Best non Fender Tele copy ?

[geemo]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Sneaky........... It appears some of those Japanese companies aren't concerned about the headstock trademark infringement. I assume those guitars are not sold in the USA. I was suprised to see the trademarked headstock on the Seymour Duncan brand guitar since he has a working relationship with Fender.

Maybe Gibson and Fender don't have world wide patent to their headstocks? Take the edwards les paul as an example... When Its sold in Europe (under the same model number etc) it has some wierd non gibson looking headstcok. And when sold in japan voila (Gibson headstock)!
Same goes with Epiphone guitars made in Japan (ok I know epiphone is to gibson what Squier is to fender... sort of). But their Elite series are sold in America and Europe with a unique designed headstock and when sold in Japan Gibson headstcok! I cant understand this!!! It's the same guitars, so why change the headstock design?

[bek]

I guess Washburn didn't make the Laredo very long, but they seem as good as any. Made in Chicago, ash/maple, chunky neck, Wilkinson bridge/tuners, SD Broadcaster set. I keep meaning to swap out the pickguard for black or tortoise, but I just never do. I did put a decent switch tip on since this photo!

[Tele Jr]

They had a Suhr Tele in honey blonde at American Guitar Boutique that was the neatest non Fender copy I've ever seen and the closest I've ever come to really wanting to buy a non Fender Tele. If I wasn't flush with sweet Tele's as it is and was looking to add one I would have scored it for sure.

They also have a Trussart Steelcaster that is very cool for a non traditional style Tele copy, photo's don't really do it justice compared to giving it the eyeball in person but here it is:

http://www.americanguitarboutique.co...lue_Gator.aspx

[franchelB]

I would have to go with Carvin's TL60, although Anderson's "T" models are quite nice too.

[Tiddles]

Another vote for Tokai, but it has to be an old one (pre 1980 if possible…that only leaves 1979 in the case of their Tele copy, ie that’s first year of manufacture for Tokai Tele,,,1978 first year for other Tokai electrics).

Tokai are currently in a bit of a dispute about exporting Korean models to Canada. I think it’s due to complaints from Gibson re. the guitars being too close as a copy & too cheap (usual thing), so you may be out luck now if you want an MIK from Canada (first MIK models from 1996 by the way, not earlier).

But in any case MIK Tokai is not the same thing as MIJ Tokai (in fact it’s by no means clear if Tokai did anything more than sell rights for various Korean makers to use Tokai name and basic shape designs … the materials/wood etc. are usually quite different).

In recent years I have the impression that MIJ Tokai is really no better than other good MIJ brands such as Ibanez or Edwards. But when Tokai started making electrics in 1978 they began with a philosophy of trying to make very accurate copies using high quality parts & good quality woods. So early Tokais circa. 1978-1980 are now quite sought-after. Most desirable are the Les Paul copies from 1978-79, ie model with headstock logo saying “Les Paul Reborn”. But the early Tele & Strat copies are also super guitars.

The Tele is called “Breezysound”, although that name continued from 1979 until today, so you can’t use the name to verify the vintage…there are lots of tell-tale signs though, particularly the Script logo (“7-Okai”) and the serial number which is 7-digit giving the date in first 2 digits (ie on guitars before 1980, after that the number isn’t really a “serial number” as such, instead it just identifies a particular copy, eg copy of 1962 Fender), best indicator is model number stamped into the wood of the Fretboard at 21st fret (eg 50, 55, 80, 100) … that stamped number is found on all early Tokai guitars 1978-1979 ie all Tokai Gibson & Fender copies (the early Strat is called “Springy-sound” ie before 1984, then “Goldstar-sound” from 1984 until today).

Ian.

[sneakyjapan]

jwells...the Duncan line changed a lot this year...he only has a couple of strat and basse models now. He altered his headstock to look like something between a strat and a tele...very unappealing to me, and I thought he did that because he was planning to sell Stateside but so far I haven`t heard of anyone buying one over there. When ESP was building his line, he had a lot of models but no longer. I don`t think ESP makes them anymore and don`t know who does.

[Sparky6string]

I sure like my Fernandes. It's become my favorite guitar. I would imagine that the upper end copies might be a bit better, but I'm very satisfied with this little guy.


BTW nice lookin Washburn bek! Never heard of that model.

[xStonr]

These Agile Tele copies seem to be a pretty good value. This one's only $249.

# Traditional / retro-styled 3 piece body made of a beautiful solid alder wood
# Professional Grover tuners offer an 18-1 tuning ratio for ultra fine tuning
# Maple neck and Rosewood fretboard (NOT MAPLE AS SHOWN) with dot inlays and 22 frets
# Standard T- style fixed bridge with adjustable saddles
# Passive volume/tone controls with classic blade three way selector switch
# Two vintage style single coil pickupshelp create that classic sound
# Pearloid pickguard i s included on the Cream TC-630- Not black as shown
# Width of the neck at the nut: 1 5/8"; at the 22st fret: 2 1/4"
# Fingerboard radius: 254mm
# Overall length 40"
# Width at the widest point: 13"
# Actual Weight is only 9 lbs

[chicknpickn2]

I just picked up a K-Line guitar this week. It is amazing, and affordable....some specs...nitro finish, Lollar 52s, 91/2"radius,medium c neck, alder, 7lbs 14oz, orange drop cap, cts pots,switchcraft, etc.

[geemo]

Chiknpickn2; really cool guitar!!! How much do they cost? (I like the specs on it!!!)

[chicknpickn2]

The k-lines are $1150.00 for a tele, and $1250.00 for a strat. I just used it on a gig this weekend and it was awesome. Definately the best tele style guitar I have ever had, and I have a Vinetto, among other teles. This is definatly my new number one!

[Mike Fleming]

Yeah, remove the bigsby and that pine tele is one of my favorite tele's of all time. In fact, the holes from removing the bigsby would give it even more character.

Mike

[AJ Love]

GVCG's are $4500, Lentz' are $2550, Suhrs are often @ $2500. Not exactly "inexpensive" as per the original posters question...

However, if we are adding the more expensive Boutique builders, I'll mention Tomkins Guitars. My Tomkins Tele is the best Telecaster I've ever played and cost $1499. Not cheap but definitely a great deal as compared to Fender Custom Shop or other Boutique builders...

[Roscoe]

Out of all the Tokai guitars Ive played, I can say Ive never been disappointed...

[bek]

Originally Posted by Sparky6string

BTW nice lookin Washburn bek! Never heard of that model.

Thanks. Washburn only made it them for a couple years; there aren't too many around. The abalone dots are a nice touch, too. No shielding and Broadcaster pickup set make a very vintage approach. Interesting bonus: middle pickup rout already there so you can do a Nashville modification easy. I'm not much for the bridge. I thought about converting to a three-barrel, but my tech says it's a good bridge. I think it's kind of an annoyance and potential problem to have a dozen little screws holding up six strings; it seems like some saddle is buzzing every few weeks, even using purple loctite. Probably just me.

[geemo]

Originally Posted by chicknpickn2

The k-lines are $1150.00 for a tele, and $1250.00 for a strat. I just used it on a gig this weekend and it was awesome. Definately the best tele style guitar I have ever had, and I have a Vinetto, among other teles. This is definatly my new number one!

That seems like a great price, especially for that kinda a spec! (Nitro finish and lollar pups). Cool guitar, thanks for posting it!

[endzone]

anyone ever had or played an Alvarez Tele? I've seen them on Ebay and thought about trying to pick one up for cheap.

[tyrotwang]

Has anyone seen a "Girl Brand guitar?"http://www.girlbrand.com/indexD.htm

[Jack Wells]

Just received this Ocean Turquoise Metallic Fernandes a few days ago. I haven't opened it up yet but I'd say the quality is on a par with Fender Japan. I'm going to tint the pickguard to match the cream binding.

......

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by sleepyeye

I've been drooling over the GVCG Teles.
I've never even emailed for prices.
I don't think I want to know.

http://www.destroyallguitars.com/pages/gvcg.html









Sorry. I got carried away with the Tele porn.

Damn, the 2nd and 3rd guitars are two of my favourites ever Telecasters!!

Fender's model, of course...