Best Less Expensive Tele - Need To Choose One!

[ssmorga78]

I'm looking to get a 2nd Telecaster and trying to decide which one. I already have a blonde 50s Road Worn. I'm looking at the new Player Tele, a Classic 60s or Baja 60s. $850 is my limit.

I'm not able to compare any of these in the same store - how do they compare tone-wise? Of these, I've only demoed the Player (sadly, it had a much thinner sound than my Road Worn).

A Squier 50s is a possibility as well.

I have had a few Teles and can tell you, that without a doubt .... the best Off The Shelf Tele I have ever picked up has been a Baja 50's Tele. The Soft V neck is one of the most comfortable I have played, the weight just feels good(mine is right at 8lbs 6oz), and the combo of a Broadcaster bridge pickup and Twisted Tele neck pickup with a 4way switch and S1 volume pot are GREAT!!!

 

[Charlodius]

I have four Teles. Right now my fav player is a partscaster I spent less than $120 on that has a set of hot for tele Duncans in it.

 

[telesaurusus]

I'm looking to get a 2nd Telecaster and trying to decide which one. I already have a blonde 50s Road Worn. I'm looking at the new Player Tele, a Classic 60s or Baja 60s. $850 is my limit.

I'm not able to compare any of these in the same store - how do they compare tone-wise? Of these, I've only demoed the Player (sadly, it had a much thinner sound than my Road Worn).

A Squier 50s is a possibility as well.

I tell people rather than look for a specific guitar, look for something used and put the exact components on it that you're looking for. Make some offers out on eBay, you'd be surprised and what someone may be willing to accept. We play the necks, we don't play the bodies. I have put Warmoth '59 roundback necks and other profiles on older standards and even mexk'ns if you're looking for a handful of neck, go with the 59. One of my Teles is a mexk'n body, kingwood fret board, 21 jumbo hard frets in vintage tint satin. You won't find anything like that in a store at a reasonable price, if you even find anything close. You get to choose numerous fingerboards, frets, and finishes. I push satin finish for playability. The same goes for pickups. You don't need a guitar if you're looking for a tone change. Sometimes it's as simple as a cap and resistor tweak. Your money tends to go a little further this way and you don't have to settle for whatever you find. In my opinion anyway.

 

[anthrotony]

without hesitation, I'd recommend a used G&L ASAT. Not the Tribute. I wanted a great Strat and bought a 2002 G&L Legacy - only 500GBP and the best strat I've ever played. ASAT next for me!

 

[bryanburnett]

If you are not married to it saying Fender on the headstock you can pick up a Reverend eastsider Pete Anderson signature in your price range, and I think that guitar slays similarly priced new Fenders, or at the very least is more consistent. You sometimes find that one squire or mim that is just magic though

 

[TPWastewater]

Got a new Squire Bullet Modified Blackout Tele $195. Perfect for swapping in Seymour Duncan Hotcats (pots needed swapping, too). What great fat, articulate sound and playability. I've had a couple of touring pros play this and they didn't want to put it down! Beofre and after:

 

[gibson11]

vintage icon telecaster, new for 500

 

[MonkeyJefferson]

For $850, I'd sit with someone who knew their gear and build the perfect partscaster.

 

[OzShadow]

I would find a nice, new or nearly new MIM Standard in the $400ish range, hopefully on the lighter end then buy a really good set of pickups.

 

[DanDII]

I agree, My CV 50's tele has what I would call a medium c on the thinner end of scale. About a .83 to .94. Hardly what I would call a super thin neck. It's also the best playing tele I own despite 3 attempts at trying build a better one.
It's also very light despite countless reports of them being heavy guitars. Some fool actually returned it helping me to own it for $220 delivered. Best money I ever spent on a guitar.

My CV 50s is an '08 and has similar neck measurements as to depth and taper. Unlike others tho the neck measures 1.69” exactly at the nut.

I've no idea when the nut measurement was reduced.

 

[maggieo]

Troll Reverb for a nice used one that calls out to you.