When is a Tele no longer a Tele

[Gary in Boston]

Hey all,

I have a questiomn and I am not trying to be a wise guy with this but here goes.

The Telecaster was invented and all it's parts were pretty much established right up front. The way they were built, finished and voiced is what they are all about. Right?

I see so many folks adding this and that. From humbuckers to custom wound pickups made from rare earth elements found only in hard to reach places. Then there is stainless steel frets and active electronics not to mention nitro vs poly etc etc etc. These aren't really Telecasters anymore are they? I mean their sound... the sound of a Telecaster happens because of the sum of it's parts

Start messing with the parts and that is going to change the guitar until it isn't a Telecaster anymore.

OR is the design so sound and true that any combo of wood, steel and electronics automatically produces the Telecaster sound?

Telecasters didn't get to be Telecasters by accident or in a vacume.

What I always loved about them and still do is the fact that they easy to relate to and are that wonderful mix of form and function. They are probably the most recorded guitar and so forth.

So I ask: When is a Tele no longer a Tele?

Gary

[richardpigeon]

when it's a strat...