Tele players that changed your life!

Johnny Greenwood

 

My Father! He was one heck of a chickin picker. God rest his soul and i miss him everyday.

 

And, of course:

 

I'm pretty sure the Tele Clarence WHite is playing is one that Marty Stuart uses a lot now, though he uses several on his show.

 

you all inspired me to go listen to Roy Buchanan again. Wow, genius!

 

It all started because of Keith Richards for me... Seeing him with one made me lose all of the old thoughts of it being a hillbilly guitar. I got into country later on, it all started because of classic rock for me.

 

Roy Buchanan

 

1) the Boss
2) Joe Strummer
3) Mr Keef

 

Yup, the original B-bender.

 

My life? None.

My tastes in music are pretty eclectic so I am not even sure that a single player made me want to switch to a Tele.
I always like the looks of Teles but found them difficult to play until I got a 96 or 97 American Standard. Then I watched a Jim Weider video and I had to have a 62 Custom RI. From then on I was hooked on Tele's.

 

[/IMG]

 

Jeff Beck and his telegib, the status quo guys Rossi and Parfit,

 

Jeff Beck starting with the Yard Birds.
The first time I heard 'Over Under Sideways Down' I could hardly believe that was a guitar I was hearing.
Also Mike Bloomfield, a real pioneer of electric blues.

 

Jimmy Page while with led Zeppelin. He made me realize that a tele wasn't just for country music.

 

Joe Strummer.

 

Johnny Hiland. They way he teaches and talks about it just seems so "from the heart". And he has a way of showing you something you can do, and then taking into a new area that seemed previously very difficult. Great, great teacher.

 

Well, I am not trying to piss off Roy Buchanan fans. He was a great player, no doubt about it.
I saw him live at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles in the early 1980's. He was so loud I couldn't believe it. The Roxy is a small place. He played on his bridge pickup the whole time. It was the most unbearable sound I have ever heard. No tone at all. A sound man went up to him and told him and Roy just gave him the 1000 yard stare. No reply, no amp adjustment. Squealing, microphonic feedback.
I've seen The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Blue Cheer, so I know what loud is. And I like loud music. And I like to play loud. That's when the amps really start to do their magic.
I had to leave the Roxy that night. So did about half of the audience. My ears rang for a day or two.
After that night, I became very aware of stage volume and how loud it is in the audience. I now care as much about that as I do anything else. Before that night, I always cared more about how it sound to me right there next to my amp.
And now you know how a Tele player changed my life.

It could have been anyone playing loud that night. It doesn't matter who. It just happened to be Roy and a Tele. My perception got realigned, that's all.

 

I think Roy's hearing was seriously suffering in the 80's. I believe that's the reason for his loud volume and trebly, ice-picky sound. Even I - one of his greatest fans - avoid most of his 80's stuff, especially the live stuff. If you want a great introduction to Roy's playing and tone, listen to his first two solo albums plus "Live Stock" from the first half of the 70's.

 

Brad Paisley, Brent Mason, Vince Gill, Luther Perkins.

 

Joe Strummer and Chrissie Hynde. Also, Don Leady (of the Tail Gators).