American "New Style" vs. "Vintage"

[PJ]

When I play the new "american, non-vintage spec." Teles in the store, they sound great. But does anyone agree, that they just don't capture the feel of a "vintage" Tele?

[mellecaster]

YEP!

[quackerz]

Not even close!

I hate the way all new Fenders feel.

[Pete Galati]

I don't really like the way the current Fender company tries to re-invent old models. It pretty much prevents me from buying their guitars, because I never quite know which models will take standard hardware.

[63dot]

Originally Posted by PJ

When I play the new "american, non-vintage spec." Teles in the store, they sound great. But does anyone agree, that they just don't capture the feel of a "vintage" Tele?

i don't like the american non vintage telecasters...i had a 1990 and it just didn't twang

my old, three dual string saddles, out of intonation vintage telecasters had a great vibe to them...some players like keith richards modified some of his old telecasters to have six bridge pieces for better intonation

no matter how i set the three saddles, the best i could do for intonation was to get a compromise but i didn't mind so much

[PJ]

For some reason, my 50s RI intonates perfectly with Fender brass saddles. My 1970, with grooved bridge parts doesn't come close. Not sure why. Might be the radius of the area the string contacts, but I'm no physicist.

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by PJ

For some reason, my 50s RI intonates perfectly with Fender brass saddles. My 1970, with grooved bridge parts doesn't come close. Not sure why. Might be the radius of the area the string contacts, but I'm no physicist.

MF sells Fender brass saddles for about $!5 a set. They're probably the same part as your RI uses.

With my set of .038 to .010 strings, I get my intonation close, but not exact with them.

Pete

[Indiana]

I have a new AMS but I've had to modify it with a 3 saddle bridge. I don't like the tone otherwise. I'm sure that a really old Tele does sound good with a 6 saddle bridge, but the newer AMS sounds dull

[Telewringer]

Tell ya what i bought an Am Std Tele once and it was the most dull guitar I
ever played. Did not feel right, did not sound right etc. Went back into several shops and tried a few more and they were the same. No twang, just THUD !

Go find yourself a decent 70's Tele for around $3,500.00 and you cant go wrong. Maybe change the pickups to Seymore Duncans etc. They sound great and is worth the extra bucks as you will keep the guitar forever and enjoy it. All this new stuff is just to flat and strange feeling to me. Same with an Amp. Get and old Blackface, or Silverface Twin or Super Reverb and you will be happy.

[Gareth John]

I got myself a new tele because I like the look of telecasters but I wanted the comfort of a modern bridge and 22 fret neck. I also wanted a poly finish so it was the only option i saw fit. I think the american standards are great guitars but I don't like teles for the same reason many of you like teles (twang, vintage authenticity etc)

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by PJ

When I play the new "american, non-vintage spec." Teles in the store, they sound great. But does anyone agree, that they just don't capture the feel of a "vintage" Tele?

Nor the sound. To say the least.

[boogaloo]

I bought a Glendale vintage bridge and comped saddles for my Fender CSCC Tele. This bridge is vintage in style but uses the mounting configuration of the "modern" or flat bridge holes. The twang and tone increased to a most acceptable level AND the guitar intonates amazingly. Yes, the Glendale bridge, although vintage in style, is longer, but I'll tell you it makes a big difference, IMHO.

Brian