Tell Me Your Side - Is One Tele Enough?

[ian_45]

Hey guys,

I've been looking around to get another guitar as a backup to my 52' AVRI. Sort of been browsing for another tele. I've seen loads of threads about "How Many Teles Do You Have?"/"How Many Teles Are Enough?", you get the point.

I was at a local guitar shop with my friend trying out some teles, then he asked something along the lines of 'what's the point of having another tele?'

I didn't think much of it but after playing many different models (thinline, blacktop, 62' telebration) they all had very similar tones. After giving it some thought, I felt that if I get another tele it would be money wasted for something that's not really practical, like buying the same shoes in a different colour. I know some of you will come from the point of 'how great they are, may as well have more than one' and I respect that opinion, different strokes for different folks (I think that's the saying )

My point after this rant being, why not buy another guitar that can give you a much different sound and open more tonal possibilities rather than loading up on 5 or 12 or 23 (I've read things ) telecasters?

Also, no hate for the Telecaster, I absolutely love mine

[BackNtheSaddle]

I think you start with a Telecaster, a Les Paul and a good acoustic guitar.

Once you have the "big-3", then you are free to explore, including duplicates of any.

But, that's just my opinion. I know many people who have just a lot of Tele's, other people with only LP's and still more people, who have a great eclectic collection of many guitars.

[Scotty 2]

Is one Tele enough? For me yes,,although I have two But I work with Am Std Tele,
Peavey T-60,an Ibanez AS-73 and Blueridge B-140 acoustic.I do good with those.
To me,it's about making money,,not GAS.

[telex76]

Always need a strat. I have 6 teles and 2 strats, I think that's about the proper ratio.

[drb1346]

Every Telecaster has its own character. I own 4, all are different from one another, although the body is the same. . . . . .

[Cameage]

You can never have enough guitars.

Personally, I think I'd rather go for variety, though, just to make GAS easier on the wallet (harder to afford the offsets and Les Pauls if I buy six Telecasters in the meantime).

[pondcaster]

Originally Posted by drb1346

Every Telecaster has its own character. I own 4, all are different from one another, although the body is the same. . . . . .

This pretty much sums up how I feel about it. Each one of mine is so different, for the most part, that it's hard to part with any of them...!

[PinewoodRo]

Each to their own I'd say. I have two teles and two strats plus a couple of oddities and I love 'em all. Can't get on with Les Pauls though....

[Crawz]

I guess I just find it an impressively flexible and suitable platform. Maybe more than the way you perceived it to be that day in trying out these different ones you had. Even if it was just considering a neck humbucker vs. a neck single coil. --> Very different in sound and function to me. -Yet still... each offering all those basic things I fully appreciate in a Tele style instrument. If we just made it between two Teles with different neck and body woods. -Again <to me> it's still justified... (and not so indulgent) to have a couple. I know I'll remain comfortable and feel at home with what's always worked well for me about them.

[Ryan0594]

The different models of Telecaster vary so much that it is just the same as buying another brand of guitar really! A 50s RI isn't very similar to a Thinline or Deluxe '72, is it? :')

Having said that though I'd sooner take a Rickenbacker or a Gretsch over another Telecaster -- even though my first point is true, it still wouldn't feel like having a new guitar really -- I'd want something completely different!

[t-ray]

Originally Posted by drb1346

Every Telecaster has its own character. I own 4, all are different from one another, although the body is the same. . . . . .

+1

[PinewoodRo]

I have to confess, I only got the second Tele cos I already had a Strat. Then I had to get a spare Strat naturally. Then I thought it would be great to have a Flying V.... (I'm sure you can see where this is going)

[Blkteledog]

Ummm ... Since I have a "Noa's ark" approach ......
Just got a new Tele , for the third time , and yes ,
I ..... Want MORE .... ;~}

[Joe Baggadonitz]

I have a tele, a strat and several Gibson guitars. I love them all and I'm satisfied with what got... for now.

[ian_45]

What you guys are saying about character is understandable to a point, "character" can only go so far through a style instrument I already own vs. a totally different style guitar though. A tele, all in all, is still a tele.

[Ryan0594]

Originally Posted by ian_45

What you guys are saying about character is understandable to a point, "character" can only go so far through a style instrument I already own vs. a totally different style guitar though. A tele, all in all, is still a tele.

I wouldn't agree with that! I think in the respect of tonality and playability there is sometimes more variation than buying a completely different brand. The Tele-Sonic, for instance, may LOOK like a standard Telecaster but it has a differently scale length and humbuckers - making it extremely different! More like a Gibson in some respects, almost!

[black_doug]

I own only one but I had to get two before this to figure out which one is a keeper.

[Controller]

It took me so long to discover the Telecaster, that I hate to waste time playing other guitars!

I just get disappointed playing the others, sold my Strat and SG and have three Teles left.

[adjason]

I agree with the OP to a point.....my problem is that I love the tele and when I come across one that seems like a good deal I seem to have to buy it.

[TeleKato]

I have 11 ... one coming, one in mind, and maybe another. There is always another ...

Allow me to sort of paraphrase Sheik Ilderim, from the movie 'Ben Hur' ... the scene in his tent, with Judah, discussing having multiple wives. Let's apply it to Teles (for my opinion in any event):

One God, that I can understand; but one Tele? That is not civilized. It is not generous!