Telecaster Special Owners Club

[JeffsJeep04]

Seems like there is enough knowledge and appreciation for these guitars that we aught to have our own thread. It's the owners on here that made me get this one. Finally got pictures up, so I figured I'd kick it off. This one has been well loved, and it shows, but it's just a killer sounding guitar and the neck (while a bit thin for my tastes) just feels awesome. Almost feels like there isn't a finish on it.

[JeffsJeep04]

And the last two I took:

[smsuryan]

what are the specs on a tele special? it looks sweet! MIM? MIA? neck radius and fret size? pups?

[BritishBluesBoy]

Here's the one I had. Gave it to my good friend Fred when he was a little down on his luck. Am really glad I did too, he LOVES that guitar.

[JeffsJeep04]

MIM. Feels like a 9.5" radius, and the frets are low and wide, same width as my JV medium jumbos but a little lower. The build quality is really nice. Finish is thin, seems like poly. Transparent on the front, opaque on the back with a bit of a burst on the front to taper into it. Vintage hardware. Originally had a 6 saddle vintage style bridge, but the PO put the three saddle threaded steel one on, which I'm very glad for. Bridge pickup is american, not sure what the story on the humbucker is, but it's a raunchy little fellow.

I've seen some people call the neck a U shape, but mine definitely isn't. It's rather flat feeling (wide and just barely thicker then the newer american and mexican necks). I like thicker necks, but the finish on it feels so good it's not really worth swapping out to me.

5 way switch: bridge, bridge and split HB, bridge and HB, split HB, and HB. TBX tone control, which is extremely useful with the tele bridge pickup and the borderline muddy neck.

[smsuryan]

sounds nice! i like the 3 saddle bridge thats been added, sorta looks like a 52ri hot rod on first glance...

[Howard VA]

I traded my crimsonburst Fender Tele Special

when I bought my transparent blue Fender FMT Custom Tele

I love the FMT Tele, but in hindsight, I wish I would have just bought it without the trade in. I didn't realize I'd miss the Tele Special so much. After all, it was one of 6 Teles I owned at the time. So much for that line of reasoning. It is definitely the one that got away, and it was my own darn fault.

[91xlntS-3]

I've got all the parts to change this into a version of a '52 Hot Rod:

3 saddle bridge, Mini HB and replacement p-guard.

The stock HB is too muddy, even with the TBX control. One of the best feeling Teles you can sling from your shoulder!

[braderrick]

Finally! a club I can be in, pics coming soon!

[JeffsJeep04]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

I've got all the parts to change this into a version of a '52 Hot Rod:

3 saddle bridge, Mini HB and replacement p-guard.

The stock HB is too muddy, even with the TBX control. One of the best feeling Teles you can sling from your shoulder!

I found the stock pickup muddy as well, but with some tweaking on the amp got it to be very usable. It sounds MUCH better with a little grind then clean, and with the bridge pickup that sounds killer to me clean and dirty, that works just fine for me.

[91xlntS-3]

jjo4,

I agree, the best tones come from the Bridge/Neck combos. But even with the TBX max-ed, the Neck p-up by its self is still to dark/muddy sounding for me. So, I'm swapping the stock HB for a GFS AlNico Mini and have a complete control plate w/Vol/Tone/3 way to replace the stock controls. Think I'll be happier with this set up.

I had never seen one of the Tele Specials till my former bass player brought his to rehearsal. One of the best feeling Teles I had played in a while. So, I traded him out of it and started tweaking to my liking. Wish I could get the stock HB to sound better, I'd just as soon leave it stock. But I like the looks of a '52 Hot Rod, and I've got all the parts; so, we''ll see how she turns out!

[JeffsJeep04]

Absolutely let us know how the GFS stuff works out, I'd be very interested in going that route for the same reasons you are.

I'll keep the stock pick guard and HB around incase these ever get to be worth lots and lots of money *chuckle*

[RocknDom]

"Telecaster Special"
...Predecessor of "Tex-Mex".

Years: 1993 - 1997?

US Parts/
Made in Mexico.


Features:
21 Frets (0.039" x 0.099").
9.5" radius.
"U" Shape neck.
Tinted maple neck w/ "skunk stripe".
Medium jumbo frets.
Vintage style tuners (Kluson)
Poplar, alder, or basswood body w/ ash veneer (top)
Translucent front finish.
Opaque sides/back finish.
5-Way switch.
1 Volume knurled knob.
1 Tone knurled knob.
TBX "Treble-Bass Expander" tone control.
1 Split Humbucker pickup (neck).
1 Single coil pickup (bridge).
6-Saddle vintage bridge.
String through body.


5-Way Switch capabilities:
1) Full Humbucker
2) Split Humbuker
3) Full Humbucker & Bridge
4) Split Humbucker and Bridge (sort of the traditional Tele middle position)
5) Bridge

Available colors:
Butterscotch blonde?
White blonde?
Sunburst (Two tone or Three tone)?
Crimson red?

Reviews here.
Another review here.

Related thread:
MIM Telecaster Special

[RocknDom]

---Not quite an owner yet, but it'll be arriving shortly and I'm pretty excited about my Tele Special.

I've been trying to learn as much info. about these guitars as possible and that's what I've listed so far. Basically, found all the info. I've read and put it into a nice order...

Some of what I wrote is not definite (ie. italicized or questioned) and I need help, so let me know what to change or add.

Thanks!

[Esquire59]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

I've got all the parts to change this into a version of a '52 Hot Rod:

3 saddle bridge, Mini HB and replacement p-guard.

The stock HB is too muddy, even with the TBX control. One of the best feeling Teles you can sling from your shoulder!

What's with that pickguard, no offence, but that looks just wrong

[91xlntS-3]

Originally Posted by Esquire59

What's with that pickguard, no offence, but that looks just wrong

The guard that was on it was a "home brew" and looked sooo wrong!! It was replaced with a new 3 ply from GFS and it fit perfectly. Looks so much better.



Here it is with the new guard, along with it's siblings.

[JeffsJeep04]

The only spec I would question is the U neck. Mine most definitely isn't a U shape, and as confirmed in the neck measurement thread, others are also on the thin side. It's quite similar to a comparable MIM standard in thickness. I'll likely swap it out for an allparts neck down the road, then she'll be a dead ringer for my #1 guitar. The bridge pickup is all I need, but the bucker is useable, especially split. Guess I'm just a single coil guy...

[Esquire59]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

The guard that was on it was a "home brew" and looked sooo wrong!! It was replaced with a new 3 ply from GFS and it fit perfectly. Looks so much better.



Here it is with the new guard, along with it's siblings.

that certainly looks much better!!

[Tim73]

It's great to join. Here's my 1995 Tele Special, albeit fairly heavily modded

[TNO]

I bought one the first year they were out. Awesome classic tele tone from the poplar body. Regretted selling it for years until I got my CV.

[PJ]

OK.....I'm in.

[91xlntS-3]

Tim73, That is one cool looking T Special! Very nice mods!!

[91xlntS-3]

Okay PJ, what's the deal? Looks like yours says Squier on the headstock. Is that a modded out CV? Come on, give it up!!

[Singin' Dave]

Sign me UP! Love my Tele Special! About 3 years ago, I was jonesing pretty bad for a Tele w/ a humbucker in the neck and had my sights set on a G&L ASAT Bluesboy. Couldn't find one of those for less than $1,000 and really didn't want to spend that much anyway, so I was holding out and saving up.

One day that summer a Craigslist ad pops up for a $350 "Fat Tele" in a town about 15 miles outside of Chicago. I answer and set out to check it out. Turns out to be a '94 Tele Special in sunburst. The guy has swapped the tuners out for some "Fender Japan" marked modern tuners but other than that the guitar is stock, in good shape and comes with a hsc. Talk him down to $300 and walk out the door with it.

Really nice guitar! Well finished, nice medium sized neck (I would say more a D neck on mine), plays really well. But I couldn't get on with the neck pickup, which, as described above, was muddy and muted to my ears. I ended up ospecial ordering a Seth Lover 4-wire neck pickup and installing it. HUGE difference in neck clarity and tone. Love these pickups!

Though the stock bridge pickup was fine, I also had a stock Fralin tele bridge lying around from another project and put that in. Wow - again an uptick in overall tone from this guitar.

But something was still missing to achieve my tonal nirvana with this thing. The guitar sounded great but lacked a bit of bloom and sustain. I couldn't pin it on the pickups, the tuners wer rock solid, the nut cut great. So I looked at the bridge. Decent looking bridge but for $35 I ordered a Wilkinson 3-saddle brass compensated bridge from GFS. Popped it on, strummed a chord and BANG!!!! There is was!! Big difference to my ears - the guitar was like a bell now and amazing to play and hear in every respect. It took me an hour to fall asleep that night I was so pumped.

Ended up selling the neck humbucker, bridge pup and the 6 saddle bridge on eBay for about $100. So, with new parts and tech work, I'm about $400 or so into this guitar financially. It is worth much much much more to me than that.

Oh---just last month I took it out and tried it against a G&L ASAT Bluesboy and mine SMOKED it, not even counting the 5 way switch coil tapping mine has that the Bluesboy does not. Might have been a bad BB though, but that GAS is cured for good!


Anyway, excellent guitars stock and EPIC with the mods. Here's a few pics:

[91xlntS-3]

S-Dave,

Very nice score! Great looking SB Tele.
I ordered one of the GFS Mini HBs, new p-guard and 3 saddle bridge for mine, along with a new Fender control plate w/V/T/3 way already installed (factory).

I just got mine out to play for a few minutes, and after tweaking the amp a little, sounds more usable, but still kind of bland. The other settings sound fine to me, with exception of the HB by its self. Seems to me the electronics in this (stock) guitar are a little "darker" sounding than a regular Tele; been playing mine against my CV Tele and there is a noticeable difference in brightness of tone on same amp settings.

Next time I change strings, I may pop on the 3 saddle bridge and see if that helps any. As I've said before, I'd really like to leave this stock. But I may consider just swapping the HB for another to see how that sounds.

Thanks for the post, you've got a great looking Tele there!

[Tim73]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

Tim73, That is one cool looking T Special! Very nice mods!!

Thanks I like it!

[Singin' Dave]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

S-Dave,

Very nice score! Great looking SB Tele.
I ordered one of the GFS Mini HBs, new p-guard and 3 saddle bridge for mine, along with a new Fender control plate w/V/T/3 way already installed (factory).

I just got mine out to play for a few minutes, and after tweaking the amp a little, sounds more usable, but still kind of bland. The other settings sound fine to me, with exception of the HB by its self. Seems to me the electronics in this (stock) guitar are a little "darker" sounding than a regular Tele; been playing mine against my CV Tele and there is a noticeable difference in brightness of tone on same amp settings.

Next time I change strings, I may pop on the 3 saddle bridge and see if that helps any. As I've said before, I'd really like to leave this stock. But I may consider just swapping the HB for another to see how that sounds.

Thanks for the post, you've got a great looking Tele there!

Thanks 91! I see no reason not to at least break some solder on yours and put in a better neck pick-up. I don't see MIMs as collectables on any level really and that thing should be played!

I can't tell you how amazing the Seth Lover sounds, both in full bucker mode and split. A stark difference to the stock bucker and really opened the door to all the great options this guitar has to offer. Perhaps a Lollar Imperial or some other bucker would compete, but I can't imagine them being much better. I think you'll find the 3 saddle bridge will really help as well.

Best of luck!

[JeffsJeep04]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

Thanks 91! I see no reason not to at least break some solder on yours and put in a better neck pick-up. I don't see MIMs as collectables on any level really and that thing should be played!

I can't tell you how amazing the Seth Lover sounds, both in full bucker mode and split. A stark difference to the stock bucker and really opened the door to all the great options this guitar has to offer. Perhaps a Lollar Imperial or some other bucker would compete, but I can't imagine them being much better. I think you'll find the 3 saddle bridge will really help as well.

Best of luck!

Where did you get the 4 lead SH-55 from? They seem to be a little scarce.

Guitar fetish has what seems to be a budget version with their "classic II" humbucker. About 1/3 the price, I might give it a whirl. Anyone have any thoughts about mounting the bucker to the body rather then the pick guard? I think it cleans up the look so much without the screws there.

[Singin' Dave]

I had to special order the 4-wire Seth Lover from a dealer, which was a small Mom n Pop about 3 blocks from my house. I went to teh SD site and did a dealer locater search and then went in and asked them to order it. Took about a week to get and cost the same as they were asking for regular two wire ones. Then paid another $20 or so to my tech to have him install and make sure everything was wired and working right

Try the GFS if you want, but man I tell ya, bite the bullet on the Seth Lover for ~$100 and don't look back.

[JeffsJeep04]

Got some new pictures of her last night, in some good company :D Does everyone else's have the two string trees, or is mine been fooled with?

[Giant]

heres mine:


bought it brand new in '94. replaced the bridge pickup because it sounded underpowered compared to the HB in the neck. Never looked back. ha ha. Just last week i replaced the stock HB with a DiMarzio Evolution.
This guitar beats any guitar i have owned. jackson, ibanez, etc. I would love to have about 2 more of these guys.....

[RocknDom]

Originally Posted by Giant

heres mine:


bought it brand new in '94. replaced the bridge pickup because it sounded underpowered compared to the HB in the neck. Never looked back. ha ha. Just last week i replaced the stock HB with a DiMarzio Evolution.
This guitar beats any guitar i have owned. jackson, ibanez, etc. I would love to have about 2 more of these guys.....

Well, you might be able to... Ha, there's one selling on ebay right now?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Telecaste...3A1|240%3A1318

[RocknDom]

Here's the correct specs of a Telecaster Special or "Tele Special".

Model Name: Tele® Special
Model Number: 013-5502-(Color#)
Series: Special/Deluxe Series
Body: Poplar with an Ash Veneer Top
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple (9.5” Raduis/241 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Vintage Style
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Pickups: Special Design Humbucking Pickup (Neck),
Special Tele (Bridge)
Pickup Switching: Special 5 Position Blade
Positions:
1. Neck Humbucking Pickup
2. Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup (Front Coil)
3. Bridge and Neck Pickups
4. Bridge and Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup
5. Bridge Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colors:
(306) Black,
(307) (Vintage White),
(328) Crimson Burst,
(332) Brown Sunburst,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel (pn#073-0250-003)
Unique Features:
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $559.99
Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1994
DISCONTINUED: 1/1997
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS:
WRENCH SIZES:

[Tim73]

Originally Posted by RocknDom

Here's the correct specs of a Telecaster Special or "Tele Special".

Model Name: Tele® Special
Model Number: 013-5502-(Color#)
Series: Special/Deluxe Series
Body: Poplar with an Ash Veneer Top
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple (9.5” Raduis/241 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Vintage Style
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Pickups: Special Design Humbucking Pickup (Neck),
Special Tele (Bridge)
Pickup Switching: Special 5 Position Blade
Positions:
1. Neck Humbucking Pickup
2. Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup (Front Coil)
3. Bridge and Neck Pickups
4. Bridge and Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup
5. Bridge Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colors:
(306) Black,
(307) (Vintage White),
(328) Crimson Burst,
(332) Brown Sunburst,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel (pn#073-0250-003)
Unique Features:
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $559.99
Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1994
DISCONTINUED: 1/1997
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS:
WRENCH SIZES:

I'd been after these for ages. Cheers

[braderrick]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

Okay PJ, what's the deal? Looks like yours says Squier on the headstock. Is that a modded out CV? Come on, give it up!!

Busted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JeffsJeep04]

Originally Posted by RocknDom

Here's the correct specs of a Telecaster Special or "Tele Special".

Model Name: Tele® Special
Model Number: 013-5502-(Color#)
Series: Special/Deluxe Series
Body: Poplar with an Ash Veneer Top
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple (9.5” Raduis/241 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Vintage Style
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Pickups: Special Design Humbucking Pickup (Neck),
Special Tele (Bridge)
Pickup Switching: Special 5 Position Blade
Positions:
1. Neck Humbucking Pickup
2. Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup (Front Coil)
3. Bridge and Neck Pickups
4. Bridge and Tapped Neck Humbucking Pickup
5. Bridge Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colors:
(306) Black,
(307) (Vintage White),
(328) Crimson Burst,
(332) Brown Sunburst,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel (pn#073-0250-003)
Unique Features:
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $559.99
Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1994
DISCONTINUED: 1/1997
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS:
WRENCH SIZES:

The black must have been super rare, haven't come across one of those yet. Vintage white seems to be by far the most common.

[RocknDom]

Yeah, the vintage white looks like the most common Tele Special. With that (light) color and being a Tele Special (poplar/back ash/front), though, it does give-off a "one-burst" appearance because of its light color... on some? Which I think is kinda neat.

This isn't mine, but here's a couple pics of a black Tele Special.

[mechanicalapple]

this one is my brothers

[tpaul]

WOW - your brother has good taste

[geemo]

Originally Posted by JeffsJeep04

Got some new pictures of her last night, in some good company :D Does everyone else's have the two string trees, or is mine been fooled with?

I think you have an extra string tree added. Springsteen style

I really liked your photos. VERY NICE!!!