‘62 Stratocaster or ‘66 Telecaster - which would you go for?

[63 Junior]

Hi Guys!

Long time lurker, but I’m recently joined! I’ve got a nice collection of early 60s Gibson, but no Fenders as of yet. So, I’m hoping you guys could help me out a bit.

I’m a bit torn between a 1962 Stratocaster, and a 1966 Telecaster.

I’ll give you the rundown in a bit. First of though, I love both of the these. But, to be honest with you - and I do hope I’m not offending anyone here - the resale value/ease of moving it on in case I find “the one” later, is a concern. With that said, I’m not planning to do so, just a precaution you know. I’d like to keep it around for the foreseeable future.

So, the guitars in question then; the ‘62 Stratocaster is an Olympic white refin by Clive Brown. Other than that, it has a rewound bridge pickup, two filled holes in the original pickguard, a five-way switch, frets and nut. Otherwise original. It has the veneer, so no slab.

The telecaster is a ‘66 and this one is all original. It is a custom color Fiesta red. A bit worn, and the white undercoat is visible in some areas. Untouched electronics, even original frets. I think it is Brazilian. Has the Klusson tuners, so not the F-stamped ones. Weighs 7.6 lbs, so pretty normal weight I guess. Has the Ashtray too. The pickguard has a tiny bit broken off.

Telecaster is a bit cheaper, by about 4000€. Which one would you guys lean towards? Please tell me why! And, of course I’m aware of the fact that this is a Tele forum.

All the best,
L

 

[stephent2]

The instrument that has original parts will always be worth more. You didn't mention $$s, but if I were laying out the cash, the tele of course.

 

[pippoman]

The Tele. Aside from being in original condition with original parts, the 60s Teles were great players; the necks are a perfect fit for my hands. I’m not a collector though, so I can’t speak from that perspective. I couldn’t see me shelling out that kinda scratch for either one even if I had the means, but I probably would spring for a CS made to my specs. In fact, I may do so in the near future.

 

[brookdalebill]

Howdy and welcome!

 

[ndcaster]

The tele. Then send it to me (born '66) for ... good luck?

Congrats on either!

 

[clydethecat]

Both.

 

[El Tele Lobo]

I’m going to vote tele every time.

 

[Toadtele]

That strat is sweet but I vote tele.

 

[monkeybanana]

Normally that Strat would be worth more but the Tele is a custom color. It's hard to say what people will do in the future but these are Fenders... Which one plays better? Do you have other guitars? Already having Strats and Teles I love I would be happy with either one of these. If I could only have one guitar it would be a Tele and I would pick a year with a good feeling neck. But living in a free world I would also have a Strat, which I do. I guess I didn't really answer LOL.

 

[JDB2]

Whichever you enjoy playing more.

 

[MrBassmans]

9 out of 10 tele's are great. 1 out of 10 strat's are great.

If it's a great strat I'd go with that. If it's a dog no.

For me to spend big bucks on a tele it's got to have a light swamp ash body.

 

[msalama]

Hiya mate and welcome!

I'd go for the early CBS Telecaster, myself. They were, by and large, still made to the same specs as the '65 L-series guitars, plus an all original Fiesta Red beats a refin every time in my book anyway. And sweet guitars with great neck profiles they tend to be too!

 

[Cali Dude]

Definitely go for the original Tele. It has so much vibe with that custom color.

 

[Holy smokes]

only from your description I would go for the all original 66. I think you could sell either one pretty easily.

 

[63 Junior]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the inputs, guys! I’m leaning more towards the Tele, I think.

 

[63 Junior]

The instrument that has original parts will always be worth more. You didn't mention $$s, but if I were laying out the cash, the tele of course.

11 and 15, but I think the tele could be mine for 9!

 

[63 Junior]

The tele. Then send it to me (born '66) for ... good luck?

Congrats on either!

Haha, you’re on this years Christmas list, then

 

[63 Junior]

Normally that Strat would be worth more but the Tele is a custom color. It's hard to say what people will do in the future but these are Fenders... Which one plays better? Do you have other guitars? Already having Strats and Teles I love I would be happy with either one of these. If I could only have one guitar it would be a Tele and I would pick a year with a good feeling neck. But living in a free world I would also have a Strat, which I do. I guess I didn't really answer LOL.

Haha! Yes, the custom color makes it extra cool! The Stratocaster being refinished doesn’t bother me too much - seeing it has been done by Clive - but the rewound pickup, the switch and pickguard has me a bit worried in terms of me being unhappy with it. I realize this makes me sound like a cork sniffer, but I assure you these are getting used to make music - I just enjoy “untouched”, at least in terms of electronics and hardware (the exception being frets and nut, mind you). The Tele plays great. A little weight to it, but not the worst.

I’ve got no Fenders, actually! Previously ive had both Telecasters and Stratocasters, all made in Mexico. As for vintage you could say I’m a Gibson guy, I guess. As of now ive got a 1961 ES175D, 1963 SG (Les Paul) Junior, 1964 ES345, and a 1964 SG Special. All untouched, except the above mentioned frets and nut, with one pot on being changed out in the Special as well.

 

[63 Junior]

9 out of 10 tele's are great. 1 out of 10 strat's are great.

If it's a great strat I'd go with that. If it's a dog no.

For me to spend big bucks on a tele it's got to have a light swamp ash body.

The Tele plays great, so does the Strat Stuff holding me back with regards to the strat is the bridge pickup. When it comes to the Tele, it would be the weight! 7.6 is a bit heavy, no? What do you think for a ‘66?

 

[63 Junior]

Hiya mate and welcome!

I'd go for the early CBS Telecaster, myself. They were, by and large, still made to the same specs as the '65 L-series guitars, plus an all original Fiesta Red beats a refin every time in my book anyway. And sweet guitars with great neck profiles they tend to be too!

Can’t get over how cool the Fiesta looks! This is all nitro, being pre ‘67, and that is cool as well. Would you trust it being a Brazilian?