Telecaster suggestions...

[jdizzle1000]

Hey, I'm new to the forum and glad to be here.

I am on quite a tight budget, and I can only afford either a Squier Affinity Tele ($170), or a Squier Standard Tele ($200). I am looking to get the most authentic/classic/similar to the *orginal* (1950's) Fender Telecaster as possible.

The Affinity Tele has an Alder body and maple neck and fretboard like the original, but it is thinner/lighter. I would probably upgrade the pickups.

The Standard Tele is full thickness and weight of the original, but the body is Agathis and the fretboard is Rosewood (Agathis and Rosewood are not original Tele style). The Standard also has better Alnico pickups than the Affinity.

So it's between original woods but unofficial thickness/weight, or unoriginal woods but correct thickness and weight. By the way, I don't know if the original woods would sound original if the size and weight is different.

Given the info above (and what you already know), what do you guys suggest I get?

Thanks! And sorry for the long ramble...

-Jason-

[SugarJ]

Look into the Saga Telecaster kit.

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/pro...?keyword=tc-10

[jdizzle1000]

I'm a little too nervous to build my own guitar, because I'm not sure that it would sound right...

Bye the way, what do you guys think is the most classic color: blonde or sunburst?

-Jason-

[Ericwest53]

I sure like my Affinity. I put a nicer pickguard on it, Schaller tuners I made a deal for, though the originals seemed good enough, and I put an input jack cup on it (with good stout epoxy). The neck setup feels as good as the "real" guitar players' Teles that I play with as a pedal steel player, and I really like the "not overwound" pickups. They are actually a shade "hotter" than one of my guitar players' Bardens..

I play a couple other Squiers that I bought cheaper, my Squier Strat, and the "'51" Hermaphrocaster, but I like it the best. Also brought it to a local luthier for fine tuning the setup I did, and was told it was fine.

My vote's for butterscotch.

:)

EJL

[Mike Rice]

What I mean is, must it be a Fender? Don't get me wrong, all but one of my Teles are Fenders. But in your price range I believe there are better guitars. I recently sold a Schecter PT Vintage Natural Ash with hardshell case for a bit more, but the alder model without case can be had for about 2 bills used. It needs absolutely nothing. You'll have to like a skinny neck and flat (14") fretboard, but what a guitar.

I've also played a Dilion (sp?) that kind impressed me, though I'm not certain what these fetch used. The Jay Turser guitars are another alternative. Most of these "off brands" just don't hold their value like a Fender, so used they can be a real steal.

I've seen MIM Standard Teles sell for $250 used. Why not save for a few extra months if need be and find one of these. Nothing against the Squiers, but the Std Tele is another that's likely to suit you as you buy it and you'll probably never lose a penny on it if you buy one used and take care of it.

Let us know what you decide and how you make out.

[sudancat]

I,ll say this about the Affinity, For the $,they are incredible. Last week, this band we go see occasionally,was playing close to home.The lead guitar player plays nothing but Custom Shop strats. When we walked in I spotted what I thought was a 52RI Butterscotch Blonde on stage.He was playing an acoustic at the time,next song he picked up the butterscotch and began playing,awesome as usuall. Upon further inspection,it was the Squier Affinity Butterscotch Blonde. After the show I asked him about the Squier, his reply was I played it at the store,for the money I couldnt walk away from it and the only thing i've done to it is had a new nut installed and a setup ,everything else is just like it came from the Factory.....I've been looking at them lately myself,told the wife this would be a good one for our son,hehehe!!

Hey Ole Fuzzy got him one too.....enough said

[jdizzle1000]

Honeslty, I would kind of like something made by Fender/Squier, because since they made the original, the subsequent editions are more likely to sound the same than other brands. Does anybody know the dimentions of the Affinity Tele body (thickness) and the Squier Standard Tele thickness? Also, does anybody know the weight difference between the two? THANKS!!!

[0le FUZZY]

I say go with the Squire Affinity scudder Botch.

For the price yew kant go wrong.

Nevermind about the wood nor the finish. IMHO this iss all hype. Sum old wons sound bad and felt terrible even with the propers.

Be sure and play won at yer local dealer and watch out fer that jack plate!! Its made of plastic and will break iffin yew hit it rong. I know cause Mark's son's jes did it on his (which I wreck-O-mended) whence the cord got caught around hiss amp.

I don't think yew will be sorry and of course yew kin dew changes except fer adding a liddo wood tew make it thicker.

OH and BTW iffin yer worried about thickness of that body sumtime git a holt of a real 62 Custom and measure the thickness and lettus noe watt chew cee.

Udder nat go with watt ceemz good tew yew.




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[jdizzle1000]

Thanks! The Affininty Tele sounds great for the price, and I plan on buying one ASAP.