72' Tele Custom Opinions Needed

mtnjam74 · March 7th, 2007, 09:46 AM

Just lookin for a little feedback from anyone who owns or has played the '72 Tele Custom reissue. I'm fascinated by the humbucker and would consider buying one. On my last visit to GC, I was unable to try one out cause.....they had none. The man in the store told me GC stopped carrying them, and only one existed in all the Connecticut GC stores. I hate buying blind but this guitar seems like it has the best of both worlds.
Thanks Dave

jazztele · March 7th, 2007, 09:53 AM

reallylike mine...neck's quite a bit more substantial than what you can get on an american std., i dig the 7.25 radius. humbucker sounds good, if a little dark, middle position's cool, let's you blend the sounds. bridge is pretty noisy, but just keep your hands on the guitar when you're not playing or turn the volume down. bridge pickup is way brighter than the one on my american standard...the tone knob definitely gets play. i put brass saddles on mine, and to my ears, it mellowed the guitar a bit. overall, nice axe, pretty sunburst. i went with the rosewood board, but you can get 'em both ways.

Stencil · March 7th, 2007, 01:12 PM

I got mine about a year ago, for a little Keef mojo...and for that humbucker.

Mine is a CIJ, however (Fender Japan were the first to re-issue the '72 Custom, after all.) I believe Fender now sells MIMs into the US market. The maple neck/fretboard is extremely fast and with a black body makes for a wicked looking axe.

It has a frightening range of sounds, particularly when mixing the two pick-ups together. The one thing it can't do is the jazzy neck pick-up sound of a standard single-coil tele pick-up.

There's a pretty good '72 Custom fan page here.

If I were you, I'd take the plunge and order one from Musician's Friend; you can always return it if you don't like it.

Cheers,

D°

Heather Anne Peel · March 7th, 2007, 02:03 PM

I have a '72 Tele Custom RI, a '72 Tele Deluxe RI and a Squier Tele Custom in my collection. The Tele Custom and Deluxe are my fave Teles. The Deluxe is like a hybrid Tele/Strat/Gibson, but it's sound is still very Fender-y. It is my fave Tele. The Custom comes really, really close, and it's probably sonically more versatile, with the neck 'bucker and the bridge single coil. I use the center position a lot on my Custom and blend the two pick-ups together. Very unique tone. Anyway, here's a pic of my Deluxe (need to post some pics of my Custom soon).

I highly recommend the Tele Custom and Tele Deluxe RIs. I also recommend the Squier Tele Custom, it's a pretty funky guitar and the price is unbeatable.

hollowman · March 7th, 2007, 02:27 PM

Ask and ye shall receive...

My MIJ 72 RI is my main gigging guitar, very versatile, great guitar. I've not played any of the MIM ones that are out although a friend of mine has one just like Heathers pictured above (deluxe) that he got at a pawnshop for $200 and it is a great guitar for the $. I personally like the small radius fret board on this guitar and the neck is nice. I did replace the PUPs as they seemed a little thin.

True they are not the "classic" tele set up or tone, but I don't think you would be disappointed, unless you get a dog. but as mentioned above you can return it if you don't like it, and Musicians Friend will put it in their warehouse here in KC and I'll buy it for half price!!!!!!!

I still think you ought to find one to play to make sure you like it, you night check out your local pawnshops....

Good luck!

Cheesehead · March 7th, 2007, 03:13 PM

After Heather, I'm probably the biggest 72 Tele Deluxe RI booster on this forum. Got mine (in walnut) to complement my single coil Muddy Tele and replace my Epi Dot. Not sure if the buckers are the same as the Custom, but the tone and playability is great. I wouldn't hesitate to consider a MIM 72 Tele Custom RI.

Arc Angel · March 7th, 2007, 03:27 PM

I've got a 72RI Custom (MIM 2005) and its very flexible in terms of tone. Good fit and finish, no complaints really. If its your first and only Tele, you might have a yearning for something a little more traditional as well.

shades · March 7th, 2007, 03:32 PM

Most folks that own the '72 Custom seem mighty happy with it.
I've played a couple and would definately buy one.
The above posts say it all...

J-man · March 7th, 2007, 03:37 PM

I've played a couple, they're excellent guitars, same high quality as the 50's and 60's Teles.

fungusyoung · March 9th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Love mine after owning this for just a couple weeks or so. The tones when blending the two pups is awesome. I've thought about changing out the pots as I have with my other CIJ's, but I'm not so sure about this one.

OutlawSteph1975 · March 9th, 2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stencil

The one thing it can't do is the jazzy neck pick-up sound of a standard single-coil tele pick-up.

The original wide-range humbucker is wonderful for jazz! It's got a classy clean tone, almost hollow. It's nice a little dirty too, very Duane Allman-ish. The reissue humbucker doesn't quite get it right, but it's acceptable.

austintele · March 9th, 2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutlawSteph1975

The original wide-range humbucker is wonderful for jazz! It's got a classy clean tone, almost hollow. It's nice a little dirty too, very Duane Allman-ish. The reissue humbucker doesn't quite get it right, but it's acceptable.

+1 very cool sound. Paul Westerburg uses one live and sounds great

1977CJ5 · March 9th, 2007, 09:11 PM

I Love mine! It was kind of noisy when I got it. I've heard this is somewhat common with this model. Anyway, after some shielding it is very quiet now. I like everything about this guitar!!!

March 7th, 2007, 09:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
mtnjam74 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Guilford, CT Age: 34 Posts: 21	72' Tele Custom Opinions Needed Just lookin for a little feedback from anyone who owns or has played the '72 Tele Custom reissue. I'm fascinated by the humbucker and would consider buying one. On my last visit to GC, I was unable to try one out cause.....they had none. The man in the store told me GC stopped carrying them, and only one existed in all the Connecticut GC stores. I hate buying blind but this guitar seems like it has the best of both worlds. Thanks Dave

March 7th, 2007, 09:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
jazztele Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: chicago Age: 29 Posts: 2,198	reallylike mine...neck's quite a bit more substantial than what you can get on an american std., i dig the 7.25 radius. humbucker sounds good, if a little dark, middle position's cool, let's you blend the sounds. bridge is pretty noisy, but just keep your hands on the guitar when you're not playing or turn the volume down. bridge pickup is way brighter than the one on my american standard...the tone knob definitely gets play. i put brass saddles on mine, and to my ears, it mellowed the guitar a bit. overall, nice axe, pretty sunburst. i went with the rosewood board, but you can get 'em both ways. __________________ “For the guitar is the most unpredictable and least reliable musical instrument in existence...and also the sweetest, the warmest, the most delicate, whose melancholic voice awakes in our soul exquisite reveries.” Andres Segovia

March 7th, 2007, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stencil Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gif-sur-Yvette, or the Air France Lounge Posts: 207 14 Photos	I got mine about a year ago, for a little Keef mojo...and for that humbucker. Mine is a CIJ, however (Fender Japan were the first to re-issue the '72 Custom, after all.) I believe Fender now sells MIMs into the US market. The maple neck/fretboard is extremely fast and with a black body makes for a wicked looking axe. It has a frightening range of sounds, particularly when mixing the two pick-ups together. The one thing it can't do is the jazzy neck pick-up sound of a standard single-coil tele pick-up. There's a pretty good '72 Custom fan page here. If I were you, I'd take the plunge and order one from Musician's Friend; you can always return it if you don't like it. Cheers, D° __________________ "Cut out the middleman, start your own revolution."

March 7th, 2007, 02:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
hollowman Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas City Age: 44 Posts: 498	Ask and ye shall receive... My MIJ 72 RI is my main gigging guitar, very versatile, great guitar. I've not played any of the MIM ones that are out although a friend of mine has one just like Heathers pictured above (deluxe) that he got at a pawnshop for $200 and it is a great guitar for the $. I personally like the small radius fret board on this guitar and the neck is nice. I did replace the PUPs as they seemed a little thin. True they are not the "classic" tele set up or tone, but I don't think you would be disappointed, unless you get a dog. but as mentioned above you can return it if you don't like it, and Musicians Friend will put it in their warehouse here in KC and I'll buy it for half price!!!!!!! I still think you ought to find one to play to make sure you like it, you night check out your local pawnshops.... Good luck! __________________ "In a land where all are blind, the one eyed man is king"

March 7th, 2007, 03:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
shades Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,Pa. Age: 51 Posts: 1,244 8 Photos	Most folks that own the '72 Custom seem mighty happy with it. I've played a couple and would definately buy one. The above posts say it all... __________________ A.S.N.F.

March 7th, 2007, 02:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	I have a '72 Tele Custom RI, a '72 Tele Deluxe RI and a Squier Tele Custom in my collection. The Tele Custom and Deluxe are my fave Teles. The Deluxe is like a hybrid Tele/Strat/Gibson, but it's sound is still very Fender-y. It is my fave Tele. The Custom comes really, really close, and it's probably sonically more versatile, with the neck 'bucker and the bridge single coil. I use the center position a lot on my Custom and blend the two pick-ups together. Very unique tone. Anyway, here's a pic of my Deluxe (need to post some pics of my Custom soon). I highly recommend the Tele Custom and Tele Deluxe RIs. I also recommend the Squier Tele Custom, it's a pretty funky guitar and the price is unbeatable.

March 7th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cheesehead Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Age: 44 Posts: 1,109 6 Photos	After Heather, I'm probably the biggest 72 Tele Deluxe RI booster on this forum. Got mine (in walnut) to complement my single coil Muddy Tele and replace my Epi Dot. Not sure if the buckers are the same as the Custom, but the tone and playability is great. I wouldn't hesitate to consider a MIM 72 Tele Custom RI.

March 7th, 2007, 03:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Arc Angel Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 162	I've got a 72RI Custom (MIM 2005) and its very flexible in terms of tone. Good fit and finish, no complaints really. If its your first and only Tele, you might have a yearning for something a little more traditional as well.

March 7th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 20 Posts: 6,287 9 Photos	I've played a couple, they're excellent guitars, same high quality as the 50's and 60's Teles. __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown "The large print giveth and the small print taketh away." - Tom Waits

March 9th, 2007, 11:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 942 22 Photos	Love mine after owning this for just a couple weeks or so. The tones when blending the two pups is awesome. I've thought about changing out the pots as I have with my other CIJ's, but I'm not so sure about this one.