The Convert
New member
I've got a budget project that I want to do, and I'm finding it very hard to do what I want to do--which is choose an "authentic" brand for it.
I am looking for an inexpensive telecaster platform, and I'm super disappointed in Squier. They have tons of models and variation for strats, but telecasters are sparse and limited in their offerings. There's no Tele to compare at a Bullet price point. I HATE their super-narrow Affinities (as currently produced)--and yes I tried two before realizing my problems with them are design, not manufacturing.
So after that $200 Affinity level, there's a standard model at $250, that comes in two uncommon 'colors' and only a rosewood fretboard as an option (which isn't really an option, is it). Then you jump up to $400 to the Classic Vibe, which can be a quite nice guitar (I've got one that I love), but really if you want a full sized body and a traditional full maple neck/fretboard $400 is your first option, and even this model is only available in the vintage and butterscotch blondes. There is a deluxe CV model for $450, but again for some reason this is only available in one (quite pretty) burst finish, but only with a rosewood fingerboard.
For the simple and VERY typical combination I want...just a full sized body, 2 or 3 color burst, with a maple neck and fingerboard (clean or deep lacquer), my first real option is a $600 MIM Fender. IMO that's absurd.
And I'm not saying that the world needs to revolve around me, and I know that the offset lovers have even fewer options, but compared to the overflowing options available in the stratocaster line, it's irritating that I can more easily get the feature combination I need from assorted 3rd party Asian guitar makers, when I'm more than happy to give that money to Fender's Asian guitar making division. (And let there be no illusions, the same factories and workers pump our tons of these budget instruments for dozens of companies.)
Ok, rant over. Bring it on.
I am looking for an inexpensive telecaster platform, and I'm super disappointed in Squier. They have tons of models and variation for strats, but telecasters are sparse and limited in their offerings. There's no Tele to compare at a Bullet price point. I HATE their super-narrow Affinities (as currently produced)--and yes I tried two before realizing my problems with them are design, not manufacturing.
So after that $200 Affinity level, there's a standard model at $250, that comes in two uncommon 'colors' and only a rosewood fretboard as an option (which isn't really an option, is it). Then you jump up to $400 to the Classic Vibe, which can be a quite nice guitar (I've got one that I love), but really if you want a full sized body and a traditional full maple neck/fretboard $400 is your first option, and even this model is only available in the vintage and butterscotch blondes. There is a deluxe CV model for $450, but again for some reason this is only available in one (quite pretty) burst finish, but only with a rosewood fingerboard.
For the simple and VERY typical combination I want...just a full sized body, 2 or 3 color burst, with a maple neck and fingerboard (clean or deep lacquer), my first real option is a $600 MIM Fender. IMO that's absurd.
And I'm not saying that the world needs to revolve around me, and I know that the offset lovers have even fewer options, but compared to the overflowing options available in the stratocaster line, it's irritating that I can more easily get the feature combination I need from assorted 3rd party Asian guitar makers, when I'm more than happy to give that money to Fender's Asian guitar making division. (And let there be no illusions, the same factories and workers pump our tons of these budget instruments for dozens of companies.)
Ok, rant over. Bring it on.
Till demand changes that... And vintage Mustangs, still affordable enough.
Just being silly. I agree. Still, the Telecaster is one of the four most popular guitar models made (both by fender squier, and popular as copies) and one of the most historic guitars. Is it so unreasonable that, just like strats, they could offer 2-3 finishes in both fingerboards at every price point? Hell you can get Bullet Strats for $130 in multiple finishes, maple or rosewood, and SSS or SSH. Is a little love for a Tele twice that cost too much to ask? Maybe it is. Eh. I'll work something out.
