52RI or 52RIHR

[jchabalk]

Hi there - i'm getting real close to pulling the trigger on one of these but i'm having a problem making the final decision.

I like the larger frets and the satin finish on the neck from the hot rod, but i don't really want the humbucker.

This might just be a case of my having to decide if the neck and frets are worth $400 to me so any counseling to that effect would probably be worthwhile. ;)

This is my first fender since a strat i had years ago. (i could never bond with that guitar). i really dig teles, i also play a fat neck gibson les paul and really like the neck on it. i haven't been able to compare them both A/B, i've played them separately though (at different shops). It's a tough call because there's really no bad decision to be made i think.

I'm considering the 52RI and using the extra $$ for a set of danny gatton pups

thanks in advance on any recommendations or sound reasoning

I play mostly rock and country (not "modern" ). I'm currently playing through a modded blues jr. (most billm mods).

[BuddyLee]

I love my Hot Rod. I like the 9.5" Radius neck too. But I would rather have the smaller frets...

Have you played them both yet? Have you heard the humbucker?

I want a '52 RI too, but between the 2 I personally like the Hot Rod better. I would say play them both through a good amp and pick the one you like better... because you will probably like both. It is definitely a win/win no matter which one you go with. Even more so if you get one used for like 1/2 retail. They are out there.

[nvilletele]

I have one of each, and I like the humbucker in the neck (actually, I love it), but if I were a gigging musician I would definitely prefer the satin finish on the neck of the hot rod. Since I dont gig, the nitro neck of the AV52 RI doesn't bother me terribly. They are both terrific


You might also consider an American Deluxe Ash in BSB (I have one of these as well, and like it a lot too), and just swap out the pickups if the SCN's are not to your liking . . . .

[tele12]

I would think it would be a little easier to adjust to the 9.5 rad coming from the Les Paul.

[marcbc]

Cant go wrong with either one.
What type of music would you be playing?
I think if i was mine id go with the Normal 52RI.

[Guitar Rat]

My two cents....

If you have just one Tele, I wouldn't have a bucker in it....that center selector setting just doesn't fly for a Tele sound with it. Get an S-1 selector if you want the 'bucker tone, imo....I don't think old country/rock will really benefit with a neck humbucker though.

I have a 52 RI and love that thing to death--all stock but for the "modern" tone upgrade. I had the chance to play it and a Hot Rod in the same store. Not knocking the Hot Rod....might be my next Tele....but the 52RI just was IT for me. Yeah, the HR was really nice....but when I took the 52 off the wall and played it, it was one of those cases where I HAD to have it. YMMV

[BuddyLee]

FWIW I bought it because of the neck humbucker. Today I was trying out a BF Bassman and the dude was enamored with my Hot Rod. Especially the neck pup. He said that was one of the best sounding guits he heard played through his amp.

Now that could have been a selling tactic, but I can not argue much because I thought it sounded especially good too, even with me hacking my way through riffs.

[sonny wolf]

The hot rod is really cool but I don't like the mini humbucker...I think it is ugly.I would have prefered them putting a regular style P.A.F. humbucker like Keith Richards.I do however think that it is still a great guitar...thin nitro finish and easy playabilty thanks to the large frets and 9.5 radius.If I bought one,I would simply buy a standard Tele neck single coil pickup and install it with a 52 style black pickguard.You can always sell off the mini humbucker on craigslist or wherever.I do own two regular 52 reissues and they are really great.Just wait for the right one to come along and you might find your holy grail!

[jchabalk]

hi there - thanks for all the great advice!!

i picked up a 52RI Hot Rod today. In the end it came down to the neck, i really liked the feel of the Hot Rod neck. It's bigger, rounder and the satin finish plays really nicely.

I'm not going to do anything to it right away but i'm curious as to how much trouble it is to change the mini-humbucker out for a single-coil. Do i just need a new pickguard and the single-coil can screw right into place where the humbucker was in the body? (and should i do the modern wiring mod?)

The humbucker sounds great but i've got 2 dual-humbucker guitars so i might swap it out for the single-coil down the road a little.

I got a really fantastic price on it, cheaper than i've seen by a lot. i'm really happy i pulled the trigger.

[ADK Teleman]

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

I love my Hot Rod. I like the 9.5" Radius neck too. But I would rather have the smaller frets...

Have you played them both yet? Have you heard the humbucker?

I want a '52 RI too, but between the 2 I personally like the Hot Rod better. I would say play them both through a good amp and pick the one you like better... because you will probably like both. It is definitely a win/win no matter which one you go with. Even more so if you get one used for like 1/2 retail. They are out there.

Buddy gives good advice...I would add..bring your amp with you and try them both out through it. This way you will know exactly how it sounds!

[boris bubbanov]

See if you can find a leftover 52 Thinskin.

Here's an advert for some leftover 2007? '62 Thinskins.

http://musicmachineguitars.com/1-888...CategoryID=143

If you can find a '52 Thinskin it will have the same radius and fretsize as the HR, but you can avoid the minibucker which is an acquired taste, I would say.

Dave's has this:

http://davesguitar.com/fender/55-thi...-tele-6775.asp

[FenderNic321]

My vote is for the 52 AVRI, to me it is what the telecaster is about, single coil sound. However, I did change to the modern wiring to really open up the pickups and the tone range. I'm glad I did that.

And I do like the 7.25 radius fat neck.....and the neck finish is to my liking as well.

[brokenjoe]

Originally Posted by Guitar Rat

My two cents....

If you have just one Tele, I wouldn't have a bucker in it....that center selector setting just doesn't fly for a Tele sound with it. Get an S-1 selector if you want the 'bucker tone, imo....I don't think old country/rock will really benefit with a neck humbucker though.

Uh.... the Master of the Telecaster would like a word with you:

[danajohnhill]

I'm going to echo Sonny Wolf's comments above. If you like all the other aspects of the Hot Rod except the neck pickup, get it. Then, take off the pickguard and mini-humbucker, put them in a drawer in case you ever change your mind, and install a regular pickguard and single coil neck pickup. You'll spend a little more, but you'll have everything you wanted, and if you ever decide you do want the mini-humbucker you'll be ready to go.