Playing a Telecaster in church

[HighTower]

Originally Posted by fenderfool

New here, and first post. I have been a worship leader and children's pastor for years, and have played Strats, Teles, Les Pauls (gasp!), a 335 copy and various and sundry acoustics. The Teles are always some of my favorites tone-wise. I have never had complaints from congregation members regarding the electrics, usually only comments about "now when did you get THAT one!?" The most compliments I've had were about a home-grown "stealth" Esquire I whipped up recently: Black on black with cream binding and a maple neck with a neck p'up hidden under the pickguard.

I have not read all the posts here, so I'm winging like usual. I think maybe I need to get in some church band to help sort my life out. What is it like to play in a church band? I recall doing rehearsals at a church in Valdosta GA (they let us use the PA for practice) and an ol gray haired woman (like I am now)
asked us where we went to church on a regular basis; when she got to me I said "I don't go" which was the truth, and the other band members laughed their buts off at seeing the expression on the ol ladies face.

[HighTower]

And uh,
pardon me; welcome aboard New Member ( and I mean that sincerely)

[patl]

I'm not sure which Scriptural fragment that minister was working from. It sounds like one of the Levitical laws about what the cows are supposed to eat from, but I'm not certain.

I think that our entire lives are to glorify God, and my own model for mission is the life of Jesus. If Jesus went to the outcasts and the losers and the broken of society - i.e. US :-), then I think your best use of your #1 guitar is to glorify God in the bars through your expression of God's life within you.

The distinction between the sacred (church building) and the profane (the bar) is overrated, and in any case we're supposed to be representing our God our there and not just in the worship gathering time, right?

[HighTower]

God is glorified in music (ain't no doubt about that) no matter where you play or sing. I was just trying to get some hints about what it would be like to play in a church band, since I don't have the looks or hot licks anymore. I'm just wanting to meet others who care about true spirit, and even though I have never been much of regular church goer (organized religion has lots to be desired) I am just wanting to make some new friends in my isolated part of the woods.

[guitbusy]

Originally Posted by patl

I'm not sure which Scriptural fragment that minister was working from. It sounds like one of the Levitical laws about what the cows are supposed to eat from, but I'm not certain.

I think that our entire lives are to glorify God, and my own model for mission is the life of Jesus. If Jesus went to the outcasts and the losers and the broken of society - i.e. US :-), then I think your best use of your #1 guitar is to glorify God in the bars through your expression of God's life within you.

The distinction between the sacred (church building) and the profane (the bar) is overrated, and in any case we're supposed to be representing our God our there and not just in the worship gathering time, right?

True, funny thing is most people in the church (building) aren't the ones that really need to see God/Jesus in action.

[patl]

Originally Posted by guitbusy

True, funny thing is most people in the church (building) aren't the ones that really need to see God/Jesus in action.

I'm not so sure about that :-) They(we) do, but just don't think so...

[Jahmbie]

Originally Posted by Jenix

i had an sg before and I dunno if it was the horns or what but they didnt like it one bit.

Too bad...then Sister Rosetta couldn't play for them.

[junk126]

Thanks for posting that. Awesome video!

[andy__woods]

yeah seriously, that video is fantastic! Kevin Max recently did that song on an album. I believe its on his "The Blood" cd, and he does the song with Amy Grant and Vince Gill, so it has some tasty riffs in there too

[junk126]

That song with Vince on it I might have to check out.

[1forthethumb]

I've played an SRV strat, and seen a Lace Sensor Jeff Beck played at church.
The Beck sounded so good I had to stare, but I think only I noticed it.
I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable playing my red SG in church though.

[Mexjefcaster]

I proudly play my Made in Mexico tele in church. Last month my Variax turned up with a bum sensor under the a string. I ran home and within 10 minutes(i live real close) I had my tele plugged in and tuned. yum.

[JeffsJeep04]

Played my tele special for the first time at church today rather then my strat....it sounded absolutely killer. Makes me wish I was a better player...lol.

I went to sit down and my wife said "I heard you twanging away up there" She usually can't pick me out of the mix, so I thought that was pretty funny.

[TxTeleMan]

Although I have received compliments on my playing in church, the only comment I received specifically about my Tele was when I was playing my old 66 blonde/whiteguard/roseowood Tele (it was about the color of the TDPRI background. It was road-worn through 30 years of use.

The youth worship leader told me that it was the ugliest guitar he'd ever seen.

[bek]

I've used a Hamer Archtop Studio, Washburn Laredo (Tele), gorgeous classic US-made guitars, and no one noticed. I used a couple US-made Linderts (one guy asked if one was a Guild Thunderbird, kind of weird), no real notice. I used an Industrial LP (hollow aluminum top and back weirdness), no comment from anyone but the band members. Everybody loved and commented on my Epi gold sparkletop LP. A fine, working guitar I didn't worry about much as it isn't real rare. No hum, loud enough in all circumstances, etc. People like my cheapest guitar the best, and no one gets excited which one I play. Go figure. Hey, in my church last week a girl player brought in a lime-green Dean Razorback and played a takeoff on Power of Love. Practically anything is ok around here.

[ahoar12]

While this is not my exact guitar (found these pics on google image search), I do have one just like it, and I play it frequently at church. Have only recieved complements about it.

[muddy water]

Hello all,
I started playing my Tele at a new chruch about three months ago. I've been very surprised at the responses I've gotten, one sweet eldery man asked me how much I wanted for "that old Fender" It ain't that old, but it's had it's share of gigging. The Tele is one of the first Highways ones and i've done a lot of additions to it. I play through a Fender Deville, though when I first started playing there I was using a small little Gretch amp--I really wasn't ready to be heard at that time. Most importantly I'm having a ball playing for God. Yhe church itself is very open and it's a great place to worship. Of course I love the sound of a Tele---I've sold off everything else I had, after many Teles, Pauls, a Strat, and a beautiful Rick, I've found the one axe I will keep forever. The church is very musically minded and I can't believe how many times I've been told how nice the Tele sounds. Having said that, of course not everyones knows the difference in guitars, but there are some that do, and when they want to talk Tele---I'm all ears!

God bless and Twang on,

Rick

[TelecasterSam]

Yes it is fun playing in churches. I played an electric, either Les Paul or Tele, in churches with a traveling gospel group for about 20 years and had a blast. Some folks like to talk guitars afterwords and it was always enjoyable, except for the guy who jokingly asked if we could do the Dukes of Hazzard Theme...I think it was a slight slam about my tele twang or something!! He knew just enough about Telecasters and country music to ask a smart alecky question! :) Now for the last 5 years I've mostly played acoustic...I think it's time to start taking the telecaster again...gettin' the fever.

[kiwi_caster]

Hey Y'all Anyone got the Tab for the Dukes of Hazzard

No Seriously!!

[TelecasterSam]

:)

[Dr. T]

Originally Posted by TelecasterSam

...I played one traveling 20+ years and only had one comment....a guy asking if we could play the theme from Dukes of Hazzard!

Tell me where that church is, I want to join it...

[TelecasterSam]

I think it was in Illinois somewhere. Sorry I can't remember the exact place! Been 10 years or so.... Good old boys, never meanin' no harm....I do think we could have played it on a return trip there if we were asked back! I don't think we were though.

[jarrodmichael]

I've only ever received compliments about my tele. But, I tend to play light on effects - and in a more of a rhythm / fill capacity rather than lead. Our other electric guitarist is the gear freak :) He plays a strat though, so I suppose it needs the help I think he might get the occasional comment, but more about the "joyful noises" he makes more than the instrument itself.
-jm

[telemike77]

I use a tele in church every Sunday. Used to use an Ibanez RG with EMG's for worship. It didn't work to well for most songs so I got a tele. I think they are the perfect guitars for worship. They don't only sound great for that kind of music but they look appropriate too. The only comment I've gotten on mine was from an older lady in our congregation. She was telling me her husband has a tele from the 50's.

[teleman55]

I play in an R&B band but my singer's family does Gospel and he does too. I do Gospel shows with them (did one this weekend) and always bring my Tele. It's perfect for that. Makes a joyous noise. One thing I find is, I don't use my bridge pu alone much with the Gospel. Neck (most often) or middle position.

[rgoudy1975]

Originally Posted by Southpaw Tele

Our drummer at our former church was in "The Crucified", a speed metal band. Haven't seen any "Warlocks" yet at our current one...I should buy one to see what happens, huh?

I used to love The Crucufied. I was in ZAO and now I play a Tele.

[leftycajun]

Originally Posted by leonard d rock

a little off maybe, but last sunday i was listening to a pastor on a radio and he was quoting a passage "about not serving from the same plate" which he explained what we use in church should not be used outside it and exemplified it by saying you cant be a church soloist on sundays and be singing in bars on weekdays. it made me wonder does it apply to guitars also, like the guitar i use in P&W should not be used in rock gigs? i use the same guitars for all my gigs and can't afford to designate guitars exclusively for P&W. any thoughts?

ldr

According to this logic, most of the musicians serving at my church should quit! (and quite a few other churches, i'd be willing to bet) I actually had a hard time with this issue when I was younger. Actually quit a band because I couldn't reconcile playing Awesome God and Master of Puppets at the same gigs.

[MplsTele]

When I'm not playing my Taylor 410 I have my American Deluxe Aged Cherry in hand. Nothing like praising the Almightly with the finest instrument mankind has created!

[bosstone]

No Teles in the church I went to.

[Rich H]

Originally Posted by leonard d rock

a little off maybe, but last sunday i was listening to a pastor on a radio and he was quoting a passage "about not serving from the same plate" which he explained what we use in church should not be used outside it and exemplified it by saying you cant be a church soloist on sundays and be singing in bars on weekdays. it made me wonder does it apply to guitars also, like the guitar i use in P&W should not be used in rock gigs? i use the same guitars for all my gigs and can't afford to designate guitars exclusively for P&W. any thoughts?

ldr

Sounds like religious nonsense to me. Doesn't he know that God goes to bars and rock gigs? Sheesh. He'll be telling his congregation they shouldn't be buying gas or food on a Sunday next! Gets on my nerves that kinda thing!

[Saxguitar]

Today I just recieved my SX STL 50 BSB in the mail. Now I feel like I really belong here, 62 posts and 1 month later and I finally have a tele. Can't wait to break her in on June 7th, what a great worship day that will be, I get to play my new guitar and it is also casual Sunday, which is a blessing since my church doesn't have air conditioning.

[Maddaxe111]

I played a LP standard in a P&W band for awhile, but wasn't happy with my tone, so I went to a tele and never looked back.
But I think the perfect guitar for church would be the "Gretsch White Falcon".




Guitars: Am. tele, 72 thinline

[Parma_TeleMon]

Originally Posted by Saxguitar

Today I just recieved my SX STL 50 BSB in the mail. Now I feel like I really belong here, 62 posts and 1 month later and I finally have a tele. Can't wait to break her in on June 7th, what a great worship day that will be, I get to play my new guitar and it is also casual Sunday.

Congrats, my friend from That State Up North!

I'm on this weekend, too - and it's always casual Sunday at the Vineyard!

[Saxguitar]

Originally Posted by Parma_TeleMon

it's always casual Sunday at the Vineyard!

Aren't you lucky. I would try and dress casual more often but my dad always gives me a glare if I don't at least wear a polo. Ha ha he can't give me a glare this week

[mattyj]

Originally Posted by Maddaxe111

But I think the perfect guitar for church would be the "Gretsch White Falcon".

lol, a friend of mine plays a Gretsch Black Falcon at his church.

[telechaser]

I play mostly Teles in church except when I'm song leading.

[LotusTele]

I've only played my Lotus Tele (butter scotch blonde w/Wilkinson PuP's) once in church. We (the worship band) did a cover of Gaurdians song called "Them Nails".

On a normal basis (when i need to use an electric) I play my Ibanez SZ320 goldtop, or my Knock-off *** Strat (really cool, i did a custom Japanese rising sun paint job on it)

[spencer31st]

We have three electric guitars in our church band, all three are "tele" shaped!

1. Squier Tele (mine)
2. Yahama pacifica (heavily modded with three pickups and a wierd tele/strat pickguard)
3. Ibanez something? (Looks good, sounds good, and has the right shape)

[telechaser]

Originally Posted by Maddaxe111

I played a LP standard in a P&W band for awhile, but wasn't happy with my tone, so I went to a tele and never looked back.
But I think the perfect guitar for church would be the "Gretsch White Falcon".




Guitars: Am. tele, 72 thinline

I use my modded 72 Thinline RI at church too. Soon it'll be my 69ish Tele Thinline when it's finished. Looking forward to it.

[Brian Krashpad]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DickensCPA View Post
I play a Tele at Church, but I'm not sure the people in the congregation would know a Telecaster from a Teletubby.

Originally Posted by Farfel

Same here.

Ditto.

Heck at my last church I played a white Flying V from time to time.

I can see if it has some stickers on it that people might have issues with but complaining/commenting about a given model I've chosen as appropriate?

Butt out!

Prayerfully, of course.