[TheDoctor]

Well, thanks to the inspiration and discussion on these pages, and after a number of posts of my own, lady luck tapped me on the shoulder earlier today and showed me a Telecaster. Imagine my delight!

As those who have encountered my posts will have perhaps noticed, I was trying to decide which Tele to go for, whether to get one of the USA standards, a Japanese one or to go all out and bankrupt myself getting hold of a '52 reissue. In all this rumination, and having been a little bit out of the guitar loop over the past few years, I forgot my previous golden rule of buying. Play it, try it, and if it sounds like I want it to, and looks like I'd like it to, then buy it. A friend and I took an early finish today and went into the city for lunch. As we walked up 'Music' street (where all the shops are) we reached Cash Converters Music Store. I hadn't encountered it before coming to live in Norwich, and I don't know if Cash Converters exists in the US, but in Norwich there is the usual store selling this and that of varying quality in price, and there is also the music store which often has a nice line in reasonable priced guitars. In the window was a row of lefties (which instantly makes me happy) including a Tele-style guitar, in a sort of blonde colour. In I go, tune it up and have a play. I was well impressed. Smooth action, nice tone in all settings. Comfortable to play. The fella tells me it's a Tokai unbranded Tele. I have no idea whether he's right or not, (the only markings are a serial number stuck on the body, under the neck). Price £199. Hmmm think I, that seems pretty damn reasonable for this guitar, but perhaps I'll haggle a bit. Play a bit more, really enjoying the guitar. Look again at the price tag - £129. No haggle, no argument, cash on the desk and away I went.

So, attached is a picture of it. I know it's not a Fender etc., but I believe I've got a pretty good guitar, certainly for the level I play at and the use it will be put to. Plus, I've got a fair bit left over from the budget to put towards a luthier setting it up nicely for me. Those with a keen eye for detail will see that I have already damaged the nut, via over-vigorous strumming I suppose, and the low E string is no longer in place. My suspicious mind wonders if that was weak originally and had been glued or something, hence the price reduction. Whatever, I am delighted.

Once it has been set up, I will play it for a while and get used to it before deciding what to do next. I imagine eventually it will become a bit of a Partscaster as I gradually modify things.

Thanks to all on this forum for help and advice, either in response to my threads or on other posts as I have read widely and enjoyed it. Hopefully in the future I can contribute more.

Regards,

Mark.

PS: Anyone with any more info about these models feel free to educate me. Thanks.