Should I upgrade to a new Telecaster?

[pinkfreud]

Hi all,

For the last few years I own this Telecaster:

http://www.thomann.de/nl/fender_50_c...caster_2ts.htm

I am very happy with it. I like the feel of the neck and I never had any problems with the guitar (except for the typical Tele noise).

The thing is it's still not an American Tele and I am wondering if I am missing something.
I read many posts on this forum and some people say there are serious differences between the American and Mexican Telecasters.

If I would upgrade I will go for this:

http://www.thomann.de/nl/fender_amer...ele_mn_2ts.htm

What are your thoughts about this situiation?

Thanks,
Dan

[TeleKato]

I have (far too) many Teles, and I can tell you that each of them has its own sound and personality. Several are made in America -- AV52RI, American Standard, American Special, and I had a Custom Shop until recently. Several are made in Mexico, including my Baja, a '72 Custom Reissue, and a Classic series Esquire. I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that is not so much that you should consider where it's made to be an "upgrade" ... it is that they each have a personality.

I would vote for you having more than one Tele (not simply trading one for another). You say you like your current Tele, except maybe for the noise; so maybe make your next one feature noiseless pickups so you can see if absence of noise is an improvement, or just another sound you like.

BTW ... the Custom Shop I had was the most expensive Tele I owned and also had great sounds and look; but I did not bond with it. You just never know.

[dreamingtele]

If you really like to have an american std tele or an american made tele, go for it. Even if you're happy with your current guitar but secretly wishing for an american made one, you'll never be contented.. Get what you really want..

I dont own an american made one.. I can only afford a MIM std, but I'm prefectly happy with it. If I have the extra money, I'd like to have an american made tele/strat. But then again, i really cant afford it.

[dog fart]

Do you really want that American Tele or are you giving in to hype? Would you be happy upgrading the pickups in your current Tele or would the grass still be greener on the other side of the border? Your choice on how to procede should be based on honest answers to these questions. Best of luck with your decision

[3 Chord]

Those two guitars have different features. If you like what you have minus the noise I would address the noise issue and keep what you already have (btw, your guitar shouldn't be noisy). Just because one guitar is made in America does not mean it will fit you better.

Although in my experience, features aside, the USA Teles are finished the nicest imo. Are they better is up to the person plunking the money down.

[Dan German]

Originally Posted by pinkfreud

I am very happy with it. I like the feel of the neck and I never had any problems with the guitar...

Based on that statement, I would say don't upgrade unless you play a guitar (regardless of country of origin) that is an obvious and clear improvement on what you have.

[qblue]

I wouldn't upgrade unless the upgrade was substantially different. I would be looking for a humbucker neck or P-90 equipped guitar and keep the MIM, because I liked it. You always seem to regret losing a friend.

[mohair_chair]

As far as I can tell, the biggest differences between those two guitars is where they are made and the pickups. You can't change where your guitar was made, but you can change the pickups. That would probably be a cheaper solution. Plus, if you don't like it, you can always go back.

[purpletele]

In my opinion, the 50's classic is one of the nicest telecasters Fender makes. There really is no need to upgrade, the quality of the parts are on par with American Fenders. Many don't like the sound of the bridge pickups. That's an easy upgrade. many DO like the bridge pickup. They definitely twang!

If you like the way it feels then you're just falling for the hype. Will you get a good guitar if you buy an American Fender, yes most likely. It will still need fret/nut work. Will you get an awesome guitar from the Custom Shop, definitely, but it may not be the one that suits you the best. Are MIM's not as nice, heck no! Should you never buy an American Fender, Custom Shop, or Custom Builder tele, nope. Get what fits you best, regardless of where it's made. Most production guitars need setups, fret and nut work done. That's just the nature of mass producing things.


I own a MIM 69 RI that is one of my favorite guitars ever. I changed the pickups to fit my preferences, set the thing up, dressed the frets, filed the nut and put on a set of compensated saddles. I have an American Standard (the purple one that my username is derived from) that I changed the bridge pickup, set up, filed the nut, and dressed the frets and screwed the neck pickup directly to the body. I have a Ron Kirn that has gone untouched.

Every one is a great guitar that's get played equally. When I pick them up, I don't think about their country of origin. I think about what guitar works best for the song I'm about to play.

[Frank B]

Are you looking to upgrade on specs you already like or for a change ?
There are so many differences between those two to a point where, in my humble opinion, the swap to an am. std tele wouldn't be a mere upgrade but rather a swap to a different tele concept altogether.

50's bridge is an ashtray w/ 3 saddles vs modern 6 saddle forged saddles
50's pups crisper vs am std pups more linear
50's neck is a 7.25 "C" w/ vintage frets vs a 9.5 modern "C" w/ med jumbo frets
...the list goes on.

If you like what makes your 50's classic special, you will lose those specs on an am. std, you will however most likely benefit from nicer neck edges, cleaner fit & finish, better electronics, better tuners.

If I was to "upgrade" from a 50's classic while still retaining that 50's "feel" and not having the impression that I went a different route, I would lean more towards a AVRI 52, an AVRI 62 or even a AVRI 69 thinline would do the trick. You can always mod your 50's classic by upgrading on features you already like like brass saddles, pots, pups, tuners. It wouldn't cost you as much as buying a new guitar.

['56Teleman]

You already have a very nice guitar, don't trade it away for a maybe. If I were in your shoes I'd keep the Classic 50's, you're comfortable with it and like how it plays.

If you want a change how about new pickups?

[telex76]

Classic 50's is a fine guitar, if you want to upgrade just put in some better pickups.

If you like your Classic 50's you might not like the American Standard, as it has completely different specs, and a slim "C" profile neck.

If you just really feel the need for American made the AV52ri is the closest to your Classic 50's.

[Controller]

Satisfy your curiosity, get an American Tele.

[doruondun]

I have a white blonde classic '50s Tele, and it's definitely a keeper! I think you should keep it too if you are comfortable with it. You can shield the cavities to reduce the noise if you want...

Save your money and buy another tele if you want. But do you know that more than half of the workers at US Fender Factory are Mexican fellas :)

[Tommy Biggs]

One suggestion (I don't think it would be bad to get another Tele) is to upgrade to noiseless pickups. I like these which I find to be very Tele sounding, but very quiet. There are many more pure tele sounding pickups, but I thought these were a good blend.

Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack® Tele (lead & rhythm) STK-T3b & STK-T1n
http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...ntage_stack_f/

I encourage you to do some research to see what others think. These may be easier to get in the Netherlands. The neck pickup is very good.

[surfoverb]

I have a Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, and American Tele and they're all about equal as far as quality. Main difference is the price.

[pinkfreud]

Hey guys,

I really really appreciate your quick feedback!

I think I'm going to keep my current Telecaster and probably in the near future I will experiment with some new pickups.

When I will feel that the guitar will become limiting, then I will go for a new guitar (a Tele or whatever it might be).

Thank you for pointing out the differences between the 2 guitars and for your advices!

[mickmac]

Have two!

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by Tommy Biggs

Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack® Tele (lead & rhythm) STK-T3b & STK-T1n
http://www.seymourduncan.com/product...ntage_stack_f/

These are very, very good. I have them in my AV52RI (to get rid of the buzz). I highly recommend them if you're going the new pickup route.

Oh ... and ground your bridge. Run a wire through the routing, solder it on the vol pot with the rest of the grounds, and then simply "smoosch" (there's a good technical word) it under the bridge between it and the wood. I tried to solder it ... that was a waste of heat and time. :-) That helped quiet things down a lot and if you look most of the Seymour Duncan wiring diagrams suggest that (subtly ... you have to look carefully to see it listed).

[Old Cane]

With guitars there really is no "upgrade" once you get past the student models that just won't stay in tune. One is not neccessarily better than another. They are only different. If you want one, get one. It's really that simple. You don't need a reason.