What's the skinny on 2000 American Deluxe Telecasters?

I've been looking a while for a nice new or used Tele with a 43mm (1 11/16") nut, 9.5'-12" radius fretboard, chunky neck preferred. I keep coming back to a near mint all original 2000 American Fender Deluxe with a rosewood fretboard that a local shop has, I doubt it'll last long and there's something about a bound Tele that makes me look twice no matter what. I'm only finding small scraps of info on this guitar being 20 yrs old. I know the neck's not real thick, but it doesn't look thin either. I've been looking for days and feel like the clock's ticking with the Black Friday frenzy going on, so I best do something about it either way.

I'm wondering if anyone who owns or played one could tell me anything about them? Talk me out of it, or into it? I'm sure there are better, but this ones in my budget of $1000 range and I'm having a hard time finding anything. I haven't tried it yet and I know it's all about how it feels to me, etc. It's a 2 hr drive and I'd like to have some kind of idea beforehand than to blindly kill a day when I'm short on time. Should I keep looking or give it consideration and start drivin'?

I tried a Fender American Performer at GC that was 43mm at the nut with maple neck and liked it, but wasn't feeling it enough to buy it. That might've changed if it had a set up. everything else was too high priced, so I've been looking at used. I also picked up a new Vintera 50's & 50's Modified and tried it, I loved it! But it was a bit narrow at the nut. So, back to the 43mm thing...

I'm not expecting perfect. I just want something I'll be happy with to play. I can mod it or change PU's down the road if I needed.

Thanks for any help or opinions in advance. Hope everybody's having a great weekend!

 

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Ya, I was playing with the same idea yesterday - there's an overwhelming amount of options out there and I couldn't figure out what was quality without breaking the bank. I was afraid of buying stuff that didn't fit quite right.

 

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Hmmmm,...thanks for letting me know that. What's a good place to start looking then?

 

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Perfect, that's the perspective I'm lookin' for, Thanks Josh!!! It wouldn't need to be real thick, just not fast skinny. A neck too thin with no shoulders would be a deal breaker for me and my arthritis. So it sounds like you saved me a long drive.

I was finding conflicting results, mostly about the newer models. Other threads I couldn't tell which guitar they were talking about when they jumped from yr to yr - it happens no biggie, but it gets confusing. Maybe I will just do an assembly or build after all?

I'm adding editing this part in: The owner emailed me the specs. Close to my MIM Deluxe Strat somewhat:

12th fret is 7/8”
1st fret is 13/16”

I'm wondering if the sides have any shoulders? Or is it curved?

 

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It never fails to amaze me how much you guys know, thanks John! I like learning so this is great experience even if I didn't get it.

Nice catch btw, I didn't have a pic yet, so I used one that seemed identical, to get the idea across. But you caught that anyway. Ha!

If I wasn't looking for a bit of a thicker neck or at least with shoulders on it, I would be all over it. Thanks again!! Really appreciate the help everybody.

 

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Oh,... and I would eventually want to change the bridge too or at least have that option. Thanks for the warning.

Since all this, it's made me seriously consider having a neck made to order and build the rest myself. I have some old growth wood I've had forever just begging for the right project and this might be it - finally.

I'll probably be starting a neck thread after this if I can't find enough info after pokin' around first. Thanks everybody!!