and my Gibson with a 500T.

My budget is around what a new Mexican Player Telecaster costs. I might go for one. Honestly, that's my top-runner-up. But I wonder if there's something that would suit me better in the same price range.

I like the Fender Modern C neck profile, but I don't really like the 9.5" radius. I'd prefer 12". Is there something in the same price range that has a neck like that?

I'd also prefer a dark Rosewood fretboard. My Strat has a Maple board, and it's cool, but I want something fatter and warmer. Pau Ferro is usually cool, but it's more of a gamble. Many of the Pau Ferro boards I've seen Fender use are super light and sickly-looking. Anything that comes with Rosewood rather?

One thing that I absolutely won't have is one of those truss rods that you have to take the neck off to adjust it.

I'd also prefer a solid finish. I hate mismatched multipiece bodies showing horrible seams. That really cheapens the look of a guitar for me.

I'd also prefer a neck humbucker. But that is a long shot. If it's not there, I'll be OK. I'll just slap like a Hot Rails or whatever in the neck. But I'd prefer to have a full size hum in there.

So... thoughts? Recommendations?

 

[ehdwuld]

How about a tummy cut and a forearm carve
what about a modern spoke wheel truss rod on the neck heel
What about roasted maple neck with Stainless frets

Censtar Electric Guitar, Solid Electric Guitar Consists of a Roasted Mahogany Body and Maple Neck,Professional/Full Size Mercury Electric Guitar for Adults. https://a.co/d/01OpZFcD

 

[Rex_Rocker]

How about a tummy cut and a forearm carve
what about a modern spoke wheel truss rod on the neck heel
What about roasted maple neck with Stainless frets

Censtar Electric Guitar, Solid Electric Guitar Consists of a Roasted Mahogany Body and Maple Neck,Professional/Full Size Mercury Electric Guitar for Adults. https://a.co/d/01OpZFcD

That aged one actually looks super cool.

Have you experience with those? Price seems a bit too good to be true.

 

[beaubrummels]

The description sounds like you're not really looking for a Tele.

 

[Mincer]

Maybe not an actual Tele...if you expand the search outside of Fender, you might find something. Also, check out Warmoth's showcase.

 

[ehdwuld]

I have one of the Censtar headless
fit and finish are awesome

The electronics are suspect

You will have to set it up

You can email Richard Do in Veitnam
With IYV guitars and he can build you one exactly how you want it.

And shipping will be as much as the guitar
All of which under $400

With your name on it

You want his email address?

 

[Supernautilus]

As someone who owns 4 wildly different Teles, I reject the idea that a Tele is one specific thing. The Tele shape and design is brilliantly simple, which allows for a variety of different mods and options.

Maybe “Tele shaped object” is a better term lol.

 

[elelpe]

Squier Pro Tone Fat Telecaster has 12" radius rosewood firetboard and humbucker neck albeit with natural finished body. Good platform for mod. Highway One Texas (maple fretboard though) and some Nashville (before 2017 if you're looking for rosewood fretboard) have 12" radius too. Or go to Fender website or Warmoth and buy parts from there that fit your specs.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The description sounds like you're not really looking for a Tele.

Well, I certainly won't be playing Country or Led Zeppelin or whatever people normally play on Teles, so I guess you're right, I don't really want a traditional Tele. (Not to say there's anything wrong with playing that, but I don't really have enough motivation or spare time, really, to venture outside of what already makes me happy to play).

I used to have my Squier Esquire set up with a Quarter Pound, and it sounded surprisingly heavy. Just "heavy" in a different way than a Les Paul with a 500T or a Strat with a Nazgul sound. I normally play Death Metal, but now that I'm jamming to some Punk Rock with some friends, I bet that Esquire would've sounded great in this context.

I really like the looks of a Tele. I just don't really like the feel of the round fretboard, and I don't particularly love the sound of a regular Tele neck pickup. Like someone said, I just really want a Tele-looking object. But I kinda miss the sound of that Quarter Pound, so I don't want a Blacktop, a Jim Root, or a John 5 Tele either (plus I don't reall like Jim Root or John 5, haha).

Honestly, I don't even really hate the feel of a 9.5" fretboard enough to stop me from buying a standard Mexican Tele. But if there is an option that better suits my taste and it isn't more expensive... well, that's why I'm asking for some help with my research.

 

[Supernautilus]

Well, I certainly won't be playing Country or Led Zeppelin or whatever people normally play on Teles, so I guess you're right, I don't really want a traditional Tele. (Not to say there's anything wrong with playing that, but I don't really have enough motivation or spare time, really, to venture outside of what already makes me happy to play).

I used to have my Squier Esquire set up with a Quarter Pound, and it sounded surprisingly heavy. Just "heavy" in a different way than a Les Paul with a 500T or a Strat with a Nazgul sound. I normally play Death Metal, but now that I'm jamming to some Punk Rock with some friends, I bet that Esquire would've sounded great in this context.

I really like the looks of a Tele. I just don't really like the feel of the round fretboard, and I don't particularly love the sound of a regular Tele neck pickup. Like someone said, I just really want a Tele-looking object. But I kinda miss the sound of that Quarter Pound, so I don't want a Blacktop, a Jim Root, or a John 5 Tele either (plus I don't reall like Jim Root or John 5, haha).

Honestly, I don't even really hate the feel of a 9.5" fretboard enough to stop me from buying a standard Mexican Tele. But if there is an option that better suits my taste and it isn't more expensive... well, that's why I'm asking for some help with my research.

My most obnoxious Tele is my Affinity. Hot for Tele Bridge and WLH humbucker neck. It rocks. Not quite Jim Root or John 5 level, but still loud. I put 500K pots in it and it's just really chunky and aggressive sounding. It's definitely not a "traditional" Tele lol. I love it.

 

[Supernautilus]

Here's a pic of it.

 

[Butch Snyder]

If you're wanting a fatter warmer tone, pau ferro isn't a good fretboard choice. It is actually brighter than maple.

 

[Butch Snyder]

I normally play Death Metal, but now that I'm jamming to some Punk Rock with some friends, I bet that Esquire would've sounded great in this context.

I bet you're right. For Punk, the simpler, the better. Like this one.....

 

[donaldr]

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 2: https://www.charvel.com/gear/shape/so-cal/style-2/pro-mod-so-cal-style-2-24-hh-ht-cm/2966551568
LTD TE-1000: https://www.espguitars.com/products/27448-te-1000
Fender Custom Edition FMT: https://www.fender.com/en-US/electr...tion-custom-telecaster-fmt-hh/0262004520.html
Schecter PT Special: https://www.schecterguitars.com/Pt-Special?quantity=1&custitem_color_master_list=456