Recommend decent tele?

astrozombie

astrozombie

KatyPerryologist
I'm looking for a telecaster that won't sound too diferent in quality (if that makes sense) to the sound from my Les Paul Traditional. I'm honestly not looking to spend a lot of money on the instrument, this is more to have a bullet proof guitar for smaller gigs and situations where I'm not confortable leaving my les paul alone.

I would like for it to have a rosewood fretboard, anything besides that is fair game.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

I've had Ash and Alder Teles as a backup to my Gibsons. Difference between the Tele body woods wasn't too significant, when comparing against the difference to a Gibson. The modern big plate bridge with individual saddles has better sustain, so look for that. Also need string through the body. If it has Hot / Tex / Mex type pickups, then the bridge will be dark enough and mid-heavy enough to be 'comparable' to what a Les Paul puts out. Otherwise, if it's a normal twangy Tele, you'll just have to keep the tone rolled off about a quarter turn and you can get into Gibson territory, sound-wise. At least for lesser gigs. Otherwise, you'll just have to mod the heck out of the electronics to get closer. Which is cheap and easy, relatively.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

I don't know how possible that is, although there might be other LP-shaped/scale guitars out there. How about an Epi? That will get closer than any Tele.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

I've heard pretty good things about this company called "Fender" that makes some pretty decent Teles, across a range of pricepoints, and with a plethora of pickup options.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

If you're going to swap pickups, Squier Affinities for $200 are really good. You can get a very high quality sound out of them. If you want it decent stock, then you could go for a Fender Mex.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

I feel that Michael Kelly makes the best import Teles, hands down. They are high quality MIK guitars with well-done forearm contours that feel and look good.

Check out their 1950s series: https://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/en/electric-guitars/1950s

Some of the models come stock with aftermarket pickups like Duncans, Fralins, TV Jones, and Fishmans.

If you want a tonal quality similar to your LP, you actually might want to look at some of the humbucker models with non-traditional bridges, i.e., no 3 brass saddles. The 1955s have ever so slightly thinner necks than the rest. The basic 1953 neck is slightly chunkier than the Fender Modern C - not a big difference, but maybe similar to this year's Fender American Professional guitars, at a much lower price.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

If you're looking new, I'd take a look at Reverend guitars. They have several guitars that will get you very, very close. Also, the PRS S2 range - particularly used, you'll get a great guitar for the $$$.


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Re: Recommend decent tele?

Thank you all for your excellent feedback!

What I meant to say is that I would like to own a guitar that wouldn't sound "cheap" after I play my Lester with alnico 2 pros.

I'm starting to think that a decent set of seymour duncans could probably help the gap be a lot smaller.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

The MIM series is pretty solid. Beefy pickups as stock, CTS/switchcraft electrics, decent tuners.

You could actually keep it stock and have a great workhorse even up against the Gibby.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

We have a MK dealer near me, I've played a few of them and was very impressed. I think they are made at the same factory that the MIK Schecters are made, which would probably include MIK ESP/LTDs also.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

Get a good used MIM or Classic Vibe. If the stock pups work for you great if not get a Quarter Pounder in it.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

warmoth for the tele. Great stuff and you can customize it all to the nth degree.
Or better still, if you love your les paul, use it all the time for all your gigs and simply buy some instrument insurance.
 
Last edited:
Re: Recommend decent tele?

gibson175 said:
warmoth for the tele. Great stuff and you can customize it all to the nth degree.
Or better still, if you love your les paul, use it all the time for all your gigs and simply buy some instrument insurance.
Click to expand...

This is an excellent idea. I will look into this. I would still like a second "beater" guitar though. The John 5 tele seems decent. I think I will consider the classic vibe series as fender MIM.

I also considered a g and L blues boy.

The fender FMT models are great, I think I would like something a little more traditional though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

A few years ago now, Fender used to have an HH Mexican tele. I think it was called the Blacktop. There was a strat and a jaguar as well. I remember people saying the stock pu's weren't all that great, but if you put in a set of SD's it would probably suit your needs. I don't think they are too pricey used.
 
Re: Recommend decent tele?

VinceT said:
If you're looking new, I'd take a look at Reverend guitars. They have several guitars that will get you very, very close. Also, the PRS S2 range - particularly used, you'll get a great guitar for the $$$.
Click to expand...

These are good ideas as well. The main Tele candidates here would be the Reverend Buckshot and the PRS Vela. They're not that similar - Buckshot is a 25.5" scale korina body bolt-on, while Vela is a 25" scale mahogany body set-neck, but both are extremely solid.
 
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