NGD $129 Ash Blonde

[Grodad]

I have had this for a couple of weeks now so thought I'd post it here with my thoughts.
I ordered this just to see what I could get for $129 AUD delivered (thats about $92 US), free shipping. I expected just to use the body and maybe a neck to build something from but it turned out the whole guitar is great. Anyhow Belfield Music had slashed the prices on these guitars. I think they go for around 250-300 bucks on these normally.
What I got was:
- What looks to be a solid piece of ash, or a very closely matched two piece, I can't see a join.
- Full thickness body.
- Chunky maple neck, feels thick I like it. Gloss fretboard and neck but not too glossy. Feels smooth to play.
- Jumbo frets, well finished. No sharp edges and rolled fretboard.
- OK tuners, meaning they work and will do for the time being.
- Not sure what the pickups are but these are the best thing about the guitar. They are powerful and sound marvellous through my Vox. Playing mostly clean Americana stuff with verb and trem. Took it apart and they look cheap, can see the bar magnet etc. but sound great.
-Vol and tone pots work as they should.
- No hum! Weird for a cheap tele!
- All it needed was action lowering (a lot) then it was fine.
- It's heavy, around 8lb, but feels reassuring with a nice wide strap.

It's a Monterey Platinum MPT-50 BLD. Australians will know of this brand as they are common beginner bottom feeder guitars I think . Anyhow I'm keeping this as it sounds and plays great. Maybe I got lucky. Anyone else have one?

 

[lucius Mojo]

Looks great what did you use to finish the body?

 

[Grodad]

Looks great what did you use to finish the body?

Sorry I should have been clearer, it was a complete guitar I bought. I thought I would be building something else from it but it's fine as is.

 

[Brent Hutto]

Well I'd say you are lucky to have that one for sure. Or at least fortunate, sounds like you got a real keeper and the ultra-low price was just a bonus. Wow.

 

[Tim S]

That’s a beautiful guitar. Congrats!

(8lbs isn’t too bad for Ash)

 

[Grodad]

Well I'd say you are lucky to have that one for sure. Or at least fortunate, sounds like you got a real keeper and the ultra-low price was just a bonus. Wow.

Yes must admit I wasn't expecting a keeper

 

[1 21 gigawatts]

That looks great! I wish that it was available here. There aren't many affordable teles that come with a vintage style bridge.

 

[1stpitch]

HNGD! I also agree that 8lbs is not bad for an ash Tele. I had one that weighed almost 10. Enjoy!

 

[Dan German]

Nice!

 

[brookdalebill]

Groovy!

 

[davidchagrin]

I really dig that headstock shape.

 

[stratisfied]

That looks really nice. The body is finished to perfection. Some of the Squiers I've been seeing look like they were dipped in signal orange paint. Yours has very nice grain showing through that looks like a one-piece body. A few minutes with some sandpaper and a spritz of gloss lacquer and you would have a fender headstock shape if you're so inclined,

 

[Grodad]

That looks really nice. The body is finished to perfection. Some of the Squiers I've been seeing look like they were dipped in signal orange paint. Yours has very nice grain showing through that looks like a one-piece body. A few minutes with some sandpaper and a spritz of gloss lacquer and you would have a fender headstock shape if you're so inclined,

Thanks, yes the finish is a nice surprise and the more I play it sure looks like a 1 piece. I'm keeping as is as I like the unique look of the headstock. It's a chunky full size tele feel to it that's for sure!

 

[bender66]

It's a shame most of budget style uses odd spec modern style bridges. I'm noticing more vintage ashtray offerings lately though.

That thing looks great for little money.

 

[sloppychops]

Cool! All us bottom feeders love a good, cheap Tele.

 

[Tele_Tom64]

That looks great! I wish that it was available here. There aren't many affordable teles that come with a vintage style bridge.

There are tons of cheap Teles with 3 saddle bridges. That what most of them come with that I usually see.

The only cheap Teles I've found with modern bridges are Squiers. Harley Benton has vintage bridges, Glarry has vintage bridges, and Monoprice has them, too. Those were the first 3 results from looking for "cheap telecaster".

Most of the other no-name examples i looked at had 3 saddles also.

 

[Solaris moon]

Same here - lots of Tele style bridges that you can put a cover on. Most of the USA and other Fender offerings have more modern bridge plates.

That guitar is an excellent score by the way.

 

[thunderbyrd]

Looks fine.

 

[kuch]

HNGD!! Nice Tele!

wish I could get my hands on one to actually play it and hear it.

Nice score

 

[Happy Enchilada]

We are truly blessed to live in a time of inexpensive but great electric guitars.
Thanks to CNC technology, cheap overseas labor, and a competitive market.
It's amazing what you can achieve with a little soldering and elbow grease.
Only problem is there is no resale ... but what the heck!