Telecasters bodies with a belly cut

[Bigjo]

Looking to put together a partscaster and would like a Telecaster body with a belly carve. Looking for traditional Single-Single pickup routing.

Which models have a belly carve?

I'm open to Squier, MIM fender, USA Fender

Thanks for the input

 

[John C]

Most modern Teles are routed for a neck humbucker, middle single coil and bridge single coil, so anything you're going to find with a belly cut is likely going to have that routing.

That being said you'll find the belly cut on these models over the years:

1. Tele Plus v2 made from 1995-1998
2. American Deluxe v1 made from 1998-2003
3. American Deluxe v2 made from 2004-2009 - but only the alder body versions; ash body versions are slab body
4. American Deluxe v3 made from 2010-2015 - alder body all years, ash body gets the belly cut in 2012
5. American Standard made from circa March 2012-2016
6. American Elite Tele made from 2016-2019
7. American Ultra Tele made from 2019-present
8. American Ultra Luxe Tele made from 2021-present
9. MIM Player Plus Tele made from 2021-present

I think anything else that has the belly cut is routed for 2 humbuckers, but I could be wrong about that.

 

[titan uranus]

Adding to the list above, 2013 Fender Rustic FSR runs. I know the US ones are cut, I *assume* the Mexican ones are also cut.

 

[pbenn]

There is some precedent here:

Tele of Two Legends | Vintage Guitar® magazine

One day in the mid 1950s, up-and-coming thoroughbred jockey Bill Shoemaker was playing host to his friend, bandleader Hank Penny, who had come calling with a special gift in a brown case.

www.vintageguitar.com

 

[Tele-friend]

Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus has a bellycut. I have this guitar.
They were made in China and you probably could get a used one cheap.

Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus review

A workhorse that pines for something different

www.musicradar.com

 

[Fendereedo]

My old MIM Blacktop had a belly cut

 

[Festofish]

There is some precedent here:

Tele of Two Legends | Vintage Guitar® magazine

One day in the mid 1950s, up-and-coming thoroughbred jockey Bill Shoemaker was playing host to his friend, bandleader Hank Penny, who had come calling with a special gift in a brown case.

www.vintageguitar.com

Interesting read.

 

[PCollen]

My old MIM Blacktop had a belly cut

Those were the first Tele's I ever saw having a belly cut.

 

[fender4life]

I wish i could find a body with vintage bridge mount and both belly AND forarm cut like a strat. The arm cut is even more important to me because i have found it's what make it easier for me to play strats due to the different angle of my forarm due to the cut. Even after playing mostly teles in the last 10 years i still can't play them as well as a strat. But bodys like that are impossible to find even tho there are some out there because i've seen em.

 

[rockclimber]

I wish i could find a body with vintage bridge mount and both belly AND forarm cut like a strat. The arm cut is even more important to me because i have found it's what make it easier for me to play strats due to the different angle of my forarm due to the cut. Even after playing mostly teles in the last 10 years i still can't play them as well as a strat. But bodys like that are impossible to find even tho there are some out there because i've seen em.

Just get an aftermarket body (Warmoth etc.). There's nothing special about a Fender body.

 

[arlum]

While I go back and forth between forearm cuts I must say that I love belly cuts on a Telecaster. I'm not up to some of our other members ability to give specific models. I just know what I like.

 

[Ronzo]

2021-22 Squier Affinity Teles have the belly cut.

I had a damaged one sent to me around Christmas last year that I returned for the LPB Bullet - which I much preferred. The belly cut just felt wrong, somehow. YMMV.

 

[Killing Floor]

Mod Shop Teles also have a belly cut.

 

[TelemanYYC]

Looking to put together a partscaster and would like a Telecaster body with a belly carve. Looking for traditional Single-Single pickup routing.

Which models have a belly carve?

I'm open to Squier, MIM fender, USA Fender

Thanks for the input

Richie Kotzen Tele. Amazing value has arm rest and belly cut sounds great and high quality.

 

[REWTX]

I agree to go with Warmoth.

 

[P Thought]

My first tele, its body made by my son using the T. Downs blueprints, has a belly cut. That was at the suggestion of George, the local shop's luthier who gave me the board it's cut from. George also suggested the reverse controls, and I've favored both features since then, as well as the wide fat neck.

 

[vanr]

My MIM Players Tele HH has the belly cut. Doesn't bother me.

 

[ponycar]

I have a lovely book matched Alder, chambered, Warmoth. 3.5 lbs. If you think Alder is not an attractive wood in a natural finish, no stain or dye, I'd like you to see mine. Unfortunately not in my possession while traveling. Oops, found a pic. It's the blackguard. Other body is a 7/8ths Alder that I posted for sale here but zero interest.

 

[stomped box]

Mod Shop Teles also have a belly cut.

Really? All of them? I do not see that as an option, I do not see that mentioned anywhere, and it's not represented in the rendering of your guitar on the site. I'm planning to order a Mod Shop Tele and man would I be unhappy if it came with a belly cut. The belly cut goes on the belly not the Tele. imo.

 

[Steve Holt]

I wish i could find a body with vintage bridge mount and both belly AND forarm cut like a strat. The arm cut is even more important to me because i have found it's what make it easier for me to play strats due to the different angle of my forarm due to the cut. Even after playing mostly teles in the last 10 years i still can't play them as well as a strat. But bodys like that are impossible to find even tho there are some out there because i've seen em.

Like this?

I like deep contours!