Upgrade to a higher tier Tele? Or not?

[StefanSy74]

I got my tv yellow Mx Baja Tele in 2018 and it’s been my main axe ever since. I love how it sounds and plays and I love the extra switching options of the baja.

However I’ve been jonesing for replacing it with a higher tier Tele which could be for example:

Fender player series Nashville Telecaster

Fender 70th anniversary Broadcaster 2020 model

Maybach Teleman (e.g: https://maybach-guitars.de/guitars/maybach-teleman-t52-2-butterscotch-blackguard-keith/)

AMERICAN VINTAGE II 1951 TELECASTER

Kauffmann T-Model (Paulownia body) (https://www.kauffmannsguitarstore.com/kauffmann-t-model/)

MyDreamPartscaster (https://reverb.com/item/66428323-my...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=66428323)

Shecter Nick Johnston PT (https://www.schecter-guitars.de/e-gitarren/signature-nick-johnston/nick-johnston-pt/)

As you might have noticed, some are smaller European manufacturers, some are pretty standard Fender stuff. A few of the guitars I could try before buy, most of them not.

Here is the changes/improvements I am looking for:
- a more leightweigt body
- would be fine with a tummy cut
- wouldn’t mind a pine body

The issue is that I am in option paralysis, want to avoid redundancy and am reluctant to possibly sell off my Baja which is probably good enough anyways.

What are your thoughts? Suggestions? Your best acquisition strategies?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Thadocaster]

Here is the changes/improvements I am looking for:
- a more leightweigt body
- would be fine with a tummy cut
- wouldn’t mind a pine body

The issue is that I am in option paralysis, want to avoid redundancy and am reluctant to possibly sell off my Baja which is probably good enough anyways.

Keep the Baja and shop for a Strat.

 

[Blues Twanger]

The Baja is as good as anything you've listed.

Making a change would be to get something different more to the specs you mention, not a better guitar.

However, is bad juju to get rid of a guitar you like. Chances you like the replacement as much are smaller than you think.

 

[Dbrian66]

Definitely hang on to the Baja. If you like it as much as you say, you will regret selling it. Try to find something similar enough to be familiar in your hands, but adds something new to your arsenal. And I would stick to the more mainstream brands. If you end up not liking what you get, the more obscure brands will be harder to sell.

 

[Vibroluxer]

Again, keep the Baja. It's a super fine guitar. Maybe spring for a really good setup if it's needed but I really don't think you can find a better guitar. It's the only guitar that I have deemed "a keeper".

 

[Twang-ineer]

Do not get rid of a guitar that you love for something that *might* be better.

Also... A Nashville Tele is a wonderful thing, but that Mex Nashville is missing that Neck / Bridge combo that makes a Tele a Tele in many ways....

I think a straight up Tele with traditional single coils (not the noiseless) is the way to go if you just want more Tele in your life.

 

[TelePlank]

If you're reluctant to sell the Baja it's probably a bad idea. If you can't get another one right now you could just save up and in time get another Tele down the road. New models may even come out or sales could pop up.

 

[Tim S]

Keep the Baja and get a better amp!

 

[Brent Hutto]

When in doubt, remind yourself to choose a guitar over choosing a spec sheet.

 

[MaxPower93]

DO NOT sell the Baja!!! Owning more than one telecaster is a good thing! Lol. I need every one I own!!

 

[Milspec]

"Higher tier" is just internet BS, the guitar that fits you and plays well IS the higher tier instrument. The rest is just people wanting to brag.

I have many telecasters, some very expensive examples, but my favorite remains the one that I built 10 years ago for less than a grand. It simply fit me better and is a joy to play.

All I see that you desire is lighter weight....just buy a better shoulder strap, you will be money ahead.

 

[Hodgo88]

Everyone's pretty much covered it... the Baja is a fine guitar. You could always just take an 80 grit sander to your Baja and carve a tummy cut, or slap the Baja neck and electronics on the lightest body you can find in Warmoth's showcase.

 

[jrblue]

IMO, unless you can make a major step up, relatively minor changes are a mistake unless you think that change for the sake of change might provide some inspiration.

 

[Wallaby]

SO TRUE.

We all love our guitars when they're new, 3 months old, 6 months old, etc.

But 5 years? Those are the ones that stood the test of time. Never get rid of one like that.

However, is bad juju to get rid of a guitar you like.

 

[Dismalhead]

Agree with everyone else - don't sell the Baja. It's a pro quality guitar through and through, and you like it. I've got a couple of nice guitars I traded along the way and then regretted it since. Don't be like me.

Save up and get another guitar.

 

[Wyzsard]

I love how it sounds and plays and I love the extra switching options of the baja.

Keep it.

Baja's have beefy necks iirc.

Something like this may work. MIJ

Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster - 2-Tone Sunburst with Maple Fingerboard

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Ash Body, Maple Top, Maple, Neck, Maple Fingerboard, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and 1 Humbucking Pickup - Brown Sunburst

www.sweetwater.com

 

[John C]

Count me in the group that says "keep the Baja". After all these years it's proved itself to you. You can add a Tele but certainly keep the Baja.

The Player Plus Nashville and the Schecter Nick Johnston PT are going to have thinner necks than the Baja - actually the Schecter neck should be thinner than the Player Plus based on the Nick Johnston Traditional strat-style I used to own.

I'm not familiar with the other models - still haven't gotten to try out the AV II '51 Tele (and it's been a while since I had my hands on either an AO '50s Tele or one of the 2012-2017 AV '52 models) and the others are European.

Do not get rid of a guitar that you love for something that *might* be better.

Also... A Nashville Tele is a wonderful thing, but that Mex Nashville is missing that Neck / Bridge combo that makes a Tele a Tele in many ways....

I think a straight up Tele with traditional single coils (not the noiseless) is the way to go if you just want more Tele in your life.

I did want to point out that the current Player Plus Nashville Teles have a push/pull tone pot that adds the neck and bridge pickup together in position 1 (and gives you all 3 pickups together in position 2).

 

[BrokenTele]

Get the Nashville Tele.

 

[fenderchamp]

I got my tv yellow Mx Baja Tele in 2018 and it’s been my main axe ever since. I love how it sounds and plays and I love the extra switching options of the baja.

However I’ve been jonesing for replacing it with a higher tier Tele which could be for example:

Fender player series Nashville Telecaster

Fender 70th anniversary Broadcaster 2020 model

Maybach Teleman (e.g: https://maybach-guitars.de/guitars/maybach-teleman-t52-2-butterscotch-blackguard-keith/)

AMERICAN VINTAGE II 1951 TELECASTER

Kauffmann T-Model (Paulownia body) (https://www.kauffmannsguitarstore.com/kauffmann-t-model/)

MyDreamPartscaster (https://reverb.com/item/66428323-my...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=66428323)

Shecter Nick Johnston PT (https://www.schecter-guitars.de/e-gitarren/signature-nick-johnston/nick-johnston-pt/)

As you might have noticed, some are smaller European manufacturers, some are pretty standard Fender stuff. A few of the guitars I could try before buy, most of them not.

Here is the changes/improvements I am looking for:
- a more leightweigt body
- would be fine with a tummy cut
- wouldn’t mind a pine body

The issue is that I am in option paralysis, want to avoid redundancy and am reluctant to possibly sell off my Baja which is probably good enough anyways.

What are your thoughts? Suggestions? Your best acquisition strategies?

Many thanks in advance

save your money, play your Baja.

 

[Robnik33]

Keep the Baja and shop for a Strat

This