Telecaster
Home > Home Recording Forum > Gear Gab > Telecaster
Posted on Oct 17, 2007 01:40 pm
TallChap
Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member Since: Jun 24, 2004
Because I obviously don't have enough guitars, I've talked 'er indoors into "buying me" (guess who'll test it/actually put down the cash?) a Telecaster for my birthday (42 on the 26th...aargh!). Heard good things about the Squier Affinity series (butterscotch, natch). Yes, it's a cheap guitar - the '51 has been discontinued and I wanted that - but the reviews are stellar. My $99 Squier Affinity Strat is one of the nicest strats I've ever played (as far as playability is concerned). $170 for a Tele? Cool..
Anyone tried one?
Am I foolish?
I do want that twang for my arsenal.
[ Back to Top ]
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 17, 2007 02:18 pm I've wanted to add a tele to the collection for awhile now. I've not heard any of the Affinity Tele's. The one I want to purchase will be a G&L ASAT. Excellent guitar but costs considerably more although the G&L Tribute's are priced very reasonable.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 17, 2007 02:38 pm How bout the Agile line for Tele? I've heard good things about the guitars in general, but nothing specific.
General Fyah bought the 51, i think, of the squier. He's made a recording of it, i think, and it sounded quite nice.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 17, 2007 05:17 pm So hard to justify (to 'er indoors) a 'proper' Telecaster when I have a custom acoustic on order....
A sub-$200 guitar I can get away with.
Because I really need the Telecaster sound. That's what I told her.
Clever Eq, a Strat on the bridge pickup, and a little verb, I hear you say...
Nah...
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 17, 2007 05:18 pm Would love to find a 51....though...
I'd perhaps buy that too....
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 17, 2007 05:31 pm I can't recommend the Affinity guitars at all. They're so cheap that they're basically toys. Seriously, they're the bottom of the barrel.
Maybe think about a Squier Tele? Even then, make sure to actually get your hands on the instrument before you purchase it because Squier has some pretty inconsistent QA at work.
If you're going to go the super-cheapo route for a guitar then check out Agile guitars by Rondo music. They have some Tele knockoffs in their line and they're superb guitars as far as sub-$200. And I can say from experience that their customer service is excellent.
www.rondomusic.com/
Hahaha sorry pjk I just saw you posted the same suggestion. Well there, it reinforces my point then :D
BeerHunter, I hear GREAT things about the G&L ASAT. I think GuitarJim plays one and really loves it. I hear that they're actually better than their Fender counterparts. Although I really lust after an American Deluxe Tele in butterscotch blonde. Mmmmmmm....
Oct 17, 2007 05:33 pm line 6 variax, baby.
BleakA small pie will soon be eatenMember
Since: Aug 26, 2004
Oct 17, 2007 05:42 pm Tele's have to be the ugliest guitars going round.
Sound great though!
Oct 17, 2007 05:55 pm Line 6 Variax's are the ugliest 50 guitars around :)
But I still love mine, it's not the looks that count right :)
Oct 17, 2007 05:57 pm Quote:
Line 6 Variax's are the ugliest 50 guitars around :)
Bahahahaha
I love my Variax, and the sound and playability, I didn't like the 300 much, kinda cheap, but the 700 is awesome.
Oct 17, 2007 09:22 pm Tall Chap,
I actually have a pretty decent background with cheap guitars because it's all I can ever afford!
I used to own a Squier Tele that was great. Great twang...stayed in tune...what else do you need a Tele to do?
I do have a '51, and that's a great guitar too. For $99.00 it was a steal.
As mentioned, my current "good" guitar is a G&L ASAT Tribute Series. I kicks ***. It plays and sounds better than the (Tad, cover your eyes) American Deluxe Tele that I used to have.
Bottom line: There are some very playable and great sounding guitars for under $200. The Squier Tele I had cost like $169, and it was at least as good as the MIM Tele that I also used to have. Just play a bunch of 'em and take home the one that feels the best.
(Damn...I've had a lot of guitars in my time...)
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 18, 2007 10:05 am Thanks Jim. I know you had the '51 and liked it. Just wish I could find one. As I've mentioned before, I lucked out on my Affinity Strat and it will need to be wrenched away from my cold, dead fingers. I love that guitar... I've always wanted a Tele and now I have the opportunity to get one - albeit the cheap one. It's the sound I'm missing. I'm working on a soul/blues thing that NEEDS a Tele sound. The Strat ain't cutting it.
I'd love the ASAT from G&L, but it's not in the budget (note: custom acoustic on order...mucho thousands..) as I couldn't justify that to the chancellor of the family exchequer ('er indoors).
The manager of my local guitar store has promised to play a few before he puts them in stock. I won't just buy it without liking the way it plays.
Thanks you all for the input.
The Agile's look interesting
Might be a future consideration.
Oct 18, 2007 10:15 am That Agile site is amazing. I'm also a fan of cheap guitars and you can have a field day with that place.
The only problem is that lack of description so it's hard for a person like me to tell what the differences are between the different prices/guitars.
Oct 18, 2007 10:47 am Here you go...get two for one!
Oct 18, 2007 02:02 pm I've been playing my tele more just lately. It's a black/white scratchplate maple neck Mexican.Not as versatile as a Strat,but a great sound.I boost the solo's with a bluesbreaker with a touch of delay.I really like the shape/look and the neck gives you room to play.I tried a tele made by Vintage with Wilkinson pickups in a shop, it sounded very good and was well made.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 18, 2007 04:29 pm Geesh Jim, that's one helluva git-fiddle!
I bet it weighs nearly as much as a Les Paul..hahahahaha
That is cooler than...well...a very cool thing. I think I prefer it to the SG version. Tortoiseshell pickguard would be bitchin'.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 18, 2007 06:32 pm Speaking of guitars. Our buddy here who owns a couple music stores just got in a 70's Richenbacher 12 string. It is an odd type of dark blue. It is one of the few guitars I would add and not care if it felt good or not to play. As I know from playing them long ago their neck is far to skinny for my fat little fingers. I think he has it tagged at about $1200 or so. I have to think long and hard on it though as it does hold its value and gain some slowly though.
Oct 18, 2007 06:58 pm I say we all pitch in and buy that Rickenbacker for OldDog. He could put it to good use!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 18, 2007 09:24 pm I know, I was going to bring my camera up there and shoot a pic of it for him. I think I will go on Sunday and do that. Then post it here.
That was actually my first thought as well. OD would be furious if I snatched me a Rich 12 string and didn't share.
Oct 19, 2007 06:11 am A friend of mine lost a Rick 12 string from the back of the van after a gig 50 miles away.Two weeks later he got a phone call from the guy that found it.(phone number was in case)The guy that phoned already owned a 6 string Rick and could'nt believe his luck.Knowing that the owner would be stressing over the loss he eventually cracked and rang.The same guy that got it back owns my old Gibson Les Paul Deluxe,at least it's gone to a good home.Waaaahh;(
Oct 19, 2007 06:35 am Man, there are good, decent, honest people in the world, good to know.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 19, 2007 12:21 pm Yeah. Honesty is cool.
I can't play Rickys. That goes for the guitars and the basses. Not sure why. Just don't feel comfortable.
Oct 19, 2007 12:26 pm Rickenbacker basses make me think of every bass player in the 80's I ever knew that thought they were Geddy Lee...or pretended they were...or wanted people to think they were...or were...
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 19, 2007 12:31 pm And yet most of Geddy Lee's good stuff was on a Fender Jazz...
Chris Squire had a great sound.
Oct 19, 2007 12:35 pm I still haven't recovered from Rush burnout in high school when everybody I knew thought Rush here gods among men, "Rush this, Rush that, Geddy is the best, Alex is the best, Neil is the best, everybody else sucks..." jeezuz.
ARGH, Highschool wrecked a pretty good band for me :-)
yeah, I know, I need therapy.
Chris Squire IS a God among men.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 19, 2007 12:41 pm Similar to above, how about a Tele LP?
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 19, 2007 01:47 pm A TeLesPaulster?
Heavy...er... Man...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 19, 2007 08:34 pm TC, I am sadly with you on the comfort thing with a Rich. The necks is awfully skinny for my fat little fingers. And a 12 would just be suicide for me playing wise. It would be like I had nothing but thumbs on the neck. :-)
Oct 19, 2007 09:03 pm You guys are terrible.
I started the week, month, year with no wish to purchase any gear now I am planning what I can sell so that I can get one or two of these Rondo copies
ahhhhhh!!!!!
Oct 30, 2007 01:35 pm Fat fingers are at work here.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 30, 2007 03:16 pm THAT sound exactly!!!
Can't make that sound with a Paul Reed Smith...
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Nov 16, 2007 03:15 pm So, I got it.
It's...She's..pretty good.
The pickup selector switch is a little cheap, but no matter.
Out of the box it felt wierd. Crap strings. New set and it was night and day.
The pickups make the right noise. It's not a Fender, and I never expected one. However, it's very close. The body is a little thinner, and the strings don't go through the body. The neck is unfinished, smooth, and fast. The frets are nicely dressed, and it has a good acoustic tone. Tuners are alright, and the hardware (except for the switch) is pretty darned good.
Plugged in it makes all the right sounds. The front pickup has that lovely creamy bluesy thang, and the bridge pick up straight out honks. Telecaster, it says.
For under $170 I think it's a great addition to my arsenal, and it's damned pretty too. There was one thing that seemed odd for the longest time. Couldn't put my finger on it.....
Black nut! Small, and hardly noticeable, but odd enough to just throw you off.
Odd.
Nov 16, 2007 03:33 pm Picture, please!
Nov 16, 2007 04:24 pm Tallchap, I can't figure out what you bought ???
Yesterday I bought the Telecaster from Rondo :)
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Nov 16, 2007 04:57 pm The $169 Squier Telecaster. See above pic.
Butterscotch Blonde. Shiny chrome. Black scratchplate (might swap it out for red tortoiseshell later). Maple neck/fingerboard (my first maple fingerboard).
Tis nice.
Twang.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 16, 2007 10:20 pm ya, its the small pic way back up in the thread. Nicely done TC, nicely done!
Nov 16, 2007 11:00 pm This is the RondoMusic SX I bought Thursday
Nov 16, 2007 11:48 pm I think Telecaster is probably one of the most unique guitars sound wise ever made. Even though I normally play a Strat, I had a Telecaster thin line about 25 years ago. And I loved it. And I picked up a Korean made Telecaster a few months ago while on a trip to San Antonio. And I love it. I listen to Roy Buchanan or Albert Collins and they bring things out of this guitar that don't even sound like it was designed to do. I am curious to know if the variax can believably get the sound of a Telecaster.
Nov 17, 2007 12:39 am Since I have no idea what the "true sound"
is plus I have "poo-ear" I can't really answer that :)
I could record some for you though
Nov 17, 2007 08:29 am Yeah! That would be cool.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Nov 17, 2007 01:18 pm I think the Variax does a pretty good job of emulating a Telecaster and an even better job of the Strat. I'm guessing the Variax 600 might do an even better job of it since it is constructed more along the lines of a Strat/Tele, where as the Variax 700 which I have is more along the lines of an LP/SG in terms of the body.
Dan
