introduction to the Tele Guitar

[Key_Of_Off]

I had this sound in my head I was chasing. For years I lusted after Les Pauls, and figured that was the promised land. One day I was watching YouTube videos of people demoing LPs, but one of them also had a video where he was playing a 52RI. I clicked on it out of curiosity and realized THAT was the sound I was imagining. One MIM and one Partscaster later it's true love.

 

[Greenmachine]

I swore I would never like country music as a lad.

In my thirties I discovered George Jones. "The race is on." That guitar solo had that tele sound.

It was downhill from there.

 

[Robert H.]

I’m older than you Don - turning 69 any day now. And I started playing guitar in a NY suburb in 1968. Started with a Gibson B 25. But I loved Hendrix and Allman then Wes and Benson, but not the Tele. Then I saw Roy Buchanan at Townhall in NYC in ‘71 I think. And I was wowed. I liked the Stones and Keith’s rocking on the Tele but I didn’t get the real urge to get one until I saw the movie Crossroads in the late 90’s. Movie was ok - but I fell for that late 60’s (or early 70’s) Tele. I bought a ‘72 a couple of years later and have traded, bought and sold my way up the Tele food chain. I love those guitars - the simplest of virtually all electrics - which can do almost anything our hands and hearts can manage. Thanks for the thread.

 

[Dr Kensington]

Before ever playing electric guitar or any guitar for that matter my friend Dean Brennenman bought a Telecaster. I didn't know what it was but I remember it was more money than I could have imagined. I think we were in seventh grade and it cost a couple hundred bucks. I did see Danny Gatton at the Psychedeli or Cellar Door and then later became a Commander Cody fan. Danny, and Bill Kirchen and John Tichy of Lost Planet Airmen of course play teles. So anyway, fast forward 40 years or so I was given a MIM Strat and an amp and started messing with this electrified nonsense after playing fiddle tunes on my acoustics over the four decades. Went to a music store locally to buy a strap and walked out with an American Standard Tele. Still don't know exactly how that happened. I don't remember how to play bluegrass anymore. . .

 

[telemnemonics]

Funny route, like @Peegoo said I used to watch Hee Haw for the music which I loved as a kid, BUT I never associated music with the shapes of the instruments, guess I assumed the musicians made the music sounds? Just wasnt "into guitars" at first, only the music.
Funnier still, the band that made me want to play music was The Band, with Robbie who was associated with the Tele, yet again, I had no interest in what brand and body shape the guitar might have been.

Played ten years mostly Strats before even handling a Tele.
My actual interest in the Tele came about when I went to the NYC Vintage guitar show circa 1990 and what may have become Musikraft, had a pile of unfinished swamp ash Tele bodies for $95 each. They were cool, just hunks of wood.
IIRC I bought a '69 Tele bridge pickup, and a used Tele bridge at the show along with the body which I slathered some Tung oil on and assembled basically an Esquire which I did not even know was a guitar model.
The pickup read 6.1k DCR and shrieked throuh my Plexi 100.
Must have asked some old timers at guitar shops then mixed paraffin and beeswax to pot the pickup, a couple of times, so it did not squeal but DID work as a microphone.
Still dont really care for the neck pickup, usually take them out on the rare ocassion I buy a whole guitar.

Fell in love with the Esquire and stayed loyal, though of course I do play around some with other fiddles...

Also kind of odd is that while I always loved real Country music (before glam country), I have no interest in chicken pickin, Dyna Comps, twangy guitar etc.
It is the honest simple clear clean tone and response, close to an acoustic guitar, that I like from the Esquire.

 

[alpharainbow]

I saw Frank Black playing a blue Tele. I had joined an indie band and it seemed reasonable that I too needed a blue Telecaster. So I bought a G&L Asat Classic in the early 90s.

 

[Stubee]

My first meeting with a Telecaster was maybe 25 years ago? My local shop took in a ‘72 Telecaster, a lightweight blue model and the price they put on it was low because the case had been wet and the guitar’s lower bout was stained. I bought it and discovered it wasn’t really a stain, just some surface mold that I easily removed from the paint. It had a fairly thick RW neck and played well, but I just didn’t know how to make it sound good to me so I consigned it at a bigger shop & more than doubled my money.

Years passed and I was looking at Strats—my electric thing then—and saw a cool one for sale on somewhere online. The seller, Jere Mendelsohn, was a member here and as we negotiated he encouraged me to check out this site because it was really cool. I bought and still have the Strat and did start looking at TDPRI. Well, any guitar player that hangs around here for long is gonna get very interested in Telecasters if he ain’t already so soon enough I had to try one. I bought a ‘50s Classic with Nocaster pickups from a member here, then a ‘60s Classic locally. I put the ‘60s neck on the ‘50s because it fit my hand better and started using it with my local players, mostly the neck or middle position because I couldn’t figure out the bridge pup.

Next came a very nice AV’52 RI that sounded great but the neck was a bit much for my old arthritic thumb, so I kept reading about other Teles & looking around and in 2007 I saw another used guitar for sale on EBay, an AV62 RI. I talked to the kid who owned and decided to get it. It was a pretty well played guitar that I fell in love with when I opened the case. It weighs 7 lb even, the neck fits my hand beautifully and for some reason I started digging the bridge pickup for the first time and it’s now where I spend 90% + of my playing time! Ask my wife if I love this guitar because she’s heard that about 1,000 times!

 

[James824]

My first "good" guitar was a used ES335 purchased in 1973 while in High School.

For many ears after was primarily a Gibson player. A series of Les Pauls, 335s and SGs rotated through my arsenals.
About 15 years ago during a weekly visit to Wildwood Guitars, I noticed a used Am Std Tele on the wall. Up until this time, I had played a few Teles (and G&Ls), but never owned a Fender Tele. Pulled it off the wall and kinda liked it. After playing it for awhile, Steve came over and offered me a ridiculous price on it, Could not resist so home she came.. At first it didn't seem very special. Funny thing though, as time went on it was always the guitar I reached for first.
Eventually, I sold off most of my guitars and only kept 2 electrics and 1 acoustic.
The 2 I kept were Teles. As I get older and older, they still feel the most comfortable to me.
Recently inherited a few bucks from a deceased family member and elected to purchase another guitar, in their memory. Went straight to Gibson

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

I started playing guitar in the 90s. I was a tween and fell in love with blues and bluesy players like SRV, Clapton, and Hendrix. So, naturally I went for the Strat. If I thought about Teles at all, it was just to think they were ugly and boxy where the Strat was all sexy curves. I never played one or knew anyone who did.

I stopped playing guitar (with the exception of occasional acoustic noodling) from about 2003 to 2021, when I picked it back up during the pandemic, like a lot of people. The biggest change since the last time I regularly played was the advent of Youtube. I used it as a resource for all the stuff I'd forgotten or never bothered to learn (songs, theory, gear, etc.) I started to notice that the majority of the folks I saw and liked on Youtube were playing Teles. They were playing every genre with one guitar, and getting amazing tones.

So, I went out and tried a few Squiers at my local Sam Ash. Most didn't speak to me, but the one that did got its hooks in me good. Now it's my #1, and there's no going back.

 

[Jim W]

Seeing Ray Davies, John McNally, Jeff Beck and Don Rich on TV, later Joe Walsh with the Measles and the James Gang in the bars.

 

[TurtlesnTanlines]

Growing up I always disliked the looks of two things- Pickup Trucks & Teles.
First guitar was a LP copy. Never jived with it.

Got this quilted blue Ibanez RG which I loved. That model introduced me to more understated, but strong looks and it became ‘my trademark guitar’ that everyone knew me for in my college band.

Girlfriend broke up with me, so decided Id gift myself a ‘breakup guitar’ tuned half step down for Blues style playing. I came across the Blonde Nashville Tele pictured in my profile pic..and for loved it. I refused to be cliche with a Strat (Mayer was huge), hated trems, but loved this hidden gem that had a wide nut and flat fretboard.

That got me hooked. Fast forward a few years and I was driving a Silverado and playing primarily Teles. Then a few years ago, discovered the Tele Ultra in Texas Tea and the that was the nail in the coffin.

My love for them is that they are a blank slate in which everyone seem to play a different one that fits their personality. And you never know what genre they’re about to pull out!

 

[Telecaster582]

I discovered the Telecaster last year (lol) I'd been playing for four years already and the only electric guitar I had was a cheap Les Paul copy thing. I really didn't explore different types of guitars, I just played what I had and was content with it. Then I had this desire to build my own guitar, not even knowing how to pronounce Tele. I watched tons of videos and learned about the history of the Telecaster. At first I thought the body shape was ugly and for some reason that's why I chose it, and then used like all of my Christmas and birthday money (I was thirteen and had no job lol) to buy all the parts. It took like 7 months to make it, but it was definitely worth it. At first styled after a 52, I've now modded it to look like something unique.

 

[Censport]

Born and raised in Nashville. They were - and are - everywhere here. But I didn't buy a Tele until '96, after I had been playing over a dozen years, for some pop and blues work. Now I have nine of the dang things, with all sorts of pickup configurations.

 

[Troubleandahalf]

My first real guitar. My dad bought me a Candy apple red knock off. So uncool felt my teenage self. I wanted an Explorer, or a pointy headed SuperStrat.
Fast forward 16 years. I decided to take up playing again, visit the local store in Kaltenkirchen Germany and I really liked a blonde MIM Tele. I was surprised it sounded the best of all I played, but I'd gotten over myself by then and like what I like.
However it was 200 euro more than the MIM Strat so I went Lake Placid Blue and played that all over the place for years.
2011 I am bored with my arsenal and start trying to generate GAS. I find people raving about the Classic Vibe Teles, including here. Ordered from Thomann and that's been my true number one ever since.

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

Here I go: ok?
My introduction to, the Telecaster Guitar,
it was the year 2000 I started a new Job,
Helping with production of the Fender Lace Sensor's,
Lace USA Guitars, Lace Pickups.
___ Fred Stuart knew Jeff Lace, so I got to meet Fred,
What a great person! - we became good friends too, Fred would,
always tell me "Your in the Industry Now, You need the Original Plank"
a Tele he said they all do... It's part of being on the inside, Problem was,
Money and $ min. wage in 2000 was the Pits~
a good used 52-reissue was $1200.00
So Jeff Lace donated the Sound Rooms $99.00 Sam Ash
SQUIRE AFFINITY made in China Tele 1998?
as its paint was chipping away. - It was the best Gift in my Life!
but at the Time I received it I had no clue it could be so good!
I played Teles in stores and at the Vintage and Namm Shows for the next
5-years and I never felt one that worked as well for me as my $99 Squire
Now I did mod it right away
* removed the chipping white paint
* added Kluson Tuners
* added Fender headstock logo '70s
* added Seymour Duncan Broadcaster and 5/2 Neck
* Crazy Glued the saddles from sliding (spreading outward)
* Black 5- Hole Pickguard
Not much really ( I took flack for using Duncan's -
but I just would mentioned I really needed Single Coil Vintage to experience "the Plank"
and we did not make those) it was part of my TRAINING~ at least as far as I was concerned-
The guitar has been with me 22 years over 100 Teles I have tested ( or more) in 22-years
None allow me to hit the notes and Flow thru a tune like this one - its as if this $99 Tele Gift was from beyond!
From 2002 thru 2009 I was trying to keep my Band Buck Cannon going - this Tele was always the main #1
Thanks to Fred and Jeff - I had a hell of a Introduction to the Telecaster Guitar - before that I had a Strat MIJ and a Gibson Norlin Gold Top Les Paul that I had since 1981 - no Tele. (apologies for my typed words- think of them as careless__ short hand__) you guys have always been good about not pestering over typo's or grammar -- after all this is Short Hand like fun talk forum - not the Writers Guild Forum or a Low Place to be. DON MARE soon to be age-65 in 6 weeks-- ( we gotta keep *movin' - don't stop)https://www.youtube.com/user/60svibe/playlists <----Buck Cannon Band - You can hear this same telecaster guitar on most all the Buck Cannon Clips YouTube's (And YES it still has those same Duncan's today!) Broadcaster & 5/2 Nashville neck

I was hitching and offered a few days to crash at my rides place because I wasn't looking so good.
While I stayed at her place for a few days, she entertained me playing her guitar, it was a telecaster with a natural finish. I loved how she played .

 

[Stinger22]

Would have been around 1969-70. In high school. Had been playing acoustic and was asked to join a band but I had no electric. The bass player, TBP, knew a guy who had one but couldn't play. A Tele must have been a mid-60's he had painted psychedelic colors. He also had a Standell amp and a Vox Tone Bender. We were doing The Who and Mountain and Zeppelin. Man that thing would scream. Never went anywhere with the band but got hooked on Teles. Got my first about 76 a Custom natural finish I still have although a frankentele at this point. My goto is still my 60th Tele Anniversary model.

 

[stormsedge]

About ten years ago, an acquaintance offered me an '06 burst Nashville Deluxe he just couldn't bond with...I paid what was probably market value for it. It was/is pristine...still have it. I had a love/hate with it for a few years...read along in the forums for a period...then realized the problem with that particular guitar was the setup (duh and duoh!). At some stage in the past, an owner had had this guitar setup with a super-low action requiring a very delicate touch. Having hammer hands, I raised the action just a smidge...BAM, problem solved. Bought a second one last June with different pickups 'cause I liked the first so much.

 

[Brent Hutto]

Going on 20 years ago I was pretty close to a newbie classical and acoustic guitar player but wanted to branch out into electric. Somehow (probably this forum) I got convinced that what I needed was a Telecaster, a small Tube amp like a Champ, an overdrive pedal and the key was to just lock onto the bridge pickup and practice until I could get a pushed single-ended tube amp to sing.

A few months of complete frustration and hating what I was hearing drove me back into acoustic music after just a few months. In retrospect, I either misread the instructions or horribly botched the execution of that intended plan. Just awful noises, digging in with my nylon-string guitar long fingernails and firm right hand technique.

So when I once again experienced the electric guitar urge a year ago I decided not to repeat that mistake. I was going to flatpick it, stick with a clean SS amp and get me something with a wide, flat fretboard and a pair of humbuckers. Play on the neck, roll off the tone, maybe learn to play some jazzy stuff. Or something like that, I was a little vague on the details!

That was ALMOST the perfect plan. The tip of a little "jazz pick" is much easier to use on electric than classical-style fingernails. Clean amps are definitely my thing and bridge pickups are definitely not my thing. I also make a good choice this time around by forgoing any drive pedals but getting some delay on board. Really fills out even basic, slow playing nicely.

But my Ibanez with a 16" radius wide/thin shredder neck and hot ceramic humbuckers? Not so much.

After six months the missing piece fell into place. I played every kind of solid body guitar known to man in a couple of local stores and I'll be darned if I didn't end up right back with a Telecaster in my lap. Neck pickup? Smooooooth as can be, roll off the Tone and it's even smoother. Middle position? Sweet! Bog standard Fender 9.5 radius neck, medium jumbo frets? Oh yeah.

And hey, the 9's that Fender puts on there sound pretty great too. No need to go up to 11's (or briefly 12's) like I tried on my first rodeo. Easy playings.

So that's my story. I play that sucker every day and just this week stumbled into my first taste of "hybrid picking" where I'm mostly using the flatpick but I grab an extra couple strings with my middle and ring fingers for added color. This is going to be a fun ride.

 

[johnnyASAT]

I used to be on the hunt for an archtop after playing only my acoustic for years and eventually realized that the stuff in my price range was not going to give me what I wanted. So I started looking for alternative jazz tone vehicles and knew that teles were a favorite of guys that I liked like Tim Lerch and Ed Bickert. My first “tele” ended up being a G&L ASAT Classic, with a clearance player joining the stable more recently. Before I had appreciated Gibson style guitars more aesthetically. I’ve always liked tele sounds but could never get into the look, which I’ve since come to appreciate. I think for me my brain needs to see a transparent finish to take teles more “seriously” which is irrational and kind of stupid but what are you gonna do you know? The heart wants what the heart wants.

 

[Martocaster]

I hit 40 and suddenly wondered why I'd never owned a Tele!

I picked up a second hand Classic Vibe and loved it, then purchased one the limited edition US Cabronitas in gold, that was a great guitar but the pickups didn't do it for me. Next I got a road worn and liked that so much that I got a road worn Strat to go with it.

Finally I got a JV '60s Modified a couple of weeks ago. I've sold each as I've gone along though so the JV is my only Tele currently.