Considering Tele Custom Shop

[Peegoo]

Perhaps a Fender Mod Shop may fill the bill for you.

 

[NeverTooLate]

If you are still unsure about basics like fret wire size, why pay through the nose? You don't actually know what you want at this point.

If you have to ask about an upgrade, you don't need it/are not ready yet. When you are, you won't feel the need to ask. You will know exactly what and exactly why you want. That's my rule of thumb and it has saved me a lot of money and hassle over two hobbies

 

[TeleBackelaer]

As far as red goes, I’ve had eyes for Fiesta Red lately. Red but not overdone at all.

+1 on this. Slightly faded fiesta red with binding and a mint pickguard looks so damn good on a tele imo.

 

[gwjensen]

If you are still unsure about basics like fret wire size, why pay through the nose? You don't actually know what you want at this point.

If you have to ask about an upgrade, you don't need it/are not ready yet. When you are, you won't feel the need to ask. You will know exactly what and exactly why you want. That's my rule of thumb and it has saved me a lot of money and hassle over two hobbies

100%, and it can take many years and many guitars before you finally know exactly what you like.

 

[Ljislink24]

If you are still unsure about basics like fret wire size, why pay through the nose? You don't actually know what you want at this point.

If you have to ask about an upgrade, you don't need it/are not ready yet. When you are, you won't feel the need to ask. You will know exactly what and exactly why you want. That's my rule of thumb and it has saved me a lot of money and hassle over two hobbies

Your right, but not knowing fret wire size doesn't mean He's not ready for an upgrade. I've been playing awhile & have a custom built strat and have no idea what the fret wire is made of or what size it is. I just know I love it and would want that on a guitar. I recently bought a Fender PP tele and don't like the fret size near as much as what's on the strat. I'm not changing it, I don't have the money for an upgrade I can live with it. I don't think you need to "know" exact details, you just need to know what you like & have the money to get ya there

 

[BluesOwl]

@CarterAshcraft12

Look at the JV Modified 60s Telecaster...bound body...v neck shape...traditional hardware.

That'd be the one for me and close to what you want I'd guess.

 

[burntfrijoles]

The reason to go to Custom Shop is what the OP described. Getting a Fender Tele exactly how he wants it.
Color
choice of body wood and binding if desired
NOS or any of the degree of relic, closet classic etc
Neck Profile (IMO the most important decision a buy makes)
Pickup configuration
Hardware
Sorting for light weight
fingerboard selection (sorting for dark rosewood if that's your choice or maybe the choice of quartersawn or figured neck)
and whatever else you can think of

In short, it's the concept of your "signature" guitar and it's very personal when you choose to go that way.

Quality wise, it's not going to be much better than an AO or other high end production guitar but that's not really the point. It's the personalization and getting what you want. Yes, you're going to pay a premium to have the Fender spaghetti logo on the headstock. That's a decision only the buyer can make if choosing the Custom Shop versus a true "boutique" builder.

 

[rze99]

I make my own. You can buy guitars with features you want, out the parts together and part out the bits you don't want. You'll get decent money for parts.

 

[somebodyelseuk]

I just can't seem to find a tele model that captures everything I would want without sending it to a local luthier to get it where I want which would take months and lots of money, leading me to consider doing a custom shop order and just getting what I want.

I'd be going for an early 50s tele tonally, but with modifications. First off, I need a double bound tele bad. They're too awesome. Second, I am not a fan of butterscotch blonde personally. I'd probably go with either a different transparent color, sonic blue, or some version of red (not candy apple). Third, I may opt to go with a hum bucker in the neck, and possibly a Strat pickup slapped in the middle position, with Brent Mason wiring. Not sure if I want maple or rosewood board yet. Maple may sound better for my use, but rosewood with those aged clay dots is awesome.

Things I need absolutely would be an ash body, early 50s pickups (blackguard maybe), thicker neck, though U shape may be too big for me. Thicker 50s body.

Let me know if y'all think it would be worth going the CS route for this or if I could find this in a base model and possibly do some (expensive) modifications to get this on my own.

If you're relying on anyone else to do it, it's going to take months/years and cost a lot of money.
If you do it yourself, and you want to do it properly, assuming you have the skills, it's going to take months and a lot of money.
If you try doing it on the cheap... it'll still end up costing more than you wanted to spend, and it might be crap.

The waiting list on CS guitars when I bought mine two years ago was 14 months, and mine was an 'off the peg' model.

Only way I see you getting bound ash and the neck profile is either the/'a' Custom Shop or Warmoth (other custom body/neck builders are available). That's a grand and three month wait already.