Best used telecaster model on a 500-600$ budget?

I'm sure you can easily find a MIM Standard for that price and probably even have change left over. Perfectly good guitar, especially if you don't mind changing some parts out to suit your taste. I'm not sure if this has changed over time, but my 2018 has a 9.5" radius. I changed the six-saddle bridge for a vintage-style one with compensated saddles and I love it. I may change the pickups at some point, but only out of curiosity, really.

 

Sit on your money -- maybe save a little bit more -- and be on the lookout for an American Standard 2012-17. Twisted tele / broadcaster pickups, 9.5 radius with hefty frets, needs nothing to play on any stage in the world. Just a great guitar. Some controversy about the Strat-style bent steel saddles & the gut cut but they work fine for me. If you want a more traditional tele, the American Special was a little cheaper new & should be used, too. But the Standard plays / sounds better to my ear.

 

I agree entirely. Another couple of hundred and you're looking at an MIA that won't need any mods.

 

06 Fender Special Edition Koa - MIK, Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups, Koa top and birds eye maple neck. I swapped the pick guard for a matte black and the bridge for a Gotoh modern 6 saddle. If I had to give one up it would be a tough decision between this and my Am. Standard.



Looks like they just sold one on Reverb right in your price range.
https://reverb.com/item/13906364-fender-special-edition-koa-telecaster-2006

 

At least in South Carolina, I would say there's no real increased probability that a USA Fender will need less modifications than a MIM will. If you bear in mind the selection of various MIM models is huge next to USA choices, that means the MIM model that already has the features you want is more within reach in this price area.

I think people replace parts on MIMs more than USA out of an inferiority complex that's not justified. I own way too many of both and I will say frankly, I have made way more modifications to my USA Fenders than to my MIM Fenders. That's a fact. Because "nice, but not just so" USA Fenders get bought when they're available cheap and then you have to start changing things. With the MIMs, there's so many you may as well wait for the close to perfect ones - and so I have and do.

 

American Special, all day every day.

 

I love the neck shape and jumbo frets on my American Special. The Texas Special pickups are great too.

 

A player may like a guitar as-is, but that’s different from ‘doesn’t need mods.’ Every guitar needs mods.

James Burton Standard Telecaster, MIM, 9 1/2” radius, vintage frets, satin neck, medium U-profile that’s unique to the JB models, Texas Special pickups, and a ‘vintage’ 6-saddle bridge you might want to replace.

People buy these just for the neck. Uncommon, used, and you might need another $50, or so.

 

Classic 50s, if you can find one, nitro or poly.

 

Here's one for you, $600.00, currently listed on Reverb. No idea about seller but would seem to fit your criteria. Note the upgrades:


https://reverb.com/item/27173222-fender-classic-player-baja-telecaster-2018-sunburst-with-upgrades

 

This is a GREAT recommendation. Find the Candy Apple Red one, and you're set. No mods needed.

 

I know you said you know about the Baja, but the 60s Baja is different and is worth looking at if you want a C shaped neck & rosewood fretboard.
I paid $600 for mine used w/ hsc. Since I've owned it I've not thought once about any mods.

 

Go hunt yourself down a Jim Root Tele, only wish they made lefties!

 

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Get a used MIM American Special, often $300-$450 range. Add a $12 4-way switch for the series option. Set pickup heights by ear.
A used MIM Player Series would be good too, but I haven't seen any used local ones yet. Same thing, add a 4-way switch and play it.

+1, Lol.

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huh? American Special was made in California, last time I checked.

 

+1 What he said. I go by the 60% rule. I'll buy and I sell well maintained stuff at 60% of what it was new.
Still miss my ole Am Spec. Got a Tele I like better so all's good. I bought it for $970 and sold it for $600.
They're out there.

 

He probably means a MIM Standard, the version before the Player Series.

 

These threads make me crazy. There is no answer! There are a million great guitars, get out there and start playing them until you find one that speaks to you. Nobody has done all the research needed to definitively answer your question anyhow, they just say which ones they like or have owned.
I've had several teles in my life, I could tell you which one was my favorite but who knows if the one for sale in your area is even remotely similar. All of my favorite guitars have been ones I fell in love with while playing or lucked into.

 

The Texas Special pups sound great, and pretty hot.