Fave Tele Players

Here's my top ten, anyway:
1. Keith Richards
2. Bruce Springsteen
3. Steve Cropper
4. James Burton
5. Don Rich
6. Pete Townshend
7. Clarence White
8. Rich Robinson
9. Jimmy Page
10. Danny Gatton
Just off the top of my head. I think this list illustrates the wide range of sonic possibilities inherent to the Telecaster, anyway.
8) Heather

Don't forget about jimmy bryant.
8) but otherwise it's looking good.

1 and only Bruce Springsteen

Here's my top ten, anyway:
1. Keith Richards
2. Bruce Springsteen
3. Steve Cropper
4. James Burton
5. Don Rich
6. Pete Townshend
7. Clarence White
8. Rich Robinson
9. Jimmy Page
10. Danny Gatton
Just off the top of my head. I think this list illustrates the wide range of sonic possibilities inherent to the Telecaster, anyway.
8) Heather
Keith Richards, bruce springsteen, Pete Townshend ??? :roll: :roll: They play tele like they play on a guitar

Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan play tele because they can't play another one. No ?

Keith Richards, bruce springsteen, Pete Townshend ??? :roll: :roll: They play tele like they play on a guitar

Oh, come on... Get a proper Tele as your avatar first before posting something like that... :wink:

Probably

Danny Gatton
Keith Richards
Steve Cropper
Greg Koch (this man can do awesome things with a T-caster)
James Burton

Jim Campilongo
Joe Strummer

My favourite Tele-players:

Roy Buchanan
Jim Weider
Danny Gatton
Arlen Roth

Joe Strummer

Jimmy Bryant ....tops my list primarily because he kicked this whole shebang off, and did it right proper !

Danny Gatton .... knew it's the white knuckle thrill rides ala Bryant that really getcher heart a pumpin' strong !

Bill Kirchen .....Man o' man ! that Hot Rod Lincoln's still shredding tires and Dieselbilly's flat truckin' !

Redd Volkaert ....it just ain't natural, it just ain't..... the boy can PLAY {*<-- to borrow a line from "Crossroads" the movie...}

Brent Mason .... "Hot Wired" .....'nuff said !

Roy Buchanan ....Nancy sure could sing under his caress...

Ted Greene ...R.I.P. Chord Chemist ! you want some finger twistin tie yer knuckles in knots voicings ?

Ed Bickert ....most "mainstream" jazzers with their L5's and such, laugh at us Telewackers.....not anymore, Thanx Ed !

were i to name all the Telewackers of every stripe the list itself would be monumental.....
Albert Lee
Arlen Roth
Jerry Donohue
Hag
Waylon
Don Rich
James Burton to name only a few

.......etc etc etc ad infinitum


EDITED:
p.s. no offense intended to TDPRI'ers Bill Hullett, Jim Campilongo, or anyone else i've left off this rather abbreviated list....all you guys definitely deserve a place in the Tele Hall of Fame !!

Pete Anderson

My favorites...

Roy Buchanan
Albert Collins
Bruce Springsteen
Keith Richards
Muddy Waters

Ron

Keef Richards
Jon Toogood
Jonny Greenwood
Roy Buchanan
Joe Strummer
James Burton
Katie Steele
Paul Kelly's tele slinger(cant remember his name)
David Byrne
John5
Jim Root
Jimmy Page

1. James Burton
2. James Burton
3. James Burton
4. James Burton
5. James Burton
6. James Burton
7. James Burton
8. Merle Haggard
9. Waylon Jennings
10. James Burton

Some local TDPRI boys:

Greg V
Bill Hullett

They got style!

Don Rich
Danny Gatton
Jerry Donahue
Brad Paisley
James Burton
Brent Mason
Roy Nichols
Steve Wariner

I'm too lazy to type a bunch...but Three on the Top of my list are.....

Redd Volkaert
Ray Flacke
Bill Hullett

And in the category of "Smart guys who also can Pick"

"Terry Downs"

Danny Gatton

Clarence White

Joe Strummer

Keef

D Boone

Scotty Anderson

Jerry Donahue

Arlen Roth?

Arlen Roth?

Absolutely.

Bernie Leadon.

(I can't believe nobody has mentioned him yet!)

Bernie Leadon.

(I can't believe nobody has mentioned him yet!)

Kinda the same treatment he gets all-around, isn't it?

I wanna put Reggie Young on the list!

I've got a long list of faves, but my top 5 important players in the history and development of "Tele-style" playing are (in chronological order of contribution):

Jimmy Bryant
James Burton
Steve Cropper
Roy Buchanan
Danny Gatton

Andy Summers
Alex Lifeson (occasionally plays a Tele)
Pete Townshend (closely associated with the Tele, especially in '66, '67, and again in the 1980s)
Bill Frisell
Don Rich
James Burton
Clarence White
TDPRI's own Redd Volkaert
TDPRI's own Bill Hullett
Brad Paisley
Jerry Reed
Brian Hofeldt
Danny Gatton
Roy Buchanan
Will Ray
Jerry Donahue
Ray Flacke
Steve Cropper
Early Robbie Robertson (when he was more interested in writing and playing good music than hanging out with Martin Scorsese.)
Brent Mason
TDPRI's own Shawn Lightfoot
A lot of the Tele pickers on those country tunes from 20 years ago and longer whose names I don't know.

Joel

Kinda the same treatment he gets all-around, isn't it?


Yep. He's a very underrated man. Along with Don Felder he's 1 of the best The Eagles had.

Oh boy...

Bill Kirchen
Brent Mason
Brad Paisley
Robin Leary
Dan Vickery
James Honeyman-Scott
Bernie Leadon
Carl Perkins
Bruce
Chrissie Hynde
Jerry Donahue
James Burton
Your Mom
Keef
Andy Summers
Teddy Morgan
Muddy
Albert Collins

That's all I can think of right now, but there are more...


Jake

Wow, it's hard to top all the dudes already listed but I'll list my personal Tele faves...

1. John Frusciante
2. Jeff Buckley
3. Frank Black
4. Steve Cropper
5. Jimmy Page

Hmmm...I'm kinda stumped. I have to admit that most of my favorite players aren't actually Tele players. Most of my faves are Strats and LP guys. Oh well, I guess I'll forgive 'em.

my top 3 favorites:

1) Albert Collins
2) Muddy Waters
3) Keith Richards

Prince

My list of "one"

Reggie Young

Bill Hullett

Francis Rossi
Rick Parfitt
Wilko Johnson

A lot of my favourites have been mentioned - Frank Black, John Frusciante, Keith Richards, Andy Summers.

Lately, I've been listening to the first 3 Police albums, and I had forgotten just how good Andy Summers sounds on those. Sting has worked with a lot of great musicians over the years, but I would argue that he never worked with a better band than the Police.

These guys
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/peter.lewry/Resources/reggie1a.gif
Reggie Young

http://fender.demonweb.co.uk/players/images/chuckprophet.jpg
Chuck Prophet

Arlen Roth
Danny Gatton
Roy Buchanan
and although not a Tele player, Tony Rice.

Me!, Daniel Ash, Joe Strummer, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and Chrissy Hynde.

Clarence White
Bob Warford
Bernie Leadon
David Nelson
Jim Messina
James Burton
Steve Stills

Murray "Mur" Cullen
Mike Beck

Joe Strummer and Ken Bethea/Rhett Miller of the Old 97's. Every time I see them they have like, 5 Teles and they just switch between them. They don't even tour witha anything that isn't a Tele.

Bill Frisell
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/bfrisell2004_chovan.jpg

Jim Campilongo
http://www.nycny.com/entertainment/jazz/jCampoli.jpg

REDD VOLKAERT

Why haven't more people mentionned him?

My other favorites include (but not limited to):
Steve Hill
Johnny Hiland (I know I know! He plays PRS now, but he's still a Tele player)
Brent Mason
Bill Hullet

Joey

Since I started this thread, I thought I'd chime in on some of it. To me, the 5 most significant Tele players have been:
1. James Burton - awesome country bends
2. Steve Cropper - more tone and taste than anyone
3. Keith Richards - Mr. Open G aka The Human Riff
4. Bruce Springsteen - His Esquire is the real "Boss"
5. Danny Gatton - Absolutely amazing - R.I.P.
Now, comments on some of the other artists mentioned:
1. Pete Townshend - The Tele suited his incredible rhythm style perfectly.
2. Jimmy Page - Page is an amazing musician and producer. The "Stairway" solo on his Tele was incredible!
3. Prince - Absolutely! Jimmy Nolen/Hendrix moves on a Tele.
4. Andy Summers - Best use of effects with a Tele, period (The Edge gets an honorable mention, but he is more of a Strat player).
5. Rich Robinson - His use of open G on Teles, although inspired initially by Keith, is very Jimmy Page-like. He also uses a B Bender on occasion, to great effect.
6. Clarence White - Clarence was amazing, the Jimi Hendrix of the Telecaster - R.I.P.
The Tele sure has made many, many wonderful sounds for such a simple guitar. Leo Fender was a true genius!!! 8) Heather

Heather Anne hits two (2) pages on her 7th post!

I've always thought that Luther Perkins should be on lists like this.

But then I found out he played an Esquire, a Jazzmaster, and maybe a Jaguar. :?

To me though, he has always been the ultimate Teleslinger.

Well, I guess there is Don Rich and James Burton - and that guy that played with Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen that really set what a Tele should sound like in my mind. Billy K - never to be confused with Billy C.

and a few others. :D

I don't know if he's a groundbreaker or not, but Diamond Rio's Jimmy Oleander (sp?) is criminally underrated. Awesome bends!!! I think he uses a double bender?

I agree with almost all the selections, but I don't consider Pete Townsend (one of my favs) a Tele player. I think of him with either that Ric or with a cherry red SG

http://www.poster.net/who/who-maximum-r--b-4003173.jpg

i see frisell is playing that MIM '69 Thinline RI in Daphne Blue... hee hee (i got me one of those!). Wonder if he has left it stock?

More mad props for Jim Campilongo. I so dig what he's doing musically and just love his sound.

So many others of course, many already mentioned, but i like what the Sadies have been doing with their telecastering quite a lot.

Anyone see keef in Guitar World? I notice in one pic his tele is looking pretty beat up, more than usual even. Looks like he is missing a dot marker on the 15th fret even! hee hee

cheers,

-kp--

A couple of other Tele players I just gotta mention:

Larry Crane and Mike Wanchic (from John Cougar Mellencamp's awesome '80s band), as well as Mellencamp himself (he used a black '72 Tele Custom on the "Scarecrow" tour)

John Fogerty (on "Blue Moon Swamp")

Mike Campbell and Tom Petty (now there's a guitar team!)

David Grissom and David Holt (Storyville, Booze Weasels)

Eric Clapton (on "Blind Faith", dig "Well All Right" with the Leslie!)

Elliot Easton (The Cars, Creedence Clearwater Revisited) - Elliot is an incredible guitarist, just check out his Tele solo and fills on "My Best Friend's Girl" from The Cars' 1978 debut! Awesome!!!
8) Heather

Just thought I'd throw in Mike Bloomfield.

Most everyone else I like is already mentioned.

it was James Burton.
Then came Steve Cropper.

These were the first two cats I remember seeing with a Tele... Burton on TV's "Ozzie and Harriet" and Cropper on early Booker T. & The MGs pictures.

So, much as I appreciate all the others mentioned, I've gotta go with these two as the ones who impressed me early on that - if I ever got an electric guitar - it had to be a Tele.

My top 10 (but not in order):

Jimmy Page
Keef
Thom Yorke
Johnny Greenwood
Andy Summer
George Harrison (rosewood tele)
Muddy Waters
Albert Collins
Black Francis (Frank Black)
Joe Strummer

Oh man, I forgot about Mike Bloomfield...

All the aforementioned, plus:

Jeff Buckley (sadly no longer among us)

Rick Parfitt (status Quo)

Francis Rossi (Status Quo)

George Harrison (rosewood Tele!) Also no longer with us :(

Susan Tedeschi

Tammy Cochran

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

http://www.roadhouseblues.com/biographics/CGBrownbio.jpg

Johnny Paycheck

http://www.thanksforthemusic.com/images/news/jamboree/paychkl1.jpg

Albert Lee (my all-time favorite)

http://www.techsyscon.com/photos/ehboutwell1.htm. He is on the far right.

Emmylou Harris http://www.techsyscon.com/photos/elh_jacksonville_fl.htm. Lots of pink paisley Tele shots! (as well as the ever beautiful Emmylou!).

How could I possibly forget our own Jim Campilongo?! :shock: :? A tremendous musician who picks 'em up and sets 'em down with that wonderful '59 toploader. :D

Joel

Montana_Dawg, thanks for that website.
Here's some shots of Pete Townshend with a tele:
http://www.techsyscon.com/photos/who.htm

My favorites are:
Redd Volkaert
Roy Buchanan
Jim Campilongo
James Burton
Bernie Leadon
Jeff Beck
Mike Bloomfield
Roy Nichols
Terry Downs
Bill Hullet (although I've never consciously heard him play, he is one of my favorite posters to read around here, and he's a tele picker, so that has to count for something, right? I need to get that Two-Lane Blacktop.)

There are many more, but I can't think of them right now.

Everyone listed already, c'ep me, :oops:
but then add:
Roy Nichols

Thumbs Carlisle

Billy Sanford

Tommy Emanuel (when he plays a tele too!) :shock:

Redd

-Albert Lee,
When he changed to the Ernie Ball guitar he became my favorite player of Strat style guitars :lol:

-Keith richards
-Jerry donahue
-Bernie Leadon

Michell

How could I possibly forget our own Jim Campilongo?! :shock: :? A tremendous musician who picks 'em up and sets 'em down with that wonderful '59 toploader. :D

Joel


hee hee. i saw that you left off your list and know you dig him. I made a little bet with myself that you would chime in with such a post after seeing Jim's name.

I did not know Clapton played a tele in Blind Faith... hmm... there is a new one.

my all time favorite tele player is brent mason. know doubt about it.

Roy Nichols
Danny Gatton
Jimmy Bryant
Redd Volkaert
Brent Mason
Phil Baugh
Don Rich
Thumbs Carlisle
Jerry Donahue
Albert Lee
Ray Flacke
Leon Rhodes (However, because of his stint with Ernest Tubb, I associate him more with an Epiphone Sheridan instead of a Tele. Even though he played a Tele on the Opry for a very long time.)

My best,
Dirt
BuddyEmmons.com (http://www.BuddyEmmons.com)

I agree with almost all the selections, but I don't consider Pete Townsend (one of my favs) a Tele player.

Funny enough, I happened to be watching the DVD of the original Live Aid concert from 1985 last night, not many Teles on that but Pete Townsend plays one which looks ever so much like a modern FMT model.

Strange that Live8 was full of Teles, especially the 70s Customs and DeLuxes which seem to be de rigeur for today's guitar bands!

Danny Gatton
Roy Buchanan
Mike Stern
Ed Bickert

and

Andy Summers

anybody I didn't mention is probably because I haven't heard 'em yet.

Elliot Easton (The Cars, Creedence Clearwater Revisited) - Elliot is an incredible guitarist, just check out his Tele solo and fills on "My Best Friend's Girl" from The Cars' 1978 debut! Awesome!!!

Good call! How could I forget him?

Chrissy Hynde - Always very tasty playing. Not show off by any means, but solid, essential rythm playing. She always holds the sond together.

My Daughter - The coolest chick out there. How many 10 year old girls love going to guitar stores and love their tele? You ought to see how many stickers she has put on that thing. Looks cool. Joe Strummer would be proud.

Strange that Live8 was full of Teles, especially the 70s Customs and DeLuxes which seem to be de rigeur for today's guitar bands!

Yeah the alternative scene is littered with tele players. Franz Ferdinand, the Futureheads, Radiohead, Blur, Graham Coxon (former Blur guitarist and great tele player), Bloc Party, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Bravery, Luna, and on and on. A lot of them seem to like the 72 style Customs and Deluxes. I wouldn't say anybody is a virtuoso like many of the names cited here, but they create great songs and great atmosphere. It's nice to see teles remaining relevant and the guitar standard for today's alternative scene.

Mine...

#1 - Brad Paisley

#2 - Redd Volkaert

#3 - Vince Gill

others of note - Jimmy Olander, Pete Anderson, Don Rich, Marty Stuart, Robben Ford, Andy Summers, Steve Wariner, Keith Urban and Brent Mason

Montana_Dawg, thanks for that website.
Here's some shots of Pete Townshend with a tele:
http://www.techsyscon.com/photos/who.htm

My favorites are:
Redd Volkaert
Roy Buchanan
Jim Campilongo
James Burton
Bernie Leadon
Jeff Beck
Mike Bloomfield
Roy Nichols
Terry Downs
Bill Hullet (although I've never consciously heard him play, he is one of my favorite posters to read around here, and he's a tele picker, so that has to count for something, right? I need to get that Two-Lane Blacktop.)

There are many more, but I can't think of them right now.

Hey Wild Rice Chris,
I highly recommend Bill Hullet's Two-Lane Blacktop CD. It is fantastic. Get conscious with Mr. Hullet.

I like everyone mentioned here (except me).

I didn't see anyone mention Jeff Miller (http://guitaristjeffmiller.com/).

Elliot Easton (The Cars, Creedence Clearwater Revisited) - Elliot is an incredible guitarist, just check out his Tele solo and fills on "My Best Friend's Girl" from The Cars' 1978 debut! Awesome!!!

Good call! How could I forget him?

Ditto!

EE was, and still is, probably one of the best unknown rock guitarists around. His Tele solo in "My Best Friend's Girl" is a masterpiece, in my opinion.

Joel

...Another inexcusable omission:

http://www.dustygroove.com/images/products/m/mayfie_curt_curtisliv_101b.jpg

In no order......

Roy Nichols
Buck Owens
Don Rich
James Burton
Redd
Steve Cropper
Phil Baugh
Jimmy Bryant
Clarence White
Danny Gatton
Roy Buchanan
Bill Kirchen
Waylon Jennings
Dale Watson
Johnny Paycheck
Albert Lee
Albert Collins
many more I can't think of,

and of course my big bro Chris, when you can tear him away from his Okie organ that is!

I thought Terri Clark had already been mentioned.

I think that is a tele in this pic. Hard to be sure cuz I keep getting distracted. LOL

http://www.nucountry.com.au/images/artists/TerriClarkB300.jpg

...should be in my Tele list for sure.


Take a look at:
LONG link (mysteriously fixed somehow so it doesn't make the thread too wide...) (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47816DB4CAB7020C2933450C8A053EB08D64C F5C01D2F4749CCB422438C196AB813A4C6CFB1FA70F87DA5FF 2BAE5A0EC3BB93&sql=11:eqj97ia4g76r)

Lots of great players mentioned earlier here!

I did not know Clapton played a tele in Blind Faith... hmm... there is a new one.

Clapton played a Tele in the Yardbirds as well.

So I guess he can be on my list with..

#1 Clarence White
Mike Bloomfield
Robbie Robertson
Roy Buchanan
Brent Mason
Bernie Leadon
Steven Stills
and several others that have been mentioned already..

and how about one that hasn't: Jim Messina (Poco-era)

1. Danny Gatton
2. Scotty Anderson

Both play so many styles of music with incredible chops and eclectic tune selections.

1. Reggie Young
2. Clarence White
3. Roy Buchanan
4. Danny Gatton
5. Albert Collins
6. Don Rich
7. Jimmy Olander
8. Redd Volkaert
9. Elliot Easton
10. Bill Kirchen

I like all the players mentioned above, but don't forget

Jesse Ed Davis
Amos Garrett
Cornell Dupree
Charlie Freeman
Kenny Neal
Albert Collins
Doug Sahm
Muddy Waters

Was Albert Lee mention?

Mike Henderson

These 3 stand-out as big major influences for me:

1) Jimmy Page

2) Keef

3) Andy Summers

To round out my top 5 pick, I have two that havent been mentioned yet:

4) Terry Kathe (Chicago [CTA]): When I first heard Terry wailin away, I knew I wanted to play guitar, and I wanted one like his, a Tele!

Now I might catch a little heat from some on this last pick, but I gotta give this boy some props, cause he can spank the snott outta his Tele, and it just drops my jaw when I hear him cut loose:

5) Keith Urban

[1. Danny gatton
2. Albert Lee
3. Mike Stern
4. Scotty Anderson
5. Ed Bickert
6. Bill Kirchen
7. Pete Anderson
8. James Burton
9. Bill Frisell
10. Bob Weir

1. Nokie Edwards
2. Don Rich
3. Roy Nichols
4. Terry Couch
5. James Burton

:!: Just to name a few

:?: Did I mention Nokie Edwards :?:

I gotta go with:

Redd Volkaert..

He is a monster. He can manhandle and finesse a tele (sometimes all in the same song) like no other.

So, isn't he a supermodel or something? I heard talk.

MUDDY WATERS

Fave Tele Players

<li>For me it's erry won of yew !!

<li>Thanx guys and gals for makin my life a better place tew be.


http://personalweb.sunset.net/~barron/sig.gif

Please visit my page (http://personalweb.sunset.net/~barron/)

No. 1 in my book....

http://stechmann.dk/assets/images/Robben.jpeg

Browsing through the posts, I only saw Vince Gill's name mentioned once. I've seen him live twice and let me tell you, he can play a tele with the best of 'em. Anyone catch him doing Oklahoma Borderline on A&E's live by request. WOW!

1) Vince Gill

Just to mention a couple who haven't been mentioned yet (Hope I didn't overlook too much):

1. Pete Anderson (Dwight)
2. Jeff Cook (Alabama)
3. Roy Nichols (Merle)
4. Steve Wariner
5. John Inman (formerly of the Gonzo Compadres)

Used to go see Jerry Jeff Walker every year when he would come to San Francisco just to watch and listen to John Inman. Awesome and Underated.....

James Pennebaker
Roy Buchanan
Bill Hullett
Reggie
Waylon
Jimmy Bryant
Keef
JamesBurton
Albert Lee
Joe Walsh

Jimmy Page.
http://www.fendereurope.com/images/jimmypagetele.jpg

James Pennebaker
Roy Buchanan
Bill Hullett
Reggie
Waylon
Jimmy Bryant
Keef
JamesBurton
Albert Lee
Joe Walsh

Too cool!!! Listing Reggie Young as simply "Reggie"...Yessir, I'm 100% on-board with that. You know somebody's on the who's who list of Tele pickin' when they make first-name-only status! 8)

Does anybody remember California band "Highway 101"? They had a pretty good singer, Paulette Carlson (kindly a country Stevie Nicks voice) and I don't remember the ol' boys name, but he could nail that twangy Tele tone back when a lot of folks weren't looking for that sorta thing, maybe right before the traditional upsurge in the early 90's.

Does anybody remember California band "Highway 101"? They had a pretty good singer, Paulette Carlson (kindly a country Stevie Nicks voice) and I don't remember the ol' boys name, but he could nail that twangy Tele tone back when a lot of folks weren't looking for that sorta thing, maybe right before the traditional upsurge in the early 90's.

How could you forget a name like Jack Daniels ????

Good one.

Does anybody remember California band "Highway 101"? They had a pretty good singer, Paulette Carlson (kindly a country Stevie Nicks voice) and I don't remember the ol' boys name, but he could nail that twangy Tele tone back when a lot of folks weren't looking for that sorta thing, maybe right before the traditional upsurge in the early 90's.

How could you forget a name like Jack Daniels ????

Good one.

Ya know, I wanted to think it had something to do with whiskey, but then I thought "Naw, that was the name of a song they did, I believe..." :roll:

Anyway, Terry, thanks from a former Garland homeboy!

PS - I've been to your website...liked the sound clips.

My favorites w/ a tele...

Jimmy Bryant (for starting it)

Jim Campilongo (for taking it someplace new but familiar)

Don Rich (quintessential twang!)

Bill Frisell (well for just being Frisell)

James Burton ( vintage Pro)

Redd V. ( contemporary Pro)

And I gotta get Dave Gonzalez on this list...The Paladins are GREAT but man his work with The Hacienda Brothers is top shelf Twang and Soul and MAN his custom Buck Owens tele is very cool!

Also gotta mention a man who will be on everybody's list soon -our very own Johnny Isaacs.

And didn't Mark Knopfler play a tele on the first couple of Dire Strait albums?

Does anybody remember California band "Highway 101"? They had a pretty good singer, Paulette Carlson (kindly a country Stevie Nicks voice) and I don't remember the ol' boys name, but he could nail that twangy Tele tone back when a lot of folks weren't looking for that sorta thing, maybe right before the traditional upsurge in the early 90's.

How could you forget a name like Jack Daniels ????

Good one.

Ya know, I wanted to think it had something to do with whiskey, but then I thought "Naw, that was the name of a song they did, I believe..." :roll:

Anyway, Terry, thanks from a former Garland homeboy!

PS - I've been to your website...liked the sound clips.

Thanks for the kind words about my website.

Yes, I loved the Jack Daniels Tele sound.

How could everyone forget about Ralph Machio?......just kidding lol

I really want to put a word in for Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes. His use of open G on his Teles is really awesome. I saw the Crowes on their current tour, front row, like 10 feet away from Rich. He played a '72 Tele Custom, an Esquire and a rosewood Tele (along with a pair of 335s, a couple of Zemaitis guitars for slide, an SG, an LP Jr., and an LP Standard) through 3 killer Harry Joyce 50W full stacks. Rich is a GREAT guitar player, very tasteful and very serious. He played a lot of lead, which he hasn't done too much of in the past, most of it, in fact. He is often compared to Keith, but his use of open G is way more like Jimmy Page. Rich is one of my fave modern Tele players. Keith is my all time fave, with Steve Cropper running an extremely close second. Steve is perhaps the most tasteful guitarist, ever. He ALWAYS plays for the song, another thing I dig about Rich.
8) Heather

I'm going to add to this incredible list.

Tommy Tedesco.

Likely the most recorded guitar player in history, He did everything from Beach Boys sessions, to the wah wah guitar part of the "Three's Company" theme song. Outstanding player.

Little bio blurb:

Tommy Tedesco

guitarist
Born: 7/3/1930
Birthplace: Niagara Falls, New York
Tedesco was the most-sought-after studio guitarist in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s. He performed with Frank Zappa, Cher, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Beach Boys—to list only a few. He played the themes to the TV shows The Twilight Zone (1959–65), The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–59), Bonanza (1959–73), Green Acres (1965–71), and M*A*S*H (1972–83) and the movies The Deer Hunter (1978), The Godfather, and Field of Dreams (1989). Tedesco was also an influential music educator.

Died: 11/10/1997

I don't have an argument with any of the players you guys have listed...okay maybe Springsteen :lol: ...but I digress...

My "holy Trinity" has always been:

James Burton
Steve Cropper
Cornell Dupree


TBD

Bruce is a fantastic Tele player, lead and rhythm. Unbeknownst to many, he handled ALL of the guitar duties on the landmark "Born In The USA" album, as Steve Van Zandt had left the E Street Band, and Nils Lofgren joined in time for Bruce's 1984-85 world tour (I saw him here in Austin on 11/23/84, as well as on 3/2/03, both shows were AMAZING!!!). Bruce plays a lot of guitar on 2002's "The Rising", including the great Neil Young-influenced solo on the title track. Also, Bruce has written so many great songs on his Esquire and Telecasters. He is a true Tele player. In fact, the Tele is perfect for Bruce, and Bruce is perfect for the Tele. Both are true American workhorses. The Boss Rules!!!
8) Heather

1.) Danny Gatton
2.) Carl Perkins (He played 'em too! :wink: )
3.) Redd Volkaert
4.) Brad Paisley
5.) Bill Kirchen
6.) James Burton
7.) Jimmy Page
8.) Roy Buchanan
9.) A lot of other people I can think of right now! :?

#1-REDD
#2-ROY NICHOLS
#3- DANNY GATTON
-

[He is a true Tele player. In fact, the Tele is perfect for Bruce, and Bruce is perfect for the Tele. Both are true American workhorses. The Boss Rules!!!]
"Well I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk!"

Bruce is a fantastic Tele player, lead and rhythm. Unbeknownst to many, he handled ALL of the guitar duties on the landmark "Born In The USA" album, as Steve Van Zandt had left the E Street Band, and Nils Lofgren joined in time for Bruce's 1984-85 world tour (I saw him here in Austin on 11/23/84, as well as on 3/2/03, both shows were AMAZING!!!). Bruce plays a lot of guitar on 2002's "The Rising", including the great Neil Young-influenced solo on the title track. Also, Bruce has written so many great songs on his Esquire and Telecasters. He is a true Tele player. In fact, the Tele is perfect for Bruce, and Bruce is perfect for the Tele. Both are true American workhorses. The Boss Rules!!!
8) Heather

That's cool...I knew he played a lot on his records...didn't know he played that much on them. Since you seem to be a Bruce fan, maybe you can answer this for me: Why does Bruce solo so much live, when he has much better guitar players in his band? I've always wondered this. I like the guy okay...but never liked his playing. No Offense to anyone that does! :wink:

TBD

My first real guitar hero, and it always amazes me that he doesn't get mentioned more. I didn't see him mentioned earlier (my apologies if I missed it - there are a lot of names there)...

http://www.steviebs.com/images/starpix/sample-terry-kath1.jpghttp://www.steviebs.com/images/starpix/sample-terry-kath2.jpg


Terry Kath of Chicago. Monster player, who is also responsible for the Pignose amp, that had the respect of his peers, but got very little press playing behind those horns. Like too many great Tele players he died tragically at his own hand - albeit most say (and I believe) accidentally.

Jimmy Bryant
Danny Gatton
Jim Campilongo
John Ivan (Big Guitars from Memphis)

Terry Kath was indeed an awesome guitarist. Wow, his solo and feedback on "I'm A Man" from Chicago Transit Authority still blows my mind 37 years later!!! He was a highly underrated guitarist. Jimi Hendrix cited Kath as one of his favorite contemporaries.
8) Heather

Terry Kath....man! What a player!! A monster on the guitar...that left us much too soon. He is definitely an influence....man, can't believe I forgot to mention him!

TBD

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/txjonc/Redd1500.jpg

Bruce is a fantastic Tele player, lead and rhythm. Unbeknownst to many, he handled ALL of the guitar duties on the landmark "Born In The USA" album, as Steve Van Zandt had left the E Street Band, and Nils Lofgren joined in time for Bruce's 1984-85 world tour (I saw him here in Austin on 11/23/84, as well as on 3/2/03, both shows were AMAZING!!!). Bruce plays a lot of guitar on 2002's "The Rising", including the great Neil Young-influenced solo on the title track. Also, Bruce has written so many great songs on his Esquire and Telecasters. He is a true Tele player. In fact, the Tele is perfect for Bruce, and Bruce is perfect for the Tele. Both are true American workhorses. The Boss Rules!!!
8) Heather

That's cool...I knew he played a lot on his records...didn't know he played that much on them. Since you seem to be a Bruce fan, maybe you can answer this for me: Why does Bruce solo so much live, when he has much better guitar players in his band? I've always wondered this. I like the guy okay...but never liked his playing. No Offense to anyone that does! :wink:

TBD

Bruce actually played pretty much all the guitar on all his albums (save the Steve solo on Promised Land and Nils on Tunnel of Love - Steve didn't join the band until after Born to Run). He made his mark as a hotshot guitarist long before he made it big on his own (listen to some old Steel Mill bootlegs - he sounds like the unholy love child of Hendrix, Santana, and Page - he never really played like that again). I think he plays most of the lead on stage because they're his songs and his guitar playing is an integral part of that. He does let Nils run wild on Youngstown (see Live in NYC dvd). Steve on the other hand, is a great sidekick to Bruce onstage, but he's not much of a guitar player compared to Bruce or Nils.

How could everyone forget about Ralph Machio?......just kidding lol

Come on. He did go down to the Crossroads.

Fell down on his knees... http://tinypic.com/dfxg2d.gif

And he did beat Steve Vai... :roll: :lol:

Bruce actually played pretty much all the guitar on all his albums (save the Steve solo on Promised Land and Nils on Tunnel of Love - Steve didn't join the band until after Born to Run). He made his mark as a hotshot guitarist long before he made it big on his own (listen to some old Steel Mill bootlegs - he sounds like the unholy love child of Hendrix, Santana, and Page - he never really played like that again). I think he plays most of the lead on stage because they're his songs and his guitar playing is an integral part of that. He does let Nils run wild on Youngstown (see Live in NYC dvd). Steve on the other hand, is a great sidekick to Bruce onstage, but he's not much of a guitar player compared to Bruce or Nils.

Thanks for the info! I didn't realize all of that.

TBD

This is my first post, and this seems like a good place to start. Everyone pretty much has it covered. I worship pretty much every player mentioned. I would like to add:

Jason Falkner

I play more country/jazz/blues, but I love singer songwriter/power pop stuff and Jason is a fave for sure.

More props to Jeff Buckley too. I think his excellent guitar playing was overshadowed by his incredible voice sometimes.

Roy Nichols - grew up driving around the countryside in a 1972 Chevy pickup with my father listening to Merle.

Reggie Young - Thats the way love goes

Redd Volkaert - For being who he is.

Wow, three pages and no one's mentioned Dan Auerback of the Black Keys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/scopdom/bk12.jpg

Do yourself a big favor and check them out.

How could everyone forget about Ralph Machio?......just kidding lol

Thanks for the props, tlecstr. Hey, whaddya mean "just kidding"?

For me, I'd have to say
1.) Steve Cropper
2.) Danny Gatton
3.) Roy Buchanan
4.) James Burton
5.) Oh, and I liked Tom Verlaine alot, although I only ever saw him play Strats.

BTW, there's kind of a cool list of Telecaster players here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecaster_players

In order...sort of

Robben Ford - Wish he'd play his tele exclusively
Jeff Beck
Roy Buchanan
Jimmy Page
Redd Volkaert
Tom Principato - DC/Baltimore tele legend. Killer sound
Steve Cropper
Albert Collins
Prince – Don’t believe it? Hunt down a tape of him doing While My Guitar Gently Weeps from an awards show a couple years ago in front of a stage full of guitar heroes
Mike Bloomfield
Mike Stern

Heather Anne hits two (2) pages on her 7th post!

I've always thought that Luther Perkins should be on lists like this.

But then I found out he played an Esquire, a Jazzmaster, and maybe a Jaguar. :?

To me though, he has always been the ultimate Teleslinger.


Semi-interesting footnote to Luther's '55 Esquire - He had bought that along with a Fender Champ but fell behind on the payments and the store reposessed both of them. He went back to the store to ask if he could borrow the Esquire for one night to cut a record, his friend who worked at the store said okay. Luther took the Esquire, went to Sun, recorded "I Walk the Line" and had the Esquire back at the store before they opened the next day! I Walk the Line went to #1 and I'm guessing Luther paid cash after that!

Wow, three pages and no one's mentioned Dan Auerback of the Black Keys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v168/scopdom/bk12.jpg

Do yourself a big favor and check them out.

Oh man, good choice. The Black Keys rock! I'm going to see them in NYC in November.

Oh my.. remove that bigsby I'm gonna cry now.

Keef
Steve ALbini (Okay, so it was an esquire)
Kurt Cobain (Didn't exclusively play short scale fenders...)
Shawn Lau
TOm Morello

Hey Chemteck, cant believe you put me in there with all those big boys but here are mine
Brent Mason, the best and coolest Tele Picker
Scotty Anderson, which plays a lot of styles with lightning speed.
Johnny Highland
Jerry Donahue
Terry Downs, he can pick the Tele also
Danny Gatton

*Bill Frisell - especially after seeing him recently tear up a thinline at Scullers in Boston.

*Albert Collins - If I could I would, but I can't so I don't.

*Steve Howe - Relayer remains a temple to tele tones for me. Yes (and prog in general) aren't what usually comes to mind when thinking "tele", but man does he wring that things neck on this album.

*keef - Pirates with teles! What's cooler than that?

*Jimmy Page - I gotta get me one of them dragon painted teles someday.

And then there was the time I saw Roy Buchanan at the Performance Center upstairs at the Garage in Cambridge...

Kerry M

PS. Geez you'd think there'd be a spell checker here that tells you when you spell Roy Buchanan wrong.