Which Relic to buy: Thinline Nocaster or Nocaster (solidbody)?

[punch]

Hello there!

I'm ready to buy a new tele, but there a TWO candidates left: a Relic Nocaster Thinline and a Relic Nocaster (solidbody). Both butterscotch, blackguard, etc...
Is there anyone who owns or has played both and can give me some advice? I've played them both; separate, they're in different stores, so it's hard to compare them side by side. I like them both a lot and have doubts if there are any real, noticable, differences soundwise. So any advice is welcome!

[punch]

By the way, there's a third contender: a Masterbuilt (Yuri Shiskov) 50's CAR Relic Telecaster with Bigsby, flamed maple neck...just a tad more expensive ($ 100,-)...
I don't know anymore: HELP

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[thaus]

Before I happened on my good luck of getting a Christmas gift CS Nocaster Relic, I did play a Thinline Relic at a Fender dealer and didn't much care for it! I am more a strat player (horror of horrors!) and I found that the tone from the thinline didn't seem 'telecaster-like' - if that makes sense!! The neck on the two is the same and at the time, I had never played such a beefy neck so I didn't care for that either. Was not able to plug in so can't comment on the sound of the pick-ups.
I have since played my CS Nocaster Relic for over a month and I love it! The neck is fat but comfortable, like old jeans. The Nocaster pups sound really good; the tones are typical telecaster and very dynamic. Neck is vintage specs and I really do like playing the smaller frets and the more rounded radius(7.25 instead of 9.25). I don't think you can go wrong with either but I can highly recommend the Nocaster Relic........what's an answer without a pic! My lovely '51 Nocaster Relic.....

[punch]

Originally Posted by thaus

Before I happened on my good luck of getting a Christmas gift CS Nocaster Relic, I did play a Thinline Relic at a Fender dealer and didn't much care for it! I am more a strat player (horror of horrors!) and I found that the tone from the thinline didn't seem 'telecaster-like' - if that makes sense!! The neck on the two is the same and at the time, I had never played such a beefy neck so I didn't care for that either. Was not able to plug in so can't comment on the sound of the pick-ups.
I have since played my CS Nocaster Relic for over a month and I love it! The neck is fat but comfortable, like old jeans. The Nocaster pups sound really good; the tones are typical telecaster and very dynamic. Neck is vintage specs and I really do like playing the smaller frets and the more rounded radius(7.25 instead of 9.25). I don't think you can go wrong with either but I can highly recommend the Nocaster Relic........what's an answer without a pic! My lovely '51 Nocaster Relic.....

Hi Thaus,
Great guitar! Historically, I tend to prefer the '51 Nocaster... I mean, that's the 'real' Blackguard Tele! But did you see the CAR Bigsby Relic? What do you think about that one?

[thaus]

Punch, as I mentioned, I am really a strat player who happens to have a nice enough wife that she won an ebay auction for the Nocaster!! This is only the 2nd telecaster that I have owned and I love the tone and the playability........I have never played a guitar with a bigsby but since I am used to the trem on a strat, I can only surmise that it must be a similiar thing. I really like the look of the red telecaster that you posted........looks classy! I would have a hard time deciding on either but I would judge ultimately on how each plays more than look and tone. I do not like guitars that look great but play terribly! Good luck..........

[thaus]

Oh yeah, you probably notice that the previous owner of this Nocaster installed a Joe Barden bridge and also put a top-hat knob on the switch. Not historically accurate but the Barden bridge is great (intonation is easy!) and the top-hat works for me. I will change it at some point just to see if one or the other 'works' better...........

[punch]

Unbelievable, but I also can buy an early 1964 Fender Jazzmaster, refinished in Dakota Red, buzzstop added, everything else 100% original, original brown tolex case included...just a tad more expensive but not much...that's the last one, I won't permit any more or I will turn mad...I have to choose between these four! What would YOU choose?

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Jellecaster]

My Nocaster Relic is one of my favorite guitars. I confess that I haven't played the Thinline, but I don't like the idea. The thought of a relic of a guitar that never existed is strange to me. I DO NOT WANT TO START A RELIC DEBATE - GOD HELP US!!!! It's just my opinion.

I really doubt you'll be disappointed with the Relic Nocaster. As for the Maseterbuilt - I really think that a Bigsby is ugly as hell on a Tele. Fine on a Gretsch, but not on a Tele. Sorry, just my opinion again.

Oh - and the Jazzmaster has one massive flaw that would prevent me from even looking at it - can anyone guess what that is?

[newtwanger]

I humbly suggest you are losing focus. You were down to two, then three, then four....
If it was me at this point I would walk away and decide what I'm looking for, then return to the buying game. The reason is this; these 4 guitars are VERY different, it's not like deciding on a color, but on a feel, style, vibe, mojo etc.

Nocaster = basic true classic with all the plusses and minuses that come with it.

Nocaster Thinline = funky idea for this who don't care that an "original" never existed because the hollow body sounds so nice.

Bigsby = most unique but very different neck and plays like a guitar with a bigsby.

Jazzmaster = now you lost me, I can't get a sound I like outta them so I have nothing good to say here.

Once you know what you want, you'll know which one you want.

Of those 4 I would want the Bigsby 'cuz I love maple neck bigsbys.

[Steve McGinnis]

I have tried them both and bought the Thinline Relic. One reason was that the thinline had a flat radius and bigger frets, but more importantly, It spoke to me. I always like to try out guitars, and I actually wasn't looking for one to buy at the time. The thing is feather light too, and doesn't have any neck dive issues.

[thaus]

Between those four I would have to say I prefer the Nocaster (since I have one!) and the JazzMaster. I like the tones from JazzMasters that I have heard and they are sort of a mellow strat tone to my ears but can growl with the right amp/guitar combo. The Nocaster will not appreciate in value (of any signifcance) while a real vintage instrument will have an adherent value to collectors etc. But for me it always comes down to playability.........

[KC]

That CAR one is a looker but I'd take it off the list -- if you're trying to get yourself a #1 tele, the Bigsby is just too far off the tele range for my tastes. I've got one and it's a nice change of pace (or it would be if I could ever get it back from my son). But if I could only have one, that wouldn't be it . . .

Ditto the Jazzmaster, though if you play it & find your sound, good for you. It's the only "investment" in the pile, and it's a fine-looking guitar. What's wrong with it?

Haven't played the others. I'd take a long searching look at that thinline -- I love my thinline. Then I'd probably just go buy the Nocaster. Can't go wrong with either one.

[Pjwill]

I currently have a TM Closet Classic Nocaster. Absolutley love it. I decided to pick up a used Classic Series Thinline for a little different flavor. To my ear, the Thinline has an "airier", less focused tone. Should arrive next week sometime. If you like the traditional focused 50's Ash/Maple Tele tone, stick with the solid body Nocaster.

What is a Jazzmaster??

[titus]

Hi Punch,
Do you have any guitars similar to the Nocaster/blackguard?
If not, I'd get the basic Nocaster...that's just me though.
I think everyone should have at least one vintage spec Tele.

After that, maybe I'd get the Bigsby or Jazzmaster.

-T

[Klaus Kemmerling]

Hi Punch,
personally I have a CS Nocaster and it became my main guitar from the day I got it. I hardly play any of my other guitars.
As others wrote before, the Nocaster in butterscotch with the blackguard is the classic version of that guitar. So this would be my choice.
The Thinline is nice. But I would not like to have it instead of a Nocaster. Maybe it would be a nice addition if one has a Nocaster/Telecaster allready.
The red Tele... not my cup of tea. This would be my last choice of these Teles.
However... that is said without having tried one of these guitars. If the Nocaster would be of medium quality only "in person", but the Thinline would be outstanding, maybe I would change my mind.
It all depends on what you like best in the end.
GOOD LUCK,
Klaus

[punch]

Originally Posted by titus

Hi Punch,
Do you have any guitars similar to the Nocaster/blackguard?
If not, I'd get the basic Nocaster...that's just me though.
I think everyone should have at least one vintage spec Tele.

After that, maybe I'd get the Bigsby or Jazzmaster.

-T

Hi Titus,
Well, I have of course my homebuilt '55 Tele (I removed the Bigsby by the way, she is much lighter now and sounds a bit better)... But I have to be honest; while it's a great guitar, a custom shop '51 Nocaster sounds better...
And wouldn't it be nice to have a black- AND a whiteguard??? Also I bought a '57 Deluxe last week and I would love to have a blackguard with it...

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[eddiewagner]

go for the nocaster relic please. i once had the chance to play one and i really, really liked it.

[kitmac50]

I own a 2001 Nocaster Relic and love it.I saw the Thinline Nocaster and wanted one so much it hurt! I thought it would be woodier sounding with that resonance that semi G*****S have,but it really didn't sound that different from a regular Tele. Yes,it was very light,around 6lbs,but the pups were not like Nocaster pups.
The Broadcaster bridge and Twisted Tele neck pups are much more balanced in output than the Nocaster's,but the P90 like girth of the bridge pup was missing,along with the clear spank that my Nocasters neck pup has.
I suppose I could have fitted aftermarket Nocaster pups,but as the resonance wasn't anything that special,I decided to cut my losses and sell it.
I doubt I'll ever sell my Nocaster,but I don't miss the Thinline(just the money I lost!!!)
I'm always getting positive comments about the Nocasters tone and look,more so than my other guitars.
In short,the Thinline is a very good guitar,my Nocaster is a great one.
Just my experience/opinion

[telejonez]

I'd get the nocaster. I love the neck on that thing. I'd get it in white. Maybe I'll sell my strat...

[punch]

Originally Posted by newtwanger

I humbly suggest you are losing focus. You were down to two, then three, then four....
If it was me at this point I would walk away and decide what I'm looking for, then return to the buying game. The reason is this; these 4 guitars are VERY different, it's not like deciding on a color, but on a feel, style, vibe, mojo etc.

Nocaster = basic true classic with all the plusses and minuses that come with it.

Nocaster Thinline = funky idea for this who don't care that an "original" never existed because the hollow body sounds so nice.

Bigsby = most unique but very different neck and plays like a guitar with a bigsby.

Jazzmaster = now you lost me, I can't get a sound I like outta them so I have nothing good to say here.

Once you know what you want, you'll know which one you want.

Of those 4 I would want the Bigsby 'cuz I love maple neck bigsbys.

I know and you're right. I brought it back to two again: the '51 Nocaster Relic and the Thinline Nocaster Relic...

[newtwanger]

I know and you're right. I brought it back to two again: the '51 Nocaster Relic and the Thinline Nocaster Relic...

Now yer talkin'.

It is with the utmost respect to the blackguard purists that I defer and select the Nocaster Thinline purely based in the fact that you already have a 55ish solidbody. That and it's pretty damn cool!

As someone already said, none of these new guitars are investments so buy the one you enjoy lookin at because the one you look at most tends to be the one you pick up most.

[gitarjoe]

Nocaster relic all the way. Own one and love it.

[51tele]

I've had 3 relic nocasters-----------down to one now and that will never leave me

[boris bubbanov]

Solid body, two reasons:

We all know when (and why) Thinlines happened. The solid ash body is more 'valid' and although the solid is now 'select' ash, there was a lot of wonderful ash that graded as ordinary 50 years ago.

Second, hearing about that black '69 Thinline (in a gigbag) falling from a pickup bed during a load up and splitting open, these darned things should be able to take the abuse, you know? In other words, it would have been a really lucky break for a thinline body to be around that long, and gotten that much abuse and the body not have gotten buggered somehow along the way. Remember how few cases were actually sold for these guitars in the 50's.

Save the Thinline for next time,

Bubbanov

[Dennis68]

Punch, What did you ever end up getting, or did I miss your announcement elsewhere?