Why do YOU like a tele?

toneseeker

toneseeker

New member
Here's my take:
I've been on a couple of forums, and it seems like a lot of people have some serious tele GAS. I wonder why? Teles are kind of cool, funky & fun to play; I just don't like them enough to go buy one or want to build one.
I like strats, I like LPs, I like some shred guitars, but I just don't bond with teles.
Anyone else not get the Tele fascination? And you dudes that do, tell me about it. I want to hear both sides of the story.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

I played my first proper Tele yesterday. It was a maple-necked Highway 1.

I loved the feel of the neck, I loved the ballsy quack the bridge pickup had. The neck pickup had a warm, round almost creamy texture to it, and it rocked.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

I like my G&L Asat Deluxe (which is a hot rodded Tele) since it's extremely playable and versatile due to the humbuckers which I can split. It also has a really fat sound to it since it's got the mahogany body and maple cap...but maintains clarity with the maple bolt on neck and rosewood fretboard. Great upper fret access as well. It's definitely my number one.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Like any fender...they are a Love/Hate affair for me.

When I'm "on"...oh man..the tone...the responsiveness...the bite...the scream.

When I'm "off" they are the most maddening instruments on the planet...so frustrating.

I just don't have the natural talent/ability to play them with any kind of consistency. I love the way they sound and feel though. And the older I get the more I prefer the raw nature of a Tele vs. the more pristine tones of a Strat.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

i dunno...it just fits.

it's an honest instrument...not very forgiving...what you put in will be what comes out of it. i love the simplicity of it...i'm just more of a "less is more" kinda person sometimes.

it feels solid...there is nothing like a really well made tele in your hands.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

it's got everything you need, and nothin' you don't


(well, almost) :)
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

I like their simplicity, their look (although when I was a young axe slinger I didn't), and I've grown to really like the tones that can be pulled out of them. I'm a Fender man at heart and mostly Strats but I love Tele's too. Cannot wait for my newly acquired one to arrive either. I get excited just thinking about it...lol.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Simplicity in design and versatility. I can't stand the Tele neck pickup though. Give me a humbucker there and I'm good.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Hoss said:
i dunno...it just fits.

it's an honest instrument...not very forgiving...what you put in will be what comes out of it. i love the simplicity of it...i'm just more of a "less is more" kinda person sometimes.

it feels solid...there is nothing like a really well made tele in your hands.
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ErikH said:
I like their simplicity, their look (although when I was a young axe slinger I didn't), and I've grown to really like the tones that can be pulled out of them. I'm a Fender man at heart and mostly Strats but I love Tele's too. Cannot wait for my newly acquired one to arrive either. I get excited just thinking about it...lol.
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EXACTLY what they said.....SIMPLISTIC PERFECTION:D

I'm on Tele #4 (2 solid bodies & 2 Thinlines) & I love them...

They work for all kinds of music, they're easy to mod, they're not heavy or bulky & THEY WORK FOR ME !!!:beerchug:
 
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Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Terry, HTF did you get EricH out of ErikH when quoting me? :laugh2: :laugh2: Don't fret too much about it. Happens all the time, even at work when my name is in my email sig and in the *From* field.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

big_black said:
Simplicity in design and versatility.
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They just offer you that sound that nothing else can. I love the bite of the bridge the most. and their built like a tank. :rocket:
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

They just seem to fit me. I love the simplicity of design of a tele. They generally have a humble elegance to their appearance that I love. A good tele, while a little unforgiving, makes you a better player, too IMO.

Tone is there as well. I love how my RI can go from a twangy country-like clean to a raw, raunchy rock-tone machine.

I’m shutting up now, because I think Curly might have said it best:


Curly said:
it's got everything you need, and nothin' you don't
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Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Hoss said:
i dunno...it just fits.

it's an honest instrument...not very forgiving...what you put in will be what comes out of it. i love the simplicity of it...i'm just more of a "less is more" kinda person sometimes.

it feels solid...there is nothing like a really well made tele in your hands.
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You took the words right out of my mouth.


*waits for LesStart to insert Meatloaf lyric*
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

If it's not perfectly set up, I don't even want to mess with it. If the setup is great, they're amazing. I'm not a big fan of single coils, so I don't give teles much attention, but when I find the right one I can't put it down. Strangely, my favorite guitar of all the ones Luke owns is probably his tele. It's got some serious mojo.

There's really nothing quite like the sound of a traditional tele, either.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

ErikH said:
Terry, HTF did you get EricH out of ErikH when quoting me? :laugh2: :laugh2: Don't fret too much about it. Happens all the time, even at work when my name is in my email sig and in the *From* field.
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OOOOps................:D

Here's a quick pic to insite the GAS a little more...one's missing too :wink:

Picture059.jpg
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

VERY NICE....CONGRATS !!! :beerchug:

Here's the missing one...I need to take a pic of all 4 lined up...

THINTELE5.jpg


Yes, the binding on the top & bottom is Tortoise Shell too :32:

I'm gonna pull the Fralins & 4-way switch out of the MIM 'Burst & put it in this one, then I'm gonna have the neck p/u on the MIM routed for a humbucker.

I've got a set of 50th Anniv. Seths sitting idle & I'm gonna throw one in the neck of the MIM.......
 
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Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

Nice. That'll be sweet. I love the look of the F-holes on yours. Very classy.

I almost pulled the trigger on a '06 MIM Tele, black/maple, until Mike turned me on to that one. I'm glad he did. I'll be leaving it stock for a while so I can get used to it. It's been a long time since I've owned a Tele (had a MIM in the 90's for a little while).
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

I will never have to work harder when I play than when I sit down with a Tele in my hands. I HAVE to have my "A" game with me to play the Tele otherwise it just doesn't work. It makes me bust my tail to get anywhere...

......and with that said when I bring my "A" game and really have to work for it I sound my best.
 
Re: Why do YOU like a tele?

ErikH said:
Nice. That'll be sweet. I love the look of the F-holes on yours. Very classy.

I almost pulled the trigger on a '06 MIM Tele, black/maple, until Mike turned me on to that one. I'm glad he did. I'll be leaving it stock for a while so I can get used to it. It's been a long time since I've owned a Tele (had a MIM in the 90's for a little while).
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I have to say, as much as I think the MIMs are a great guitar, esp. for the money, there really is a big difference in feel & play between the MIMs & MIAs.

I think you'll see it immediately when you get yours.

The MIA Thinline is an absolute joy to play...even with the stock pickups. The Fralins will hopefully make it THAT MUCH BETTER!

I was actually hoping the MIA would already be routed for a humbucker & I could put the Seth in there, but I'd rather route a MIM than the MIA, ya' know???

Anyway, I think you'll enjoy that Tele:bigthumb:
 
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