Fender Lite Ash Telecaster

Jahsoul · April 26th, 2008, 02:45 PM

How are these guitars? I've not heard anything negative about it, nothing stellar either. Just wanna know if anyone has anything to complain about or if this guitar is a steal.

mellecaster · April 26th, 2008, 02:49 PM

I've worked on 4 or 5..bought & sold 2 or 3...and unlike others, was very impressed by the Build quality....Electronics (pots & switches) could stand an upgrade...but the Duncan Pickups are very nice IMO..If you get get a used one at a good price, I would.

PJ · April 26th, 2008, 05:49 PM

It sounds terrific. I've used those Duncan Alnico Pros in other guitars.
Great guitar. Cheap Asian switch could use kicking-up to normal Tele
standards. Not much to complain about on this model. They're around for reasonable outlay, new or pre-owned. Good choice.

yegbert · April 26th, 2008, 10:26 PM

+1 on the pickups, that's a nice set. I have them in my Classic Series MIM '50s Tele.

The Lite Ash Teles I've seen had more rounded edges to the body than other models. That put me off a bit on the first one I saw, but I saw and played another one later and decided that was just a minor difference that made the Tele neither better nor worse than others.

Joe Chaney · April 27th, 2008, 12:23 PM

i prefer the MIM std, they just don't feel right to me, especially the hardware

tlsmack · April 27th, 2008, 05:17 PM

I think the build quality varies a lot on this model. I do love the Duncan Alnico II Pro's. I have them in my Am Stnd.
The two things I noticed is that most of them are not particularly" Lite", and the neck appears to have a separate maple fretboard instead of a one piece neck. I've read a few reviews that say the neck warps easily, I don't know if this is true.

Eddy Boy · April 27th, 2008, 05:19 PM

I have one, I think it's great! It's not my main guitar I find it to be a little on the thin sounding side but it's a great guitar all the same.

PJ · April 27th, 2008, 08:45 PM

I have a maple lam board Warmoth neck neck and a CIJ 68 Strat with one, and neither of those have caused me any warping problems. Not sure why some of the maple necks are made this way, but I don't think I'd be too concerned about it.

maestrovert · April 27th, 2008, 09:10 PM

Mine's ok....er, kinda sorta.... i guess....
i wouldn't've purchased this particular Lite Ash Tele myself, but it was a gift from the wife so it's a keeper regardless.....
the poly finish is way too thick, the body's edge radius is excessive an' the 22 fret fingerboard's overhang precludes easy pickguard swaps....the tuners are good & the P-ups are great tho....

boris bubbanov · April 27th, 2008, 10:44 PM

I've never been impressed with this model; for same money I'd much rather have a MIM Nashville, Classic 50's, 60's or Baja. Or a partscaster.

Or 3 Made in Indonesia Fat Teles.

There's no model that screams "Tele copy" quite like a Lite Ash does, sorry.

Jahsoul · April 28th, 2008, 10:24 AM

I wanted the Baja, but I do believe it is a bit more. i really like the natural finish with a black pickguard on the lite ash.

I'm curious as to how the hardware is not up to par.

JayFreddy · April 29th, 2008, 05:56 AM

I just picked up my 2nd one for a song on Craigslist. I got a good deal on my first one too.

Despite some initial reservations about the "copy" look that others have mentioned, I've been much happier with mine than I expected, that's why I got the 2nd one.

Quality, tone, and playability is as good or better than any stock Mexi I've ever played. MSRP on these was around a grand, but they don't hold their value as well as the Mexi's. Fine with me, it means the used market's more affordable.

My first one has a two piece body, the second one is a three piece, but they're both nice sounding guitars, IMO. I gave the first one a polished bone nut, a new switch, and new pots. I'll probably do that for the second one too, but it's working fine as is, so no need to fix it yet...

On mine, the necks seem sensitive to humidity changes, similar to the Highway Ones... Maybe due to the thinner than usual finish? I just keep a hex wrench handy, and they work fine for me. The chunkier frets remind me of the Highway One too.

Okay so they look a little odd, but the Genuine Twang is there. I've been happy with mine.

p90teleman · April 29th, 2008, 11:31 AM

is 'special edition' different or is it the same guitar...?

played a 52 RI, Am Std, MIJ w/Bigsby, Highway 1 Texas and vintage white Lite Ash some time ago in the store...I must admit I liked the 'cheaper' ones better for some reason...could be the setup. But tonewise Lite Ash was way better than MIJ and AM Std...sounded more like a 'real' Tele to me, more character. It was noticeably lighter than other models too...

where I live Highway 1 Texas costs two times the price of L.Ash...

frogger · April 29th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Every single one I have looked at had issues, sharp fret ends, poorly cut nut, crappy electronics. Some of the MIMS are are very good some are not. Though the Lite Ash Tele is a nice looking guitar I would suggest looking at other models.

three barrel · April 29th, 2008, 09:28 PM

I have had mine for a year and a half. People talk about the "suspect" electronics but no one ever mentions them failing. They have never failed me. The pickups are awesome. As for the "excessive" edge radius, if I ever get around to building my own tele, I will radius the edge to match my lite ash. It is comfortable and it doesn't cut into your forearm. The poly finish is just good protection. I also like the neck a lot. When first got it, the back of the neck felt a little ruff, but a light sanding with 600 grit smoothed it out just fine. This last winter, it got a little fret sprout going, but a little work with a file took care of that. Heck, when I went into the local Guitar Center, this winter, practically every strat and tele in the place had fret sprout. Mine is a keeper, I couldn't be happier.

mellecaster · April 29th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three barrel

I have had mine for a year and a half. People talk about the "suspect" electronics but no one ever mentions them failing. They have never failed me. The pickups are awesome. As for the "excessive" edge radius, if I ever get around to building my own tele, I will radius the edge to match my lite ash. It is comfortable and it doesn't cut into your forearm. The poly finish is just good protection. I also like the neck a lot. When first got it, the back of the neck felt a little ruff, but a light sanding with 600 grit smoothed it out just fine. This last winter, it got a little fret sprout going, but a little work with a file took care of that. Heck, when I went into the local Guitar Center, this winter, practically every strat and tele in the place had fret sprout. Mine is a keeper, I couldn't be happier.

I quite agree will all you say....when I spoke of Electronics, I just mean that I don't care for the Asian switches mainly, (cause of the Feel)...and I put Switchcraft jacks in everything that stands still :)....but like I said, I feel these are Pretty Great Guitars....and like you, prefer the radius on the body edges.....Some folks don't realize there are early and late versions of these, and I prefer the later (lighter weight) versions w/ the different Fender decal on the headstock.....OK...I'll stop now........

HOBBSTER01 · April 29th, 2008, 10:21 PM

I own two of 'em. No major problems or issues.IMHO much better than MIM.
But I may be partial.
My #1 plays and sounds better than any I've owned.
A few will complain about the frets but I have never kept any guitar that did not get a fret dressing and set up anyway.

JayFreddy · April 29th, 2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Some folks don't realize there are early and late versions of these, and I prefer the later (lighter weight) versions w/ the different Fender decal on the headstock.

I had heard that the earlier ones had 2-piece bodies, and the later ones had 3-piece bodies. I honestly don't know either way, but it's surprising because my 2-piece body is a couple of pounds lighter than my 3-piece. Now you've got me wondering...

I don't know what years mine were made, does Fender keep track of manufacture dates for their Korean stuff? I got the 2-piece new in 2005, but it could be a 2004. The 3-piece is probably a 2006. Maybe I've got it backwards?

The number of body pieces doesn't effect the tone of mine in any noticeable way, but the lighter 2-piece body feels better to play. You can really feel the resonance of the wood in your hands, and the weight of the 2-piece is comparable to a Thinline with 'buckers...

Edit: Both of mine have the same decal on the headstock...

BlueMidnight · April 30th, 2008, 09:36 AM

Every one I have tried has been heavy, nice birdseye veneer on the fingerboard though.

ecsong187 · April 30th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Great guitar. This is my first tele, and to tell you the truth i liked the feel and sound of the lite ash more than the american made teles. That's jsut personal preference. I don't have any complaints, frets are good, pickups are ok, im putting in a fralin blues special, and adder t-300 neck pickup. I would say it was money very well spent. But i do dream of one day owning a 52 tele. oh man. haha

April 26th, 2008, 02:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jahsoul TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Richmond Posts: 31	Fender Lite Ash Telecaster How are these guitars? I've not heard anything negative about it, nothing stellar either. Just wanna know if anyone has anything to complain about or if this guitar is a steal.

April 26th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,849 17 Photos	I've worked on 4 or 5..bought & sold 2 or 3...and unlike others, was very impressed by the Build quality....Electronics (pots & switches) could stand an upgrade...but the Duncan Pickups are very nice IMO..If you get get a used one at a good price, I would. __________________ Let's Not Forget the Other 75% of The Tone Equation...It's Called an AMP

April 26th, 2008, 05:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
PJ Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,700 4 Photos	It sounds terrific. I've used those Duncan Alnico Pros in other guitars. Great guitar. Cheap Asian switch could use kicking-up to normal Tele standards. Not much to complain about on this model. They're around for reasonable outlay, new or pre-owned. Good choice. __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."

April 27th, 2008, 12:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Joe Chaney Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aude, France Age: 15 Posts: 388 1 Photos	i prefer the MIM std, they just don't feel right to me, especially the hardware __________________ If you're not careful, It'll stick to your cheeks, and You'll smell like a native, For a couple of weeks In France

April 27th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
PJ Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,700 4 Photos	I have a maple lam board Warmoth neck neck and a CIJ 68 Strat with one, and neither of those have caused me any warping problems. Not sure why some of the maple necks are made this way, but I don't think I'd be too concerned about it. __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."

April 26th, 2008, 10:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
yegbert Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Clinton, Maryland (US) Age: 54 Posts: 4,313 66 Photos	+1 on the pickups, that's a nice set. I have them in my Classic Series MIM '50s Tele. The Lite Ash Teles I've seen had more rounded edges to the body than other models. That put me off a bit on the first one I saw, but I saw and played another one later and decided that was just a minor difference that made the Tele neither better nor worse than others.

April 27th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
tlsmack Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lonk I-lant, New York Posts: 359 42 Photos	I think the build quality varies a lot on this model. I do love the Duncan Alnico II Pro's. I have them in my Am Stnd. The two things I noticed is that most of them are not particularly" Lite", and the neck appears to have a separate maple fretboard instead of a one piece neck. I've read a few reviews that say the neck warps easily, I don't know if this is true.

April 27th, 2008, 05:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eddy Boy TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Suffolk, U.K Age: 20 Posts: 33	I have one, I think it's great! It's not my main guitar I find it to be a little on the thin sounding side but it's a great guitar all the same.

April 27th, 2008, 09:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 5,828	Mine's ok....er, kinda sorta.... i guess.... i wouldn't've purchased this particular Lite Ash Tele myself, but it was a gift from the wife so it's a keeper regardless..... the poly finish is way too thick, the body's edge radius is excessive an' the 22 fret fingerboard's overhang precludes easy pickguard swaps....the tuners are good & the P-ups are great tho.... __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

April 27th, 2008, 10:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 5,945	I've never been impressed with this model; for same money I'd much rather have a MIM Nashville, Classic 50's, 60's or Baja. Or a partscaster. Or 3 Made in Indonesia Fat Teles. There's no model that screams "Tele copy" quite like a Lite Ash does, sorry. __________________ Bubban0v

April 28th, 2008, 10:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jahsoul TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Richmond Posts: 31	I wanted the Baja, but I do believe it is a bit more. i really like the natural finish with a black pickguard on the lite ash. I'm curious as to how the hardware is not up to par.

April 29th, 2008, 05:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
JayFreddy Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dallas TX USA Age: 43 Posts: 717 3 Photos	MIK LAT SE (Made in Korea Lite Ash Tele Special Edition) I just picked up my 2nd one for a song on Craigslist. I got a good deal on my first one too. Despite some initial reservations about the "copy" look that others have mentioned, I've been much happier with mine than I expected, that's why I got the 2nd one. Quality, tone, and playability is as good or better than any stock Mexi I've ever played. MSRP on these was around a grand, but they don't hold their value as well as the Mexi's. Fine with me, it means the used market's more affordable. My first one has a two piece body, the second one is a three piece, but they're both nice sounding guitars, IMO. I gave the first one a polished bone nut, a new switch, and new pots. I'll probably do that for the second one too, but it's working fine as is, so no need to fix it yet... On mine, the necks seem sensitive to humidity changes, similar to the Highway Ones... Maybe due to the thinner than usual finish? I just keep a hex wrench handy, and they work fine for me. The chunkier frets remind me of the Highway One too. Okay so they look a little odd, but the Genuine Twang is there. I've been happy with mine.

April 29th, 2008, 11:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
p90teleman TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 29	is 'special edition' different or is it the same guitar...? played a 52 RI, Am Std, MIJ w/Bigsby, Highway 1 Texas and vintage white Lite Ash some time ago in the store...I must admit I liked the 'cheaper' ones better for some reason...could be the setup. But tonewise Lite Ash was way better than MIJ and AM Std...sounded more like a 'real' Tele to me, more character. It was noticeably lighter than other models too... where I live Highway 1 Texas costs two times the price of L.Ash...

April 29th, 2008, 11:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
frogger Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 414	Every single one I have looked at had issues, sharp fret ends, poorly cut nut, crappy electronics. Some of the MIMS are are very good some are not. Though the Lite Ash Tele is a nice looking guitar I would suggest looking at other models.

April 29th, 2008, 09:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
three barrel TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Age: 52 Posts: 87	I have had mine for a year and a half. People talk about the "suspect" electronics but no one ever mentions them failing. They have never failed me. The pickups are awesome. As for the "excessive" edge radius, if I ever get around to building my own tele, I will radius the edge to match my lite ash. It is comfortable and it doesn't cut into your forearm. The poly finish is just good protection. I also like the neck a lot. When first got it, the back of the neck felt a little ruff, but a light sanding with 600 grit smoothed it out just fine. This last winter, it got a little fret sprout going, but a little work with a file took care of that. Heck, when I went into the local Guitar Center, this winter, practically every strat and tele in the place had fret sprout. Mine is a keeper, I couldn't be happier.

April 29th, 2008, 10:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North GA. Posts: 219	Own 2 I own two of 'em. No major problems or issues.IMHO much better than MIM. But I may be partial. My #1 plays and sounds better than any I've owned. A few will complain about the frets but I have never kept any guitar that did not get a fret dressing and set up anyway. __________________ The Hobbster

April 30th, 2008, 09:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
BlueMidnight Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Cal Posts: 138	Every one I have tried has been heavy, nice birdseye veneer on the fingerboard though.

April 30th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
ecsong187 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle,WA Age: 20 Posts: 46	Great guitar. This is my first tele, and to tell you the truth i liked the feel and sound of the lite ash more than the american made teles. That's jsut personal preference. I don't have any complaints, frets are good, pickups are ok, im putting in a fralin blues special, and adder t-300 neck pickup. I would say it was money very well spent. But i do dream of one day owning a 52 tele. oh man. haha