New Tele owner here

Lur Kingman · May 18th, 2008, 10:14 AM

Hello,

So this year I decided I wanted a Telecaster. Choices and responsibilities in life being what they are, careful planning was dictated (read: Make sure you're getting what you want!).

After trying several different models including Bajas, Lite Ash, MIM Ash Standards, and finally the Nashville, I went to the local music store yesterday and something caught my eye.

Hanging there on the wall was an ordinary looking, used but WELL cared for, Highway One in black. So I took it down and started strumming. I liked the way it played, so our next logical step was to plug it in, but I kept thinking: "These strings feel slick"

In to the amp we go! I am putting this slick stringed little number through it's paces (ha!) and digging the sounds it makes. The resident tech of the store comes over and says:

"Does that thing still have the flatwounds on it?"

Apparently the guy that owned this liked the way those strings sounded and played.

So, long story short, I ended up taking this gem home with me. I think I got a killer deal on what is basically a new American made Telecaster! Yes it's not the ash body I was sooo convinced I wanted, but this one just spoke to me when I played it. And based on the reading I've been doing here, some others have experienced the same phenomenon.

This Tele journey will prove exciting!

PS: After some obligatory haggling on the price and a set of DR Pure Blues (roundwound strings) I couldn't be happier with the newest addition to the stable.

buddywayne · May 18th, 2008, 10:30 AM

Welcome, Lur. Sounds like a nice tele. Pics are nice.

Lur Kingman · May 18th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddywayne

Welcome, Lur. Sounds like a nice tele. Pics are nice.

Pic request noted. I'll have to wait until my fingers get too sore from playin' her to start snapping pics though!

91xlntS-3 · May 18th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Congrats and Enjoy your new Tele! As soon as your fingers get sore enough, pics please!

stephwills · May 18th, 2008, 12:17 PM

Congrats! I think you'll be really happy with the Highway One. I love mine.

boris bubbanov · May 18th, 2008, 02:37 PM

Welcome, Lur!

Glad to hear you like your new Highway One.

That's an interesting idea. I find the H1 frets awful big, I wonder what flatwounds would feel like on one of my H1s.

Questions:

Rosewood board or maple?

Upgrade (black 70's script on headstock) or pre-upgrade?

Pictures would be cool.

Lur Kingman · May 18th, 2008, 07:45 PM

OK,

Here is a pic. Not the best, as photography is not my strong point.

A reply to Boris Bubbanov:

It's a maple fingerboard
It's the upgraded '70s version
The flat wounds were 11's, the current strings are 11's, I didn't want to wait on a setup, so I just did a 1 for 1 swap on the strings. My other guitars sport 10's.

I am guessing this is a 2006, since it has the little medallion on the back. I am still getting used to the Greasebucket tone control thing. My other Fender is a Clapton with Lace Sensors, so this Tele is a step outside of what I am used to.

I guess if I want to continue my thoughts on the nuts and bolts, or magnets and volts (

I'm here all week!), I should start a thread in the Tech forum.

Here's the pic, and thanks for reading!

Tdot · May 18th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lur Kingman

Yes it's not the ash body I was sooo convinced I wanted, but this one just spoke to me when I played it. And based on the reading I've been doing here, some others have experienced the same phenomenon.

That's how my Hwy1 got me.

Lur Kingman · May 18th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

That's how my Hwy1 got me.

It's the strangest thing. Even with heavier strings then I usually play, and flat wounds at that, it still just sort of...well worked.

I realize the upgrades to the Highway One series wouldn't be for everyone. Big frets, neck shape, logos and such. But for me, I can tell this is the next step in that evolution that I am sure began when I added a Strat to the arsenal.

stephwills · May 18th, 2008, 10:35 PM

omg, that is a sexy one. Thanks for posting the pic!

Wardpike · May 18th, 2008, 10:55 PM

Your other guitar has Lace Sensors? OMG, that's the worst! My 95 Tele originally had Lace Sensors, and as soon as I could, I replaced them with actual pickups. I know some folks like them, but Don and me will never be friends. LOL...

Congrats on the Tele, it's not just a step outside, I think you'll find it's the next step!

Cheers,
Ward

Lur Kingman · May 19th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephwills

omg, that is a sexy one. Thanks for posting the pic!

Why thank you! I tend to agree.

To Ward,

The Lace pickups were stock on the Clapton, based on when I bought it I think it was a vintage right before the switch to the Noiseless Fenders. For some reason I've kept the whole guitar stock, with the exception of a string gauge change. For me it was one that just worked right off the rack.

Doug Ferguson · May 20th, 2008, 08:15 AM

Welcome, Lur. Sweet lookin' axe you got there!

Lur Kingman · May 20th, 2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Ferguson

Welcome, Lur. Sweet lookin' axe you got there!

Thanks! I'm really enjoying playing it, even unplugged. It just sings and sings.

Also upon further research, I have learned that the "improved" Highway One series sports the 43mm nut. This was one of the things that caught my eye...er hand...with the Nashville that was in the running.

monkeyd.luffy · May 20th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Hey, thats a great-looking tele you've got there!

I recently purchased my first telecaster as well, although mine happens to be an MIJ. Plays like a dream though, and the tones... well it was definitely love at first sight/sound!

Haha. Enjoy playing your new axe man! Peace!

P.S I just joined this forum as well, and the people here seem real friendly!

ThreePlyGuy · May 20th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Very nice indeed, thanks for posting!

Colt W. Knight · May 20th, 2008, 10:12 AM

I love my Highway 1, I think you will wear the frets off yours.

Lur Kingman · May 20th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

I love my Highway 1, I think you will wear the frets off yours.

I'm digging these big old frets. Much larger than the Clapton's. Reminds me of my ESP. I am surprised I waited so long for this Telebug to bite.

As I am playing I am noticing some hardware specific questions, but in keeping with forum rules, I'll use the tech area to address them.

I would like to also thank everyone for the warm greeting I've gotten here.

May 18th, 2008, 10:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lur Kingman TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: WI Posts: 12	New Tele owner here Hello, So this year I decided I wanted a Telecaster. Choices and responsibilities in life being what they are, careful planning was dictated (read: Make sure you're getting what you want!). After trying several different models including Bajas, Lite Ash, MIM Ash Standards, and finally the Nashville, I went to the local music store yesterday and something caught my eye. Hanging there on the wall was an ordinary looking, used but WELL cared for, Highway One in black. So I took it down and started strumming. I liked the way it played, so our next logical step was to plug it in, but I kept thinking: "These strings feel slick" In to the amp we go! I am putting this slick stringed little number through it's paces (ha!) and digging the sounds it makes. The resident tech of the store comes over and says: "Does that thing still have the flatwounds on it?" Apparently the guy that owned this liked the way those strings sounded and played. So, long story short, I ended up taking this gem home with me. I think I got a killer deal on what is basically a new American made Telecaster! Yes it's not the ash body I was sooo convinced I wanted, but this one just spoke to me when I played it. And based on the reading I've been doing here, some others have experienced the same phenomenon. This Tele journey will prove exciting! PS: After some obligatory haggling on the price and a set of DR Pure Blues (roundwound strings) I couldn't be happier with the newest addition to the stable.

May 18th, 2008, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
buddywayne Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: missouri Age: 62 Posts: 529 6 Photos	Welcome, Lur. Sounds like a nice tele. Pics are nice. __________________ 51 luv!!

May 18th, 2008, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
stephwills Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 257	Congrats! I think you'll be really happy with the Highway One. I love mine. __________________ steph Think I'll just stay here and drink ... Last edited by stephwills : May 18th, 2008 at 12:18 PM. Reason: Stupid rules of English

May 18th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,397	Welcome, Lur! Glad to hear you like your new Highway One. That's an interesting idea. I find the H1 frets awful big, I wonder what flatwounds would feel like on one of my H1s. Questions: Rosewood board or maple? Upgrade (black 70's script on headstock) or pre-upgrade? Pictures would be cool. __________________ Bubban0v

May 18th, 2008, 10:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
stephwills Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 257	omg, that is a sexy one. Thanks for posting the pic! __________________ steph Think I'll just stay here and drink ...

May 18th, 2008, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 594	Congrats and Enjoy your new Tele! As soon as your fingers get sore enough, pics please!

May 18th, 2008, 10:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 585	Your other guitar has Lace Sensors? OMG, that's the worst! My 95 Tele originally had Lace Sensors, and as soon as I could, I replaced them with actual pickups. I know some folks like them, but Don and me will never be friends. LOL... Congrats on the Tele, it's not just a step outside, I think you'll find it's the next step! Cheers, Ward

May 20th, 2008, 08:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
Doug Ferguson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 55 Posts: 1,176	Welcome, Lur. Sweet lookin' axe you got there! __________________ If you get hung up on just guitar players, you've missed something.... Don't ever get to a point where you just gotta be a guitar player. You hear something, go try to get that note and sound as much like that as you can.-Buddy Guy

May 20th, 2008, 09:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
monkeyd.luffy NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 6	Hey, thats a great-looking tele you've got there! I recently purchased my first telecaster as well, although mine happens to be an MIJ. Plays like a dream though, and the tones... well it was definitely love at first sight/sound! Haha. Enjoy playing your new axe man! Peace! P.S I just joined this forum as well, and the people here seem real friendly!

May 20th, 2008, 10:10 AM	#16 (permalink)
ThreePlyGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California/Arizona Age: 59 Posts: 313	Very nice indeed, thanks for posting! __________________ Good luck with your projects!

May 20th, 2008, 10:12 AM	#17 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,420	I love my Highway 1, I think you will wear the frets off yours.