Help With Tele Choice

[Ciro]

I haven't owned a Tele in a while. Frankly, I am overwhelmed by the choices. Can anyone point me in some direction based on my criteria? A Nashville Tele would be great, but anything at this point would be considered.

Medium jumbo frets.
Do not like thin necks.
Six saddle bridge.
Probably a maple fretboard.
Pickups don't much matter as I will likely change them, but singles, not humbuckers.
At this point in my life, I need a fairly light guitar. Not sure any one model can guarantee that.
One with the typical pot, switch plate, not the pickguard style of the semi-hollows.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Old Plank]

There's lots of great builders on this forum ... line one up and you can get exactly what you want to order! Otherwise, hit as many stores as possible and play as many models as you can.

 

[Ciro]

There's lots of great builders on this forum ... line one up and you can get exactly what you want to order! Otherwise, hit as many stores as possible and play as many models as you can.

This was a bit if a desperate attempt to narrow down the possibilities, but you are right. Thanks!

 

[kuch]

Something like this might work for you: lightweight, pickguard, med jumbo frets, 6 saddle bridge, 9.5R maple fretboard, medium chunky neck. '04 USA G&L Asat Classic Thinline/Semi hollow

btw I don't like the thinline "type" pickguards either. Lucked out when I found this guitar.

 

[drmordo]

Honestly, the simplest way to get exactly what you want is probly ordering the neck from Warmoth with your specs, then buy a loaded Fender body off of ebay or reverb. All you have to do is bolt the neck on and string it up.

 

[pipthepilot]

It's a shame you don't like the pickguard shape of the Thinline as otherwise this guitar would meet all your requirements. Britt Daniel Tele® Thinline | Electric Guitars (fender.com)

Thinlines are a really nice weight, less than 3kg (6.7lb). The one above has Med/Jumbo frets, a deep neck, six saddle bridge, maple fretboard and single coil pickups.

Alternatively, try looking for a Fender TN SPL J-Craft Thinline. These are Thinlines with the standard Pot/Pot/Switch plate. The pickguard is not exactly standard as it profiles around the F hole. It also has a humbucker in the neck position but this can easily be replaced with a single coil as it mounts to the pickguard.

Alternatively, why not build a Partscaster and choose all the bits you want?

 

[MelodicBend]

I was extremely close to getting a Nashville Tele for most of the reasons you are considering one. Most of them have the extra fretboard width and radius neck that you're looking. I understand you perfectly. Haha.

I know embarrassingly little about wiring pickups but can tell you that a little bit of hackery is involved with Nashville pickup mounting and wiring to get the signal correct. I'm sure you're way ahead of me though and know all about it. If not, there's no shortage of useful information from other members.

I like the industrial look if the vintage bridge, but the 90's - 2000's Standard generation before the American Professional series should have what you're looking for by default.

Enjoy the hunt and don't forget to show off once you aquire your next Telecaster.

 

[Ciro]

It's a shame you don't like the pickguard shape of the Thinline as otherwise this guitar would meet all your requirements. Britt Daniel Tele® Thinline | Electric Guitars (fender.com)

Thinlines are a really nice weight, less than 3kg (6.7lb). The one above has Med/Jumbo frets, a deep neck, six saddle bridge, maple fretboard and single coil pickups.

Alternatively, try looking for a Fender TN SPL J-Craft Thinline. These are Thinlines with the standard Pot/Pot/Switch plate. The pickguard is not exactly standard as it profiles around the F hole. It also has a humbucker in the neck position but this can easily be replaced with a single coil as it mounts to the pickguard.

Alternatively, why not build a Partscaster and choose all the bits you want?

It's not so much the shape of the pickguard that bothers me. Access to the electronics is much easier with the small chrome plate than having to remove everything.

A partscaster, maybe, but the cost adds up pretty quickly and the resale is bad. And you really don't know what you will get until it is completed. Had a custom guitar made for me once and the entire experience was a disaster. There must be something that is already available and will work with a few tweaks.

Short of the Nashville Player series, the two pickup Player has caught my attention for now.

 

[Ciro]

Something like this might work for you: lightweight, pickguard, med jumbo frets, 6 saddle bridge, 9.5R maple fretboard, medium chunky neck. '04 USA G&L Asat Classic Thinline/Semi hollow

btw I don't like the thinline "type" pickguards either. Lucked out when I found this guitar.

View attachment 1058005

That is hot. I bet they aren't readily available though, yes?

 

[kuch]

That is hot. I bet they aren't readily available though, yes?

Not sure about availability.
I found mine on our local CL. It's in mint condition and came with a HSC. I saw a few on Re verb with the traditional tele pickguard when I was thinking of getting this one and trying to figure out how much to offer for it.

If you were closer, you could come over and try it out.

Good luck in your search

edit: you could order one from G&L with your preferred specs. I don't think it would approach custom shop prices.