What telecaster to get?

[voggin]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I got a used tele a little while ago. One of the american standards before they put the tummy cut on it. Got it cheap, $600 CDN (at that time, probably around $450).

Around here, teles like mine used are relatively thick on the ground, although the price has gone up (mainly due to the CDN $ rather than a change in the market). Nice thing about a used one, if it turns out not to be "the one", they are pretty easy to flip at little or no loss.

Good hunting.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I recently played the new Brad Paisley signature, and that is a great instrument, and I am not partial to Teles. But even with the chunky neck, it played and sounded great.

 

[Sliderman]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Hi guys,
Got bitten by the tele bug and now I must have one lol. Tried a few in stores but there are so many different types that I forgot which ones I liked most :sad:
Which are the good ones? Which ones to stay away from?
I already have a '75 Gibson SG and a PRS SE Custom 22, so I would look for something of the same quality for a budget between 400 and 800ish.
Classic style tele btw, don't need more humbuckers.
Any suggestions?

My recommendation would be either the Baja or the, American Special.
The American Special comes with Custom Shop Texas Special pickups, which are hotter than the standard pickups. It is at the bottom end of Fender's American price points at $999.99, but it is worth it. I bought one and the neck was one of the best I had played.:notworthy, You get a true american instrument at little more than a MIM price.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I wonder how a different Baja neck would feel... that would definitely be my choice at your price point. I have a Classic Player Strat and it feels pretty good (it's gloss though...)

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Ok, the search continues!
I sold some stuff to be able to stretch my budget, which means I'm getting into territory where buying USA new is an option. (I prefer this)
Got my mind set on the Professional telecaster but I can't justify the price yet.
It played and sounded killer and also has all the specs I like: Ash body, V-mod pickups, deep C neck with real bone nut and the compensated brass saddles. Only thing I did not like was the butterscotch colour, and that it just hung on the wall for everyone to grab it.
If I remember correctly I also tried the special, the roadworn and the Baja of course). The Baja felt a bit... cheap to me also sounded a bit flat compared to the others. The Special and the Roadworn were good guitars but one hit on the low E string of the professional and that was it man. I heard that sound, it was all there! The neck felt expensive, refined and right at home. Not super fat like the Baja. Anyway, I know what I want but not at the price its sitting right now.
Going to try out a 2016 USA standard and the special again in another shop and see what they can sell me the professional for. Fingers crossed!

 

[shupe13]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I absolutely love these two. Especially the Nashville!


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[PFDarkside]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I think plenty here will agree with me on this.... that professional was "the one".
Now, there will be others like it, but not at that store. Hit up a few other stores and you'll find one in your budget that feels like that for you...

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I'm torn between the 2 tone sunburst with maple neck or the red one with rosewood board... it's impossible to A/B them too because most stores don't carry a lot of fenders at the moment. Some issue with rosewood certificates and the EU rules.

That nashville does look tasty!
Is it me or is there a lot of variation in the sunburst coloring of 2-tones? Some 2 tone look more like 3 tone and some look like they forgot the brown fade to the inside at all.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Clear winner was the 2017 Fender American Professional Telecaster, great neck, great pickups and overall very comfortable unfortunately it was also the most expensive one. It had balls and sting for days. They couldn't go down far enough on the price for me to justify the deal.

Got my mind set on the Professional telecaster but I can't justify the price yet.

Be patient and keep saving your coin. You can make it a reality.
Anything else will leave you wanting more, and you will buy, sell trade etc until you eventually get the one you wanted all along. it will take longer and cost you more money that way.
Also, if you budget allows a professional, you can always order one in a different colour. Ive played a few axes in that professional line and they have all been really sweet.
In 20 plus years you will still have an axe that you love playing every day, long after you have forgotten a few hundred bucks which come and go.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Well I made the deal today! A 2-tone sunburst maple fretboard, ash body American professional telecaster is on its way, I even got a free black pickguard with it. Should come in next week.
They even loaned me a roadworn tele to keep me happy while I'm waiting! Amazing service.
Obviously I'm super stoked!

Now I need to decide which pickguard I'm getting: matte black or glossy...

 

[Mincer]

Re: What telecaster to get?

I wanna see when it comes in!

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Well I made the deal today! A 2-tone sunburst maple fretboard, ash body American professional telecaster is on its way, I even got a free black pickguard with it. Should come in next week.
They even loaned me a roadworn tele to keep me happy while I'm waiting! Amazing service.
Obviously I'm super stoked!

Now I need to decide which pickguard I'm getting: matte black or glossy...

Sounds like you got the twin of my Tele. Although mine is a MIM.

 

[zionstrat]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Great thread- useful for my next tele GAS
Can't wait to see it.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: What telecaster to get?

Thanks guys, yeah I'll post pics in a NGD thread somewhere next week (I hope).
I must say that the loaner guitar: MIM roadworn 50's with tex mex (?) pickups is a very very good guitar also. It's got character, it's lively, it's hard to believe the Professional buried it in spades in the test booth.
Speaking of, in the test booth they had a Fender Blues Jr. Tweed amp and it was just.... I need it lol. Very impressive amp!