Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I have the beginnings of Tele GAS and have been checking out my options. The 2 mentioned above are the 1s that have gotten my attention more than most

I played a Lite Ash Tele for a few minutes in a local music shop a few weekends ago and really liked it. I was all set on that until a friend suggested the Baja Tele in Butterscotch Blonde with the 4 way switching and S1 switching. Now I'm torn between the 2, but trying a Baja Tele before buying isn't really an option, as nowhere around here stocks them that I know of.

Just wondered what any owners of either of these guitars think or if you could recommend any other guitars for me to look into.

Cheers

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I think ash strats are the best sounding of all. Not a Fender guy but I do like how it sounds when you play unplugged. Very resonant. Not too bright. If they made an ash strat, lightly scalloped w two humbuckers and a set bridge then I might become a Fender guy!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

The Baja is a MUCH better guitar over all IMO...the Lite Ash does have better pickups but the rest of the guitar is so-so when compared to the Baja IMO...

 

[J Moose]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I'd say you need to play both & pick one in person...

I've played some really heavy Baja Tele's... 10+ pounds... neck shape isn't all that consistent either aside from "big".

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I think the neck is better on the Baja, but overall sound-wise, the Lite ash wins.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

tha Baja i saw was a few months ago now but it had better wood working details on it over the Lite Ash the store has in stock...

but either one is nice...

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I've tried both and much preferred the Baja, it just felt better overall and seemed better built. You are looking at a Korean made(Lite Ash) vs Mexican made(Baja) and the quality control, at least between these two, was better on the Baja.

 

[Brow]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

Thanks for the info guys.

I know I like the look, sound and feel of the natural Lite Ash Tele, but I s'ppose the best thing to do would be to try and track down a Baja Tele locally so I can compare them for myself.

I've heard alot of issues as regards QC, finishing, and neck warpage of the Lite Ash Teles so thought I'd ask to see if anyone knew of these.

 

[Curly]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

the Baja has great specs, but I agree they can be heavy, so if possible, play before you pay

 

[Brow]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I've played some really heavy Baja Tele's... 10+ pounds...

the Baja has great specs, but I agree they can be heavy, so if possible, play before you pay

I hear this alot about the Baja Teles.

I'm mainly a Les Paul player (and am slightly 'hefty'), so a heavy guitar doesn't bother me too much

I've found both Lite Ash and Baja Teles for around £400, so I could do with trying to find a Baja locally to try out.

 

[Curly]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I'm mainly a Les Paul player, so a heavy guitar doesn't bother me too much.

I don't think it's just a matter of weight ... the lighter ash bodies seem to have more resonance to me. I heard some say lighter ones have a lower fundamental, but I don't know what the heck they're talking about.

one upside of heavier ash may be good sustain, but I'd opt for the responsiveness of lighter ones ... you'll notice that higher end custom and signature models will often spec lightweight ash.

 

[Brow]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I don't think it's just a matter of weight ... the lighter ash bodies seem to have more resonance to me. I heard some say lighter ones have a lower fundamental, but I don't know what the heck they're talking about.

one upside of heavier ash may be good sustain, but I'd opt for the responsiveness of lighter ones ... you'll notice that higher end custom and signature models will often spec lightweight ash.

I'm not overly familiar with Teles tbh with you. My only Tele to date is a cheapie Korean 1 with a poplar body and a top loader bridge that I've put a Broadcaster pickup in with 500K pots.

I need to try out more TEles to find out what features I like. I want the 'traditional' Tele tone, so I'd imagine an Ash body with maple neck would be my 1st starting point

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I'd say get the Lite Ash, because you played it, and because I'm partial to them. You can always put in a different switch later.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I agree that there are some heavy Baja's out there however the first 2 or 3 lite ash Tele's I played were boat anchors!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

the Baja i tried was so light i hated it for it being too light... it was air.... i prefer heavy guitars myself... but that being said the Baja was a fine sounding and feeling tele... i loved the more vintage correct neck profile

 

[Brow]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I'd say get the Lite Ash, because you played it, and because I'm partial to them. You can always put in a different switch later.

There's only 1 shop locally that stocks Fenders and they have the Lite Ash at about £100 more expensive than I could get it for online. But atleast I've tried 1 and know I like it

I agree that there are some heavy Baja's out there however the first 2 or 3 lite ash Tele's I played were boat anchors!

The 1 I played seemed relatively heavy but I tend to notice lighter guitars more so than heavier guitars.

the Baja i tried was so light i hated it for it being too light... it was air.... i prefer heavy guitars myself... but that being said the Baja was a fine sounding and feeling tele... i loved the more vintage correct neck profile

The only guitar I have that is super light is my 76' Music Master, and it's 1 guitar I've never really bonded with too well. I s'ppose I need to try and find a Baja to give 1 a try before I make a decision.

 

[Tor]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I have the Lite Ash Strat, and I have never tried the Baja... But if the same goes for the LA Tele, I can tell you that there aren't all things that are easy to swap out for aftermarket parts... Now, I can absolutely say that I haven't searched the market all that much, to try variations of each parts, but still, I thought I got pretty standard parts, and it was not easy to deal with the LA Strat....

 

[Brow]

Re: Teles: Fender Baja Vs Fender Lite Ash Vs ?????

I have the Lite Ash Strat, and I have never tried the Baja... But if the same goes for the LA Tele, I can tell you that there aren't all things that are easy to swap out for aftermarket parts... Now, I can absolutely say that I haven't searched the market all that much, to try variations of each parts, but still, I thought I got pretty standard parts, and it was not easy to deal with the LA Strat....

I've heard this myself too, but don't know how much of a problem it'd be for me.

I've also just found a guitar made from a Musikraft Light Ash body and neck, with Duncan pups and Callaham bridge and hardware for less than either a Lite Ash or a Baja Tele. Think I may have a winner