Best Tele under $800 ??

[TeleKato]

FWIW, I've gotten really 'meh' on noiseless pickups. Guess I'm going vintage in my (own) vintage. So I'd not go that way.

I'm going to +1 the partscaster idea for $800. But I have grown to like futzing with guitars (i.e., playing the role Dr. Frankenstein tonight will be Kato) and as I look over the sea of them growing in my rumpus room, I have a lot of partscasters. $800 will buy you some juicy stuff, relic, pretty, or otherwise.

[73Fender]

Originally Posted by pepvol

Ok I see it now , I hate Jumbo frets though , if it was the white one I'd probably still get it though , I'm bookmarking that site , that's $200 less than Sweetwater is selling it .... I may change my mind yet

Hellomusic has good deals. The jumbos are not for me, I can do vintage, I can do med jumbo but I hit my own limit with the jumbos.

If you can go used, (CL etc) for $800 and less you can find lots of nice Teles, takes some patience and persistence though and weeding through the crap. I just scored a basically new Am Standard and even with a proper pro set up, it was cheap. My first modern Tele.

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by scantron81

'60s Classic Series. Beautiful Rosewood fretboard, 1.65 nut, alder body, maple neck, mint pick guard, great sounding stock pickups. Three color options: Candy Apple Red, Black, Olympic White.

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0131600305

+1 if you like rosewood fretboards

[muronero]

baja, 50 classic, 60 classic, squier cv 50, squier cv thinline.

[vintageNut]

I had the american special for about 4 months. I loved it at first but not the pickups. So i swapped them out for nocasters and it helped a lot. 3 months later though, i was still not in love with it so i sold it and bought a 50's road worn tele and i still love it to this day. i just bought a new guitar mill custom t and could not afford to keep them both so i had to part with the road worn. I really hated doing that but it was my only option. I never really like the baja. i read all the reviews praising it on here and was determined to have one. then i played a few and was not really impressed. it was nice, just not for me. whatever you buy, play it first. the road worn, baja, and american special are very different guitars.

[Telepi]

Originally Posted by pepvol

Thanks a lot Soulman , I've been to 4 different shops in the last 2 days trying to play a Baja , and had no luck , I couldn't believe Guitar Center didn't have one ! I'm definitely leaning towards a Baja , I'd just like to play one first and see how the neck feels .

For some reason, GC stopped carrying Baja's in stores years ago. I bought mine last September and had it shipped to the store. My salesperson was very impressed with it and never understood why they are only available on line. I was nervous about ordering it without playing it first too. But when it arrived, I was glad I did.

If you want something to play and not have to mod and tinker with; the Baja is the one to get.

[TelecasterVR]

Originally Posted by TeleKato

I'm going to +1 the partscaster idea for $800. But I have grown to like futzing with guitars.

Partscasters can be expensive and unpredictable unless you already have an exact formula that you are 100% positive will work (or at least 90%+-).

Pickup and neck preferences can be the most difficult to nail down (as well as being the most expensive). One mistake here and your whole budget goes out the window... unless you're willing to "just live with it".

On the other hand you may not be able to find your perfect guitar on the market, so making your own is certainly an option.

All my Teles can be considered Partscasters in one way or another. I have a 1996 MIM Std Tele that has been continuously modified for the last 16 years. In fact, currently the only original part is the body! I figure I have put at least $1000 into it (including the original purchase price). I absolutely love it now, but it's definitely not worth what I got into it.

What's even worse is that I used all the extra parts to make another Partscaster (this one has a Squier Classic Vibe body - butterscotch), so I can still reminisce with the original "MIM Std sound" when I want to. Fortunately it ended up being cheaper than a new MIM Tele. P.S. I love the color of the CV butterscotch finish and the pine body seems to sound better with the MIM parts (IMHO of course).

Lately I've combined a Fender '52 Reissue Tele body assembly (which includes original pickups, hardware, etc) with a '52 Reissue "Hot Rod" neck - and I absolutely love it too! I actually spent less than what a new '52 reissue would cost since I got the body used on eBay (which was a lucky gamble) but would have no doubt paid a lot more if I'd chosen all new parts. In this case the Hot Rod neck was a "must have" for me (flatter fingerboard & larger frets), so even if it did end up costing me more, I'd still be glad I did what I did.

On the other hand, I have other guitars that are 100% stock; 1999 Fender 50's Reissue Strat, 1998 Fender Toronado, 1999 Fender DG22CE acoustic/electric and 1988 PRS Custom 24. I also have a 1991 Gibson Les Paul Studio (Wine Red) that is mostly original - except I went from nickel to gold hardware when it was time for a facelift (it was quite tarnished at the time) which cost about $300 - but it's nothing short of stunning now!

My point is that you can either (a) get what you really want in the first place, or (b) make something that fits your style -> with the main differences being that (a) will be easier and the price is set and (b) will be more difficult and the price will only be known after all is said and done.

Personally, next time I buy a guitar, I'd rather take a little more time (and maybe spend a little more money) to get the package I really want rather than waste a lot of time pursuing something that may be more of a distraction (to actually playing) than it's worth.

Don't get me wrong; messing around with guitars can be fun and rewarding - but - is that ultimately going to make you a better player?

Good Luck!

[DivadYug]

good used tele am (std, special, deluxe)

[tele12]

I would look into a Highway One while you can still find them.

[GuruAtma]

I've got the same tele the OP described: standard ash w/noiseless pickups.
I'm very happy with it. The pickups work as advertised without adversely affecting the tone. Good stuff.

[jlindseyjr]

I think the Baja would be perfect if it had a 43mm nut.

[mistermullens]

Fender Classic 50s Esquire - $699
Seymour Duncan Broadcaster pup - $50
Compensated Brass Saddles - $25

Out the door, new for $774. Best guitar EVER!

[stilesg57]

Originally Posted by Telepi

For some reason, GC stopped carrying Baja's in stores years ago. I bought mine last September and had it shipped to the store. My salesperson was very impressed with it and never understood why they are only available on line. I was nervous about ordering it without playing it first too. But when it arrived, I was glad I did.

If you want something to play and not have to mod and tinker with; the Baja is the one to get.

If you're going to go new, Baja is the way to go. American Special is about the only other sub-$800 new Fender I'd put in a similar class. Hwy1 too if you don't mind the satin finish.

[pondcaster]

Although the MSRP is $899 (i think?) and the relic'd finish may not be your thing (totally understand), the $600-$750 you would pay for the 1st generation Road Worn Teles make them well worth looking into.

I believe it's got the U neck, my blonde's right at 7lbs, and sounds outstanding. I am also a big fan of the $350 or so for the CV50s or CVCs, at that price you could get both for under $800. Or use the extra $$ toward a nice amp?

But I digress... Road Worn Tele, yeah,... look into it.

[pepvol]

I would probably prefer the Roadworn over the American Special , because the Roadworn has Medium jumbo Frets . Last night when I looked at Hellomusic they had a Black Roadworn Player Tele for $719 ... I can't find it now though . Sweetwater lists at $949.99 . My only concern with the Road worn was not the distressed finish , but the Humbucker . For my first Tele , I have it in my head to get the more traditional Tele setup ... with the Humbucker , does this Tele miss out on the more traditional Tele Twang ?

[pondcaster]

Originally Posted by pepvol

I would probably prefer the Roadworn over the American Special , because the Roadworn has Medium jumbo Frets . Last night when I looked at Hellomusic they had a Black Roadworn Player Tele for $719 ... I can't find it now though . Sweetwater lists at $949.99 . My only concern with the Road worn was not the distressed finish , but the Humbucker . For my first Tele , I have it in my head to get the more traditional Tele setup ... with the Humbucker , does this Tele miss out on the more traditional Tele Twang ?

Go with your instincts on this one, I'd pass on the HB RW. In fact, not a big fan of the current crop of RWs.

If patient, you can find a 1st gen RW (blonde or sunburst) w/ trad pups for anywhere between $550 & $750. Got mine for $649 + free shipping, no regrets.

[Dan German]

Originally Posted by pepvol

My only concern with the Road worn was not the distressed finish , but the Humbucker . For my first Tele , I have it in my head to get the more traditional Tele setup ... with the Humbucker , does this Tele miss out on the more traditional Tele Twang ?

That's the Roadworn Player or 72 Deluxe Telecaster. The Roadworn 50s Telecaster has the traditional pickup arrangement. For the record, I'm not crazy about the RW's looks, but the ones I've tried in stores played and sounded just fine.

[xtrajerry]

Originally Posted by pepvol

I would probably prefer the Roadworn over the American Special , because the Roadworn has Medium jumbo Frets . Last night when I looked at Hellomusic they had a Black Roadworn Player Tele for $719 ... I can't find it now though . Sweetwater lists at $949.99 . My only concern with the Road worn was not the distressed finish , but the Humbucker . For my first Tele , I have it in my head to get the more traditional Tele setup ... with the Humbucker , does this Tele miss out on the more traditional Tele Twang ?

This link will get you to the RW Player http://www.hellomusic.com/ec/Home.aspx?cat=PROMO

If you are using the hellomusic app you don't get access to all the links & specials..

[pepvol]

Thanks xtrajerry , now I'm trying to decide between the Black Roadworn for $719 , or the Black Baja for $799 ... decisions decisions , lol

[GigsbyBoyUK]

Forget about a few bucks here and there. Play the guitars and choose one you really enjoy playing. If possible, play a few of the same model. There will be one you REALLY like. Buy it.

I over-payed for my last acoustic really but in the end it don't mean a thing. I played 30 in two shops and chose the one I loved best. I still love it and I'll keep it forever. That's more important than shopping around trying to save a few bucks.