IMPORTANT TELE DECISION..and I need your help!!

[Andy Summers]

Ok...I recently picked up the 2012 Am. Tele.and I love it...however..a local store has a killer deal on a Nashville B Bender!! However, its been there for 3 years..hence the deal.
I know the choice is mine..but help me decide if I should return 2012 and buy a new, 3 year old B Bender. And whats up with poplar as a body wood?? This is my main concern...bring it!! :) and thank you!

[TG]

You have a guitar you like....and a guitar that spends 3 years on the wall doesn't sound like a serious contender.
But what really counts is what you think about it so go give it a noodle. Just in case.

Nuthin' wrong with poplar. It hold the pickups up just fine.

[stnmtthw]

Play em both. Take the Am Standard with you so you can do a side by side comparison. Put them through the same amp, same settings, back to back.

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by stnmtthw

Play em both. Take the Am Standard with you so you can do a side by side comparison. Put them through the same amp, same settings, back to back.

+1

And depending upon the deal ... see if you can manage to swing to buy 'em both. I know I say that on every one of these posts ... hey, I realize I've got disposable income most don't ... but life's short. More Teles.

Failing that ... you'll be able to buy a 2012 AmStd for a good while. You can go back later and get one.

[Andy Summers]

Thanks guys...great points and ideas!! The sound and feel are number 1 of course..and I have played i and it plays fine.but I will A/B them..as for pros of each on paper..heres what Ive got:

Pros - 2012
New
Better bridge pickup (I like the neck pickup too, but either is fine here)
I know Alder is a good tone wood ( not sure about poplar of the B)

Cons
I dont mind the belly cut..but if had to choose, Id pick the non belly cut

B Bender Pros
Still good pickups plus Strat pu
5 way switch..not sure this is a pro..but it does ofer more tone options
B bender functionality

Cons
Not brand new ( more like new old stock)
Uncertain of poplar
No bridge/ neck pu combo..I think??

I dont know..kind of a stupid list..but..just "thinking" ut loud..

[nickd]

I'd go for the AM std, better choice in years to come.

[backporchmusic]

I had a USA B Bender a few years back, and it seemed to me to be more of a specific use tool rather than an all around guitar. If it were my only tele, I'd probably go with the Am Standard. My two cents.

[BackNtheSaddle]

Originally Posted by backporchmusic

I had a USA B Bender a few years back, and it seemed to me to be more of a specific use tool rather than an all around guitar. If it were my only tele, I'd probably go with the Am Standard. My two cents.

^^ I have to agree with this!!! ^^

Andy, we went round a bit when we both were deciding on what to get. You know how my story ended (I'm keeping the 60th, BTW). I remember you telling how much you loved the sound, feel and overall mojo of your AS. Belly cut, notwithstanding. Hell - You could even swap for an '11 AS, if you want to ditch that and still keep with AS.

IMO, I see more downside in the BB, than the AS. But, that's just my thinking. Go play it, though. Take your AS, as advised - so you can hear/feel side-by-side.

Don't get twisted up in the Poplar vs. Ash vs. Alder thing. You'll lose your mind and there is NO right answer.

The right answer is what is feels & sounds best to you.

[Roku]

I'd stay with the American Std. Love mine, so much so I sold my mim/allpartscaster and my black top to get a Gibby (Les Paul). Could just get a Hipshot too, a lot more people play amer stds than amer b benders out in tele land. Might get tired of the bender

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by BackNtheSaddle

^^ I have to agree with this!!! ^^

Andy, we went round a bit when we both were deciding on what to get. You know how my story ended (I'm keeping the 60th, BTW). I remember you telling how much you loved the sound, feel and overall mojo of your AS. Belly cut, notwithstanding. Hell - You could even swap for an '11 AS, if you want to ditch that and still keep with AS.

IMO, I see more downside in the BB, than the AS. But, that's just my thinking. Go play it, though. Take your AS, as advised - so you can hear/feel side-by-side.

Don't get twisted up in the Poplar vs. Ash vs. Alder thing. You'll lose your mind and there is NO right answer.

The right answer is what is feels & sounds best to you.

Thank you backnthesaddle..I definitelu love the AS and dont want to get rid of it at all..just kinda taken with that deal on the BB..I will try them side by side...but the popular opinion here is stay with the AS..and I value the opinion of everyone here a great deal..and these opinions play a big part in many of tele related "dilemmas"

So..all your opinions have not been wasted on me...thank you all...

[jklotz]

I'd love to have a BB one day, but they are heavy! I wouldn't trade my highway 1 for it though. I see them more as a novelty, whereas an amer standard, delux, etc is bread and butter. That's my humble opinion.

[Hiker]

Originally Posted by backporchmusic

I had a USA B Bender a few years back, and it seemed to me to be more of a specific use tool rather than an all around guitar. If it were my only tele, I'd probably go with the Am Standard. My two cents.

It's time for you to bond with the 2012 Tele. Keep it forever!

[Mur]

The "three years" has nothing to do with anything. As for the bender, you either are obsessed and *have to* have one, or not. They are an odd thing that way. As for other stuff . .what the others said ...play 'em both side by side and see if one beats out the other.

[mulic3]

I'd keep the 2012.

[stnmtthw]

[QUOTE=TeleKato;4118335]+1

And depending upon the deal ... see if you can manage to swing to buy 'em both. I know I say that on every one of these posts ... hey, I realize I've got disposable income most don't ... but life's short. More Teles.

This. You can never have too many guitars. My wife would disagree and I'm a little drunk. But still.

[Cymro14]

I have a Baja now but my aim is to upgrade to a AM Std some day or even a 52 ARI.

Stay with the Am Std!!!!!

[drb1346]

American Standard

[Andy Summers]

Oh crap...my friend just called me up and said they just got in two Empress Telecasters last night...arghhhh!! Why cant i ever just be happy with what Ive got and move on. Now Im going to have to try this out too!!! I wish I had the cash for both..or all..but I dont. Any takes on the Empress out there? He said it is "obscenely light"..

Oh...and he said they have a sunburst and white...I LOVE white guitars and have had GAS for a nice white Tele for a long time.

[Andy Summers]

Thank you everyone for your input!! I take it to heart!

To see the outcome, go here: :)

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...belly-cut.html

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by Cymro14

I have a Baja now but my aim is to upgrade to a AM Std some day or even a 52 ARI.

Stay with the Am Std!!!!!

BTW, Cymro...A Baja is fine on its own..no need to "upgrade"