Thinking about getting my first Tele

[Libertine]

My current guitar is a 1996 MIM Stratocaster which I got used and a little beat up. Its been great for the first year or so that i've been learning guitar, but I'm in the market for a new guitar. As a combination 18th bday/graduation present my parents and uncle have offered to buy me a new guitar. I've always been really attracted to the Tele's looks, and it is used by alot of indie rock bands that I like to play. As I've been learning from a teacher I've been playing a wide range of songs rock, blues, jazz. I feel like I now have a strong foundation to start trying to find my own style and sound, and i'm wondering if the Tele is what I am looking for. My uncle is kind of pushing for a Studio Les Paul since he has one himself. Anyways I play alot of stuff pop-punk, punk, grunge, garage rock, post-punk. I really have limited knowledge of gear though, so if you guys could point me in the right direction model wise (I don't want to make my parents/uncle spend more than $1000.)

Let me leave you with a couple of videos of two of my favorite bands rocking with teles.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TF34yVLFRiE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wvNrsuieMLs

[Libertine]

I forgot to add, Joe Strummer is one of my idols. The reason I started playing guitar, and as I'm sure you know, he used a Telecaster throughout his entire career. RIP Joe.

[sonicland]

Obviously being a Telecaster forum, it should be no surprise as to the advise you get here, but I will say this: A Tele is a vastly different guitar than a Les Paul. They are completely different beasts in feel and sound and you really need to play good examples of both to reach a valid decision. That said, $1000 can buy you an excellent tele, if it was me I'd go for the new American Standard.

[Libertine]

I have played an Epiphone LP and an older MIM Tele.
I'm not sure if I'm correct here but the Les Paul seemed to have alot heavier of a sound, but a bit more muddy. While the Tele was a bit more crisp and had a bite to it. I will go back to a guitar store soon to play both.

Would a tele be better if i'm trying to get the jangly sound such as the lead in this song?: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nrMPUlJxmt8

[sonicland]

Yes, Les Pauls have a heavier sound, thicker and fuller, and muddy only if you make it so (or the pups stink). It does appear that you are looking for more of a Tele sound. The Strokes video sounds cool but I wouldn't call his tone particularly Tele-like, but definitely Fender-y. Many here will tell you that the amp is a huge part of the equation and they would be correct in saying so. Personally, I don't have any guitars with humbuckers, I like the way single coils cut through and I like the way they overdrive.

[Libertine]

thanks for the advice sonicland.

i think i am going to feel foolish with such a nice axe while i am quite honestly still learning.

[sonicland]

Originally Posted by Libertine

i think i am going to feel foolish with such a nice axe while i am quite honestly still learning.

Absolutely not, IMHO the #1 thing a guitar should do is inspire you to play, everything else is just icing on the cake.

Good luck.

[TG]

There are quite a few differences betwen different telecaster models, and if you get all nerdy and into it like many of us here you'll soon learn all about it.

But in a nutshell, you have 'vintage' style teles which were made, or are based on guitars made, between 1951 and about 1980....and more modern ones which are from the early '80s on. The main difference is the bridge. 'Vintage' models have the old 'ashtray' bridge with raised edges and...usually...3 saddles with 2 strings on each saddle. Modern tele will have a flat bridge plate with just the back edge raised and will have 6 saddles like your strat does.
Then there are loads of different neck shapes (in cross-section, that is). Old Fenders had a more curved fretboard than modern ones and also a thicker cross section.
So if I were you I'd go around some shops and see what is there and try as many out as you can, and see what ones feel best to you. Everyone has their own preferences.
Modern ones are the US and Mexican 'standard' teles, but there are new vintage-style 'reissues' like the Classic 50s and Classic 60s telecasters, and some that have a mixture of old and new design like the Highway1 and Baja teles.

They're all good. Go see what feels the best when you are playing it.

[KDOG]

Well done on finding this forum. It is a different type of place because the Tele is a different type of guitar. You are going to find plenty of great info here. As for your hunt for a guitar, take your time. There are plenty of Great instruments out there. Lurking on this forum is a good start. Check Ebay for ideas on potential options. Look at there offerings, and if you see something that captures your attention google the ax and see if it is reviewed somewhere on the net. Use Harmony Central. There is a ton of good info there; real players giving real world feed back. Ask here. Take your time, and play as many instruments as you can. Good Luck

[giginthesky]

a lot of time can be wasted thinking. just go buy one!

[austintele]

52 reissue(used) or a 50's/60's classic if you like a vintage feeling neck

american standard or hwy 1 if you like a modern(flatter fretboard and bigger frets) feeling neck

Just play a bunch and buy the one that you dig

good luck

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by Libertine

thanks for the advice sonicland.

i think i am going to feel foolish with such a nice axe while i am quite honestly still learning.

You will never be unhappy for buying the best. Everybody will tell you to go play a bunch of them and find the one that fits. I would agree with that but it sounds like you need to play Lps and teles through a variety of amps to see which type suits what your ear is looking for and then get the best "piece" from that decision.

[Doug Ferguson]

Originally Posted by giginthesky

a lot of time can be wasted thinking. just go buy one!

+1. Shop around, find one that feels right, and go for it! You'll not be disappointed.

[91xlntS-3]

Trying to find that "special" guitar will be (should be) the most fun (and maybe frustrating) thing you can do! Teles and Les Pauls are 2 totally different animals, and there are great examples of each to be had. A Tele is my first guitar of choice, with an LP being my second choice. Years ago, it was the opposite. IMO, finding a good Gibson (at a reasonable price) is harder than finding a good Tele. So, try as many as you can find and enjoy the "hunt".

Don't forget the other part that you'll need; a decent amp! You'll be surprised at how different the same guitar will sound thru different amps!

Good luck and Enjoy yourself! Welcome to TDPRI !

[usc96]

I have both, a Gibson LP Standard and a Fender Nocaster. Another option that no one has pointed out is getting a tele with a humbucker. Best of both worlds.

[Colt W. Knight]

There are joe strumer teles, but you wont find a lot of love for their reliced aesthetics here.

[Libertine]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

There are joe strumer teles, but you wont find a lot of love for their reliced aesthetics here.

as much as I love Joe Strummer, I think I want to buy my own guitar and create my own style, not copy his.

[63dot]

mim tele standard
tele classic
baja tele
highway 1 tele
am. std. tele

...that's a good place to start yet there are other cool options too like tele custom models, tele deluxe models, and some artist signature telecasters

a tele with at least one humbucker may give you the most versatility if you already have a fender stratocaster

[Libertine]

I was wondering if anyone could identify the tele, or just the color of the tele used in this video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oQNC364qSNg

[Whisperer]

Originally Posted by TG

.... if you get all nerdy and into it like many of us here you'll soon learn all about it.

.

hee hee

[Kewk]

It it were my money, I'd get a highway 1 for my first tele (which is what I did). If it were my parents money I'd go for an American Standard tele. I still think the basic tele pickup arrangement is the best.

I wouldn't worry too much about what you're favorite bands play. Play what feels right to you. To me, a tele feels just right and a LP (my daughter has one) feels very clunky.

[Big Guns]

I agree with usc96, Tele with a humbucker does it all, or at least close enough without spending for multiple guitars. Like you, I've only been playing for a year but in that time have owned about 20 guitars while trying to find THE ONE. It has turned out to be a Vintage 52 Hot Rod Tele. The Les Pauls are too heavy/clunky and not balanced (body heavier than neck, I haven't owned a weight relieved one), Firebirds too neck heavy, 335 too large, PRS McCarty had too glossy of a neck finish, SG too cheap looking/feeling and neck too thin,Taylor T5 doing nothing well, Strat too thin sounding with only two positions being usable for me, regular Tele seemed like a one trick pony(Twang, twang or twang), Deluxe Tele and Deluxe Strat too gimmicky with the S1 switch. To my ears, the 52 Hot Rod sounds the best with all 3 positions being different and useable. The neck pickup giving a nice, rich, full sound. The bridge pickup giving a more of the typical twang with a little bite. And the middle position giving my favorite sound, thick but with a nice sparkle. It also feels the best to me with the weight being balanced and a perfectly sized and shaped neck. And IMO looks the best (with a LP goldtop being a close second). It's over your $1000 limit but sell your strat, raid your piggy bank, put that money with the $1000 and you might be in the ballpark for a used one.

[Jake D]

Hey Libertine!

Well, I agree that you should get either a USA Standard or a Highway 1. Highway 1 is a great work horse. You don't have to worry about screwing it up and it has a great neck with nice fat frets. Plus the stock pups are pretty hot and will play nice with all the different styles you play. Toss some better pups in down the road and you've got yourself a keeper!

Welcome to the forum!

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Big Guns

I agree with usc96, Tele with a humbucker does it all, or at least close enough without spending for multiple guitars. Like you, I've only been playing for a year but in that time have owned about 20 guitars while trying to find THE ONE. It has turned out to be a Vintage 52 Hot Rod Tele. The Les Pauls are too heavy/clunky and not balanced (body heavier than neck, I haven't owned a weight relieved one), Firebirds too neck heavy, 335 too large, PRS McCarty had too glossy of a neck finish, SG too cheap looking/feeling and neck too thin,Taylor T5 doing nothing well, Strat too thin sounding with only two positions being usable for me, regular Tele seemed like a one trick pony(Twang, twang or twang), Deluxe Tele and Deluxe Strat too gimmicky with the S1 switch. To my ears, the 52 Hot Rod sounds the best with all 3 positions being different and useable. The neck pickup giving a nice, rich, full sound. The bridge pickup giving a more of the typical twang with a little bite. And the middle position giving my favorite sound, thick but with a nice sparkle. It also feels the best to me with the weight being balanced and a perfectly sized and shaped neck. And IMO looks the best (with a LP goldtop being a close second). It's over your $1000 limit but sell your strat, raid your piggy bank, put that money with the $1000 and you might be in the ballpark for a used one.

i did a very similar thing, but got 20 guitars over the first four years of going from beginner to a more advanced player (and 40 more in the six years after that)

my musical mentor, who spent 8 years playing four to six hours daily on his electric guitar while i was in college learning nothing remotely related to music, became a studio ace and learned that the trick to sounds is first in your fingers and then in your amp/effects

a tele with a humbucker, like i also suggested, is a perfect almost all around axe, and with a lot of practice and theory training, one can do almost anything with it

my friend who gets all the sounds does it through two humbuckers, and gets his twangy tones through splitting a dimarzio humbucker or using that setting in conjunction with a full humbucker and turning the volume knob down on the humbucker for the in between tones found on teles and strats

using that and his great skill as a professional, he gets any fender sound that i can conjure up with my nearly 20 various fenders i have owned over the years

in the end, while gear is somewhat helpful, nothing replaces thousands of hours of practice and learning how to manipulate the tone on the guitar with one's feel

hendrix and srv are great examples of what one can do with feel in a way few can replicate...santana is also another one

i think a mim tele or highway 1 tele with a duncan mini humbucker or full sized humbucker in the neck can do wonders...dimarzio and prs humbuckers are also great as is the ibanez special and super 58s

if money is no object, as is not the case in this thread, an original PAF or just post-PAF is an incredible neck pickup for a telecaster...but a pickup like that costs anwhere from $1000 to $10,000 dollars in the case of a mint zebra PAF from gibson's electric days of old

[TG]

Originally Posted by Libertine

I was wondering if anyone could identify the tele, or just the color of the tele used in this video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oQNC364qSNg

It's hard to tell exactly since the picture quality isn't ideal, but it's most likely a 52 Reissue (or 'American Vintage ‘52 Telecaster', as it seems to be called now), and the colour is called blonde or butterscotch blonde.
The 52RI is based on the specs of an early 1950s tele, with the original style bridge I mentioned before with 3 saddles (made of brass) and a black single ply pickguard attached with 5 screws....as well as some other details I won't go into.
But with 52RIs there are a couple of things to be aware of. One is the switch wiring. It comes with the original arrangement where you get the bridge, the neck and then the neck with a pre-set 'bassy' sound...which many players find unusable. But you can easily rewire it to the modern arrangement of bridge, both and neck..
Secondly, the neck is a fat 'U' shape with the old 7.25" radius and people tend to either love it or hate it. So it's kind of important to find out which one you are.

But there are some other models with that 'look'. The Baja tele is similar, but it has a more modern neck and also some cool pickup wiring. It's very popular. It comes in blonde, but with a white pickguard (but it's dead easy to swap it for a black one if you want).
Chances are the Baja tele would suit you, I think. It's one of the best models they do, IMO.
Go to fender.com and look them up.