The telecaster being a very "deep" instrument

ravelle · June 29th, 2006, 02:22 AM

1)I just felt that telecasters are very "deep" guitars and than it takes a lot of understanding and appreciation ( like art ) to play it and that to some extent , its an acquired taste ( at least for here in singapore ).

2)Just an observation that lotsa emo , indie (death cab for cutie ), soundscape , post rock bands use teles and make so much landscapes and textured paintings with delay. Its like , its a common ground where every tele player understands one another and that they have shared similar experiences and feelings in life .

Do you guys feel that same way about teles being deep?

Soupbone · June 29th, 2006, 02:32 AM

Its a slab of wood with strings on it to me. I just like the way it sounds when I snap, pop and bend the strings.

Pete Galati · June 29th, 2006, 03:29 AM

You can experience what a musical instrument has to offer on enough different levels that it could mean something different to each person. That doesn't make the Tele itself deep.

trag-o-caster · June 29th, 2006, 04:24 AM

It's very much a blue collar instrument. A workmans tool. Not something to be too careful with and over-protect. More like something that you'd slam against a brick wall to knock the snow off of after arriving caseless to a session during a blizzard.

THAT'S a Telecaster.

Stefan · June 29th, 2006, 04:44 AM

I would say an Ibanez, ESP or some other guitar with Floyd Rose systems and s*h*i*t*, is a deep guitar... I can´t figure em´out and I sure can´t play em´either!!! The Telecaster makes sense...

crawdad · June 29th, 2006, 05:28 AM

It is deep, in the sense that it is a blank canvas. You can take it in a hundred different directions and make something magical. All the various Tele players over time have proved it. There is still stuff in the Tele that no one has excavated. Endless potential. Yeah, deep in that regard.

maestrovert · June 29th, 2006, 07:11 AM

i agree with Crawdad's post above.....
Players such as Ted Greene, Roy Buchanan & Danny Gatton (to name only 3) have proven this to be true, time and time again....

There are depths of expression and tone the Tele is capable of that other guitar makes/models can't even begin to approach.....
Now to find your depths of expression and tone Ravelle....your Tele is the perfect tool, dig in ! ;-)

riggergreg · June 29th, 2006, 08:54 AM

Now this one really is "DEEP"

68tele · June 29th, 2006, 10:23 AM

I think the main reason that you see lotsa emo/indie usage of telecasters is 'indie-cred': as with thick black framed glasses and ironic tee-shirts, it lets everyone know that you are 'cool'

and 'relevant'

.

ravelle · June 29th, 2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68tele

I think the main reason that you see lotsa emo/indie usage of telecasters is 'indie-cred': as with thick black framed glasses and ironic tee-shirts, it lets everyone know that you are 'cool'

and 'relevant'

.

not in a material sense actually but musically. I think its because the tele has the FULL neck pup sound that goes super well with delay..like bread and butter.

SteveY · June 29th, 2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravelle

...use teles and make so much landscapes and textured paintings with delay. Its like , its a common ground where every tele player understands one another and that they have shared similar experiences and feelings in life .

Do you guys feel that same way...?

Welp,
A Tele is like a big splash of orange in your landscape, but I see what you're saying.
And yes, I feel a certain affinity with my local friends who gig Tele's consistently. It's like a secret Masonic handshake. WE get it, even if others are still learning...

Deep like a well I guess, if you run out of ideas and can't reach the water there's always more rope with a Tele: just put on that bridge pickup and play that ONE note!

woodman · June 29th, 2006, 12:34 PM

Simplicity can have its own subtle sophistication.

txspreacher · June 29th, 2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman1

Simplicity can have its own subtle sophistication.

Hey! Sums up exactly how I feel about Teles. Never have put it into words before.

It's a tool that allows depth to be explored. A Tele is like a hammer, when you think about it. You can kinda just dink it around and make some scratches, or you can ler 'er fly and drive your point home!!!! Then, it can also be used, like a hammer can, to pry. You can sqeeze and coax some tones out of it that absolutely pry feelings and emotions out of the listener. That said, these durn Teles do expose every ounce of misuse we apply! Swing a hammer wrong, and it gets ugly. Goof up playing a Tele (I often/usually do) and well....yeah.....

Also, have you ever noticed Tele folks are some of the most musically open/varied folks out there? With a few exceptions, it seems all Tele players like almost all kinds of music. And yeah, the Tele has the potential to nail 'em all!

Pete Galati · June 29th, 2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riggergreg

Now this one really is "DEEP"

What's going on with that added thickness?

Roli · June 29th, 2006, 02:47 PM

B-bender.

rand z · June 29th, 2006, 02:47 PM

imho, as a tele player for almost 30 years, it is a guitar of nuances as it normally is not a good guitar to be played in overdrive (to trebbly, thin and shrill). and, you cant hide behind volume and distortion. you have to dig "deep" to get good, clean and consistant sounds from it.

you have to master it playing fairly clean tones, with double bends, slides, double stops and lightning fast, singularly picked notes.

it is the electric guitar of choice of the great acoustic flatpickers... and, yes, im talking CLARENCE WHITE. so, you gotta really PLAY it!

it is a versatile guitar, but it responds best when played cleanly. (imho)

most electric guitarists are either gibson, strat, prs, carvin, gretch, guild, yamaha, ibanez or *#&$%(@( players...

or, they play a telecaster.

its that DEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

all imho, of course.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

Johnny Caster · June 29th, 2006, 02:55 PM

It can also be shallow. That's why so many early punk bands played teles. Strats are too mainstream, Les Pauls are pretentious. Most guitars go BWaoWWowowow when you strum a tele it just goes BANG!

ravelle · June 30th, 2006, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Caster

It can also be shallow. That's why so many early punk bands played teles. Strats are too mainstream, Les Pauls are pretentious. Most guitars go BWaoWWowowow when you strum a tele it just goes BANG!

HEY!!! the punk thingy caught my attention. I always thought that the old punks used teles because it the sound was broader and much tighter , much more pronouced for power chords.

and yes about the bwao wao waoowowy , i agree , i used to own a yamaha pac 112J and whenever i played chords there was always this bwao wow bowing sound ..didnt like it at all , but when i tried the tele.....

BANG! like a shotgun..right in the face kind of tone.

bluetele54 · June 30th, 2006, 05:40 AM

...I don't play guitar,I'm a Telecaster player...you simply can't hide with one in your hands,a pure medium to express ones' intent...

ramseybella · June 30th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Well spoken Grass Hopper!!
I haven't played my Strat in years since I started playing a Telecaster now that’s deep since I have been playing Fender Stratocasters for over 20 years but never bought a Telecaster.
I was a die hard Strat guy thought Telecasters looked unforgiving and plane. Well I was wrong two knobs switch that has three positions and two pickups mounted to a plank and no damn Tremolo, it is simply more comfortable to play!
Even stumbling drunk you can still figure it out don't get me wrong I still say my Strat is a Foxy Lady, but still can be an unforgiving B***H > (Female Dog!!)

I like tools not cool guess I grew up a little bit more over the years!!

bluetele54 · June 30th, 2006, 03:17 PM

RE:Grasshopper...well,this strain is about "deep"...I had,keyword:had,a ' 56 Strat that was severely broken in...a good friend who knew my playing well seemed to think that instrument brought a lot out of me,and I agreed,but Teles first!!!...my 1954 has been my favorite guitar since I got it in 1972,and I had an immediate connection with those planks...I do know where the Strat is though(sold it to a friend),and I have visitation rights...

ramseybella · June 30th, 2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetele54

RE:Grasshopper...well,this strain is about "deep"...I had,keyword:had,a ' 56 Strat that was severely broken in...a good friend who knew my playing well seemed to think that instrument brought a lot out of me,and I agreed,but Teles first!!!...my 1954 has been my favorite guitar since I got it in 1972,and I had an immediate connection with those planks...I do know where the Strat is though(sold it to a friend),and I have visitation rights...

>>>>Any deeper and we will implode!!<<<<

ramseybella · June 30th, 2006, 04:45 PM

OK!!
Deep it is!

Bones · June 30th, 2006, 04:50 PM

Telecasters are sublime.

TG · June 30th, 2006, 06:55 PM

Instruments aren't deep...musicians are. Telecasters are just very good tools for expressing whatever it is musicians are trying to communicate.

June 29th, 2006, 02:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
ravelle Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: asia Age: 19 Posts: 469	The telecaster being a very "deep" instrument 1)I just felt that telecasters are very "deep" guitars and than it takes a lot of understanding and appreciation ( like art ) to play it and that to some extent , its an acquired taste ( at least for here in singapore ). 2)Just an observation that lotsa emo , indie (death cab for cutie ), soundscape , post rock bands use teles and make so much landscapes and textured paintings with delay. Its like , its a common ground where every tele player understands one another and that they have shared similar experiences and feelings in life . Do you guys feel that same way about teles being deep?

June 29th, 2006, 02:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Soupbone Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hickville, Florida Posts: 233 6 Photos	Its a slab of wood with strings on it to me. I just like the way it sounds when I snap, pop and bend the strings. __________________ "They're bringin in the Georgia mail..." Giving the EH POG Synth a workout-1 POG 2

June 29th, 2006, 04:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,557	It's very much a blue collar instrument. A workmans tool. Not something to be too careful with and over-protect. More like something that you'd slam against a brick wall to knock the snow off of after arriving caseless to a session during a blizzard. THAT'S a Telecaster. __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

June 29th, 2006, 04:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Stefan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden Age: 29 Posts: 1,824 36 Photos	I would say an Ibanez, ESP or some other guitar with Floyd Rose systems and shit, is a deep guitar... I can´t figure em´out and I sure can´t play em´either!!! The Telecaster makes sense... __________________ 1981 Capri Orange Fender Telecaster 1976 Fender Stratocaster 2007 Martin Backpacker 2005 Martin HD-28

June 29th, 2006, 07:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,492	i agree with Crawdad's post above..... Players such as Ted Greene, Roy Buchanan & Danny Gatton (to name only 3) have proven this to be true, time and time again.... There are depths of expression and tone the Tele is capable of that other guitar makes/models can't even begin to approach..... Now to find your depths of expression and tone Ravelle....your Tele is the perfect tool, dig in ! ;-) __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

June 29th, 2006, 03:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pete Galati R.I.P. Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,104 2 Photos	You can experience what a musical instrument has to offer on enough different levels that it could mean something different to each person. That doesn't make the Tele itself deep.

June 29th, 2006, 05:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
crawdad Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,293	It is deep, in the sense that it is a blank canvas. You can take it in a hundred different directions and make something magical. All the various Tele players over time have proved it. There is still stuff in the Tele that no one has excavated. Endless potential. Yeah, deep in that regard.

June 29th, 2006, 08:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
riggergreg Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Back in Texas, Again Age: 51 Posts: 1,017 34 Photos	Now this one really is "DEEP"

June 29th, 2006, 10:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
68tele Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northport LI Posts: 660	Hmmm... I think the main reason that you see lotsa emo/indie usage of telecasters is 'indie-cred': as with thick black framed glasses and ironic tee-shirts, it lets everyone know that you are 'cool' and 'relevant' .

June 29th, 2006, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,896	Simplicity can have its own subtle sophistication. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

June 29th, 2006, 02:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
Roli Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ¤ Hungary ¤ Age: 30 Posts: 1,570 5 Photos	B-bender. __________________ How I Play Fingerstyle Guitar - blog for rookies and not so rookies - with videos now!

June 29th, 2006, 02:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
rand z Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 998	imho, as a tele player for almost 30 years, it is a guitar of nuances as it normally is not a good guitar to be played in overdrive (to trebbly, thin and shrill). and, you cant hide behind volume and distortion. you have to dig "deep" to get good, clean and consistant sounds from it. you have to master it playing fairly clean tones, with double bends, slides, double stops and lightning fast, singularly picked notes. it is the electric guitar of choice of the great acoustic flatpickers... and, yes, im talking CLARENCE WHITE. so, you gotta really PLAY it! it is a versatile guitar, but it responds best when played cleanly. (imho) most electric guitarists are either gibson, strat, prs, carvin, gretch, guild, yamaha, ibanez or *#&$%(@( players... or, they play a telecaster. its that DEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! all imho, of course. rand z tropicalsoul.net

June 29th, 2006, 02:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
Johnny Caster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 22 Posts: 1,081	It can also be shallow. That's why so many early punk bands played teles. Strats are too mainstream, Les Pauls are pretentious. Most guitars go BWaoWWowowow when you strum a tele it just goes BANG! __________________ "I'm gonna toss my telecaster through the television screen cause I don't like what's goin on!" - Radiators From Space

June 30th, 2006, 05:40 AM	#19 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,473	...I don't play guitar,I'm a Telecaster player...you simply can't hide with one in your hands,a pure medium to express ones' intent...

June 30th, 2006, 02:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
ramseybella Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe New Mexico Posts: 1,044 48 Photos	Well spoken Grass Hopper!! I haven't played my Strat in years since I started playing a Telecaster now that’s deep since I have been playing Fender Stratocasters for over 20 years but never bought a Telecaster. I was a die hard Strat guy thought Telecasters looked unforgiving and plane. Well I was wrong two knobs switch that has three positions and two pickups mounted to a plank and no damn Tremolo, it is simply more comfortable to play! Even stumbling drunk you can still figure it out don't get me wrong I still say my Strat is a Foxy Lady, but still can be an unforgiving B***H > (Female Dog!!) I like tools not cool guess I grew up a little bit more over the years!!

June 30th, 2006, 03:17 PM	#21 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,473	RE:Grasshopper...well,this strain is about "deep"...I had,keyword:had,a ' 56 Strat that was severely broken in...a good friend who knew my playing well seemed to think that instrument brought a lot out of me,and I agreed,but Teles first!!!...my 1954 has been my favorite guitar since I got it in 1972,and I had an immediate connection with those planks...I do know where the Strat is though(sold it to a friend),and I have visitation rights...

June 30th, 2006, 04:45 PM	#23 (permalink)
ramseybella Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe New Mexico Posts: 1,044 48 Photos	OK!! Deep it is!

June 30th, 2006, 04:50 PM	#24 (permalink)
Bones Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,921 1 Photos	Telecasters are sublime.

June 30th, 2006, 06:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,462 7 Photos	Instruments aren't deep...musicians are. Telecasters are just very good tools for expressing whatever it is musicians are trying to communicate.