Buying a Thinline - need your help

[fpst]

Hello everyone, I'm about to become a tele owner! I've only owned Gibsons and Epiphones (with the exception of my first squier strat). Here's what happened: I was at a local guitar store, looking for a semi-hollow, and just happened to pick up a 72 Thinline re-issue and fell in love! So I came home and started researching. I now want to A/B a 69 and 72, but the guitar store doesn't have a 69 in stock. I was hoping you could help. What are the main differences between the 69 and 72 (other than the pickups)? I just read somewhere that the 69 is lighter, is this true? Also, what are the differences between their necks? I have small hands, so smaller necks are better for me. I tried looking all this up in the forum, but I wasn't really finding what I was looking for (and there's a lot to wade through). So I thank you for any input and advice.

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by fpst

Also, what are the differences between their necks? I have small hands, so smaller necks are better for me.

Both have 1-piece maple, 7.25" radius necks, but:
69 = U shape
72 = C shape

[indiobravo]

for me it was all about the bridge pup. i went for the classic setup

[johnnylaw]

To each his own...

I prefer the "U" to the "C" shape. And, single coils to humbuckers. I also think the pickguard is prettier on the '69. ALL this is personal however, and you really need to play each (preferably through the same decent tube amp).

Both are great sounding and playing guitars, though I've experienced a few with rather rough set-ups (raw frets and such) from the factory. The single coils are "twangier" and "poinkier" sounding; the 'buckers feature more girth and grind, but clean up surprisingly well with a volume rollback.

Weights also vary widely within each model, so, shop around.

I know that may be easier said than done, but guitars ain't cheap.

For the sake of being pragmatic, if you LOVED the '72, you'd probably be OK to buy it.

Oh, and Thinlines RULE!

[mellecaster]

The 69RI Thinline has a fairly Chunky neck....but keep in mind that many w/ smaller hands actually prefer Larger necks...YMMV

[Casual_Reader]

Originally Posted by fpst

I just read somewhere that the 69 is lighter, is this true?

if you google both bodies, you'll see that the 72 is solid around the control area... the 69 isn't. Though an ash version of the 69 is available, most have mahogany backs.

[shandraster]

I own a '72 RI, and I love it. Weight is great - not too heavy. Sounds amazing - love the humbuckers. And the neck is perfect. I don't have that small of hands, but a friend of mine who does played it and she loved the size, as do I. And it's also a beautiful guitar. (I replaced the pearl pickguard with a black one, and it still looks killer.) I haven't tried the '69, but I know you won't be disappointed with the '72. And if you've already tried it out, then buying it won't be a mistake. I say go for it. :)

[tcarp]

I'm diggin' my '69 RI...swapped a Hwy1 straight up for it early this year.

I like the '72's, but the three examples I sampled at the same local local GC a few months ago had gnarly fret work....ends stuck out over the fingerboard and it felt like I was putting my hand into a bag of nails. I can't say this is true of all 72's but it sure was a turn-off. I was very surprised.

The '72's are very cool though.

Tom

[drock2k1]

I bought a 72 classic player recently and love it. I am still trying to figure out which pots to swap for 500's, can't find anything on weather or not I should switch out the volume or tone knobs. Regardless, the 72 sounds so different than my standard it fits perfectly. I did not want a lot of twang as I can already get that from my other Tele. This bad boy has some serious bite.

Oh and the frets on mine are perfect, no nails here!!

[Thin69]

Hi,

To me the choice of pickups would be much more important than the neck style.

Is there another store in Denver where you could play them both?

I know you're probably impatient like me when I get the hots for a guitar.

Good luck and Enjoy, It's All Good!!

[Big Blue]

I just picked up a used "69" 2000 in near mint cond. The neck is chunky as said. The thing plays great but just barely roll off the volume and you lose a lot of treble The tone control doesnt have much effect till the last bit of roll off then it too
"jumps" to the extreme. I love the guitar but the controls are a bit "different" on my 69 Thinline with single coils