I need some advice (spending $550)

[acadie]

I'm getting overwhelmed and it is starting to take the fun out of picking a new guitar. I had a 60's classic, which I regret getting rid of, but miss everything about the guitar. So, I opened up my wallet and am on the hunt.

For $550, I have several options--- enough for a used AM tele (which will hold value), or an assortment of MIM tele's for around $400, which would allow me to upgrade pups.

I know its been asked before, but bang-for-buck, what is the best way to go? There aren't many music stores close by for me to try out countless guitars. I'm just looking for a push in the right direction. i'd probably Ebay or something to avoid the Guitar Center markups.

Simply, my ideal tele would not have a huge baseball bat neck, weight would not be an issue, no humbuckers and what every calls the "classic tele tone".

[OutlawSteph]

My Highway 1 was a floor model at George's Music, and I got it for less than $550.00. I played a lot of guitars at George's and Guitar Center before deciding on this one. I'm very happy with it. It's my first Tele, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it's got a great vintage sound and a comfortable neck. Good luck!

[holndav]

you said you miss everythhing about it.

aren't they about $550 or so...?

[Raymond]

It looks like a used MIJ could be the way to go...

http://www.gbase.com/gearlist/result...btnGSKeys2.y=7

Now, remember that gbase prices are high...Check out the first one. It's a MIJ 62RI...no pics, though...

[acadie]

yea, I obviously I thought about that. The one I had was bought used with alot of upgrades, which would put me close to $700 if I were to try and replicate. Lesson learned I guess.....

[Cooper]

would by my first choice. ash body, awesome neck, traditional pups.

next choice would be a highway 1.

if you're willing to spend a little extra and maybe wait a while, Fender's coming out with my personal holy grail of Teles: the Lite Ash tele. light ash body, 3 barrel bridge, birdseye maple neck, seymour duncans (traditional). i think this ones going for around $650.

[_DanRoy_]

get a used highway 1 (very resonant guitar, EXCELLENT neck)

or a muddy waters if you prefer ash (thicker neck)

[Nick Fanis]

the best deal FENDER offers is in my opinion this one:

http://www.music123.com/Item/?itemno=127009

it must be a KILLER tele for very low $$$

the biggest advantages compared to the competition:

1.Jumbo frets
2.Two piece maple neck (MUCH stabler than a one pc)
3.Seymour Duncan AL.2pro pups (great pickups)
4.light swamp ash body (not a venner,not a hollow body)
5.abalone dots (well they look way cool!)
6.it looks like it has standard GOTOH modern sealed tuners,these are fantastic tuners in my experience.

[chris m.]

That sure looks nice and at a great price!

My only concern is that when I go to guitar shops and
play a whole bunch of Telecasters, some sound and
feel awesome and others just don't have the mojo,
sounding kind of dull. And it can be surprising, where a Custom Shop Tele is the one that sounds dead and a MIM Standard Tele is the one that spanks and twangs. Bottom line is I buy pedals, amps, cords, and all kinds of stuff sight unseen, but when it comes to guitars I prefer to select the "pick of the litter". You may save money and time in the long-run by visiting some stores rather than ordering off E-Bay and then sending it back, or wondering about the one that got away.

But I understand that this doesn't always work for people. If you want to order sight unseen I would highly recommend Music One Workshop- I think you can find the link on the TDPRI link pages. They will talk to you on the phone and pick out a nice, light resonant Tele for you, and then give it a "gold level" setup with just the action you like. (They order lots of guitars from Fenders and then keep the ones they like, sending the rest back.) I broke my own rule and ordered a Tele from them and was 100% satisfied. Their prices are slightly higher than MF, GC, etc., but given the personal service, expertise, and excellent setup, I'd say the extra bucks are well worth it. Maybe they would pick out a nice example of the ash lite Tele that Nick mentioned above.