72 Tele Deluxe vs. 72 Tele Thinline... your thoughts?

[blackkeysfan]

So i just got done modding my MIM 50's Classic and i think that i have come to a conlusion....
It might not be the right guitar for me.
I still find my taste/style leaning more toward something with humbuckers. I tried adding a double rail pickup to the bridge position in my Tele and it sounds great but i don't know if i'm convinced. The other thing i'm nit sure about is the 7.25 neck radius. I like the feel of a 9.5 better.

Anyway, i have found myself looking hard at the 72 Thinline and 72 Deluxe. (Reissues) I have played both of them but unfortunately not back to back so it was hard to get a good comparison. Things that stood out to me:

72 Thinline- Amazing tone, the pups are higher output than what i have now, the neck felt great even though it has the same radius as the MIM 50's Classic... does this make sense?

72 Deluxe- definitely felt the difference in the 12" radius; great sound, maybe not as much tone as the Thinline...

So what are your thoughts? I am looking for something with humbuckers and a flatter feeling neck than what i have on my Classic 50's. I am open to other suggestions as well... i.e. Fat Tele, Gibson SG (i know it's blasphemy but i can't help it!)

[Blazer]

I'd go for the deluxe because I am a strat man and the Deluxe has a strat neck so I'd feel at home on that one.

OTOH. If you prefer the feel of a tele go for the thinline, it has the same control set up as a regular tele so that will be an easy switch since the feel and controls are already where you are used to having them.

as for alternatives.


The Gibson Firebird Studio is an amazing guitar, it covers all grounds and looks killer.

Or if you want to spend less money and still get a killer guitar...

The Epiphone Bob Marley signature model. Now this is still an unbelievable bargain, you'll get a geniune mahogany body and neck, Gibson USA humbuckers and Grover Tuners. I had one of these and it was my regular gigging guitar in my last band, I eventually sold it because I never got used to the colored blocks and Bob Marley's face.

[BB]

While both are great guitars, for me it would be a no brainer. The thin-line would win...but, you have to chose!

I agree, the neck on the thin-lines feels different....a good different....at least the several RI's I've played.

I've owned a few original 72 thinlines, so I'm partial to them. My buddy had an early deluxe...while it was a very nice guitar, I never felt comfortable with it. Of course, I didn't have to...it was his!

At least you have narrowed it down to two. Keep trying them out till you find the one that speaks to you. You'll know it when it happens.

[fungusyoung]

Originally Posted by blackkeysfan

Anyway, i have found myself looking hard at the 72 Thinline and 72 Deluxe. (Reissues) I have played both of them but unfortunately not back to back so it was hard to get a good comparison. Things that stood out to me:

72 Thinline- Amazing tone, the pups are higher output than what i have now, the neck felt great even though it has the same radius as the MIM 50's Classic... does this make sense?

72 Deluxe- definitely felt the difference in the 12" radius; great sound, maybe not as much tone as the Thinline...

So what are your thoughts? I am looking for something with humbuckers and a flatter feeling neck than what i have on my Classic 50's. I am open to other suggestions as well... i.e. Fat Tele, Gibson SG (i know it's blasphemy but i can't help it!)

I wanted a Deluxe RI bad. It just hasn't happened. On my way, I was wooed by everyone here that said great things about the CIJ Thinlines, so I bought a 72 RI from Ishibashi and I haven't looked back. It is everything I was looking for and more. And you are right about the radius- I was a little concerned about it, but not after I played a few of them & then got mine. Wow.

Then I later looked very seriously at the Deluxe again (we even had a poll where folks suggested either the Deluxe, Highway 1 or another CIJ special edition Thinline) a short while ago. I could never find the right Deluxe. They were all black, and I wanted either walnut or sunburst. I love how they play though, but just didn't want another black guitar. I ended up with a Highway 1 because I thought that was the best option to expand my arsenal's range of tones. And again... I couldn't be more pleased.

If you really dug the tone of the Thinline vs. the Deluxe, I'd suggest that is your answer, but I'd echo the sentiments of others to keep playing a few of each. You'll know. And there's no wrong choice, they are both great guitars. I have a few thoughts on alternatives, but I don't want to muddy the waters for you because I think you're already on the right track.

Good luck, and report back after you buy.

[blackkeysfan]

Thanks to everyone for the input so far! I think the Firebird is a little out of my price range but i agree they are nice.

As for the CIJ Thinlines... I have only played one of the MIM Thinlines (at least i think it was). Is there a noticable difference between the MIM and CIJ? Also, do you remember how much it ended up being when you ordered from Ishibashi? I know everyone has had great experiences with them but i'm a little nervous that i won't like something about it when i get it. I bought my MIM 50's classic from a fellow TDPRI member and it wasn't till i got it that i realized that i wasn't crazy about the neck.

And by the way everyone... go ahead and give me the other recommendations! It can't hurt for me to keep an open mind about this.

[teleduster]

Originally Posted by blackkeysfan

So i just got done modding my MIM 50's Classic and i think that i have come to a conlusion....
It might not be the right guitar for me.
I still find my taste/style leaning more toward something with humbuckers. I tried adding a double rail pickup to the bridge position in my Tele and it sounds great but i don't know if i'm convinced. The other thing i'm nit sure about is the 7.25 neck radius. I like the feel of a 9.5 better.

Anyway, i have found myself looking hard at the 72 Thinline and 72 Deluxe. (Reissues) I have played both of them but unfortunately not back to back so it was hard to get a good comparison. Things that stood out to me:

72 Thinline- Amazing tone, the pups are higher output than what i have now, the neck felt great even though it has the same radius as the MIM 50's Classic... does this make sense?

72 Deluxe- definitely felt the difference in the 12" radius; great sound, maybe not as much tone as the Thinline...)

It seems you answered your own question.

[blackkeysfan]

Originally Posted by teleduster

It seems you answered your own question.

Yeah, i know it sounds like that but i am definitely still up in the air about it. I'm worried that the neck on the Thinline is going to be too similar to the neck on my 50's Classic. My fingers feel really cramped on my 50's so i thought getting a flatter radius would help that. The tone of the Thinline i can't deny... but i'm not sold on the neck.

Does anyone out there own a 72 Thinline and a MIM 50's Classic? Are the necks similar?

[fungusyoung]

Originally Posted by blackkeysfan

As for the CIJ Thinlines... I have only played one of the MIM Thinlines (at least i think it was). Is there a noticable difference between the MIM and CIJ? Also, do you remember how much it ended up being when you ordered from Ishibashi? I know everyone has had great experiences with them but i'm a little nervous that i won't like something about it when i get it. I bought my MIM 50's classic from a fellow TDPRI member and it wasn't till i got it that i realized that i wasn't crazy about the neck.

I'd have to defer to somebody else that has played the MIM 72 Thinline RI more than I have. I had picked a couple up & tested them out quite a long time ago, but I don't think I loved any of them as much as my CIJ. Though I'm biased now & have hundreds of hours of playing time on the CIJ at this point.

I just sent you a looooong PM. Basically, I think if you're concerned at all about the Thinline radius, the Deluxe is a no-lose decision. That said, play a bunch & see what they do for you. Take your time. It'll come to you & you will know when it's right to buy. No need to make any rushed decisions.

Good luck!