[TelZilla]

Originally Posted by Heather Anne Peel

Keith Richards is most definitely a Tele player, and has played many Teles besides the Custom and his neck humbucker Micawber Tele! In my opinion, he's the best Tele player for Rock 'n Roll and the whole reason I got into Teles (and many others, I assure you!). That said, I think "Exile On Main Street" was a watershed Tele moment. Keith, the Tele and open G all at once, whew. The album kicks off with Keef riffing on his Tele in stereo, and it's freakin' brilliant! Springsteen arriving on the scene with his Esquire is certainly another great moment. James Burton strapping on his Paisley Tele with Elvis. Joe Strummer brandishing a Tele with the Clash. Mark Mothersbaugh riffing on one on Devo's "Satisfaction" on SNL in 1978. All great moments. Elliot Easton's "My Best Friend's Girl" licks and solos, classic. There's many great Tele moments. Cropper, Clarence White, Don Rich, Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Danny Gatton, Louie Shelton and dozens of others gave us great Tele moments, too. Actually, any moment when anyone plays a Tele of any kind is a great Tele moment. And finally the Telecaster Custom is definitely a Tele. So is the Tele Deluxe. Those are my main Teles, and they are Telecasters. Leo Fender would have agreed, he was an open-minded guy who designed great guitars. Too bad there's some narrow minded thinking surrounding what is a Tele. I think that goes against the very idea behind Mr. Fender's creations. But, hey, these are my opinions. If you don't agree, cool, whatever. Peace.

+1 to that. Keef not a Tele player? Blasphemy!