Re: standard MIM tele - will they stay in tune?
I rarely have to pull out the tuner for mine.... and i play mostly traditional country. (string bendin' city!)
The pickups do have a totally "tele-character" to them, although not an exact vintage tone, they blow away both my strats in terms of punch, volume and output.
I have very little hum issues to speak of also....
And last but not least, if your also considering a HWY 1.... that and the MiM Standard have the exact same tuners.
FenderBender