Which tele has the fastest neck off the shelf?

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Thehoax

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Hey guys, new to this forum, I stumbled on it while looking into buying my first tele. My only guitar right now is a PRS custom 24 - very lucky that I got it for just $750 at a charity auction, and it looks gorgeous, but it is an absolutely soulless machine. Tone invariably sounds like you're playing direct into your computer or something.
Anyway, I won't rant about that. I finally have enough money to put into a new guitar, and it's definitely going to be a tele. The only thing I really like about my PRS is the neck and the action - definitely the smoothest, fastest neck I've ever played on. As of right now I don't really have any preference between MIM or MIA teles, and I'm willing to spend up to ~1200. What should I be looking for in terms of specs/models that will give me the fastest neck? Thanks in advance
 

tpaul

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Depends on what kind of neck allows YOU to play your best (or your fastest, if that's what you want).

Are you looking for thick or thin? Flat or radiused? V or C shaped? Poly or nitro or? Big frets or small? Give us some idea of what you think "fast" means and we'll try to help.
 

PennyCentury

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If you're moving towards a Tele, you may not want a "fast" neck, but one that helps you to play deliberately and with thought. There aren't enough "slowhand" players.
 

Five-O

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PennyCentury, I agree with what you say ! The term " fast neck " has always caused me to kinda wonder ? Granted I know what he means but just always thought there should be another way to describe it, but that's just me, no offense intended.
 

Stylemaster

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"Fast neck" was a term used a lot in the late '60s and early '70s. Back then the thinner the neck, the "faster" it was. Both Fenders & Gibsons had pencil necks back then (as in "pencil necked geeks," I guess). I guess part of the mix was low action (until Roy Buchanan came along). Times change and now the baseball bat is the thing. So what do you mean by "fast neck?"
 

Wardpike

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A small thin c-shaped neck with a 9.5" radius is the fastest for me. I prefer the slight tonal difference of a rosewood fretboard, but find maple is often a little bit faster. If you're intention is "Albert Lee on crack" or "Brad Paisley hopped up on 4 Redbulls" type of crazy chicken pickin' and speed, then I think this might be an option for you.

Best of luck, and kindest regards,

Ward
 

DOGGONE

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I've always considered a fast neck as being low frets with a low action. My Les Paul "fretless wonder" is about as fast as it can get.
 

dconeill

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Teles don't play like PRSs. Teles fight back. You won't find a Tele that feels anything like your PRS.

As for which Tele plays fastest, it's the Tele that *you* play fastest. Try several, see what you like. Some players find that thicker necks are faster, while others like that thinner necks. Some like maple fingerboards, some like rosewood. It's really up to you.l
 

Breen

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Ok I will help him out... of the Tele's I played, the Ritchie Kotzen one has a great, 'fast', shreddy play-ee feel.

But I've seen Redd Volkaert shred on a baseball bat. So, how fast the neck is, IMHO, is all about you.
 

Hollmanp90

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KNoW "Your" specs.......

So, search out what T-Style neck is closest to your PRS.

The fastest neck for me is the stick attached to my Cigar Box Guitar.........your opinion would probally be different.........


Only you can prevent forest fires and know what the "fastests" neck would be for you.
 

Randypttt

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If fast you mean low action and thin neck and large frets for easy bending, the FMT would suit you. I have one and despite the humbuckers it can sound convincingly like a Tele with the coils split. I enjoy mine a great deal. Red 2.jpg

(link removed)
 

sonny wolf

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Right on about the souless vibe of PRS guitars....I really don't like them.Welcome to the world of Telecasters....you will discover what soul is all about in a guitar(yes I know that true soul is what is inside you...not your gear but it's fun to enjoy your gear and be inspired by it!).As for a fast neck,I assume you mean slim(???).The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Telecaster custom has a really slim neck with large frets and 9.5 radius...that can be classified as 'fast' for some players.I personally prefer a little more meat to my necks and I don't even mind a very fat neck(like on the Nocaster which is huge).I like to have a solid grip on the neck to facilitate bending.The extra mass doesn't slow me down anyways...I play the same way.
 

3 Chord

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There is no such thing as a fast neck, necks don't move. Find a comfy neck that fits you and your style and you will be able to get around on it better.

I would think you might like to try something with;
- a rosewood fretboard
- a shallow (thin) neck profile
- a modern radius
- larger than vintage fretwire
- satin finish on the back of the neck

Everything I have listed is the exact opposite of what I look for. Maybe this is why I can only play slow.
 

asatz

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I'm interested in this as well. I remember playing a PRS once a long time ago and noticing how much faster and easier it was to play than anything else I had tried to that point.

I'm thinking fast = fairly flat radius, maybe even compound to really flat the higher you get, and big (possibly stainless?) frets. Also I'm wondering how much scale length has to do with it. PRS's and Gibsons have slightly shorter scale lengths than Fenders, creating less string tension and easier playing. I noticed Warmoth offers conversion necks to make Fenders shorter scale. Anybody have any experience with this?
 

Dana

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In my experience 'slower' players doesn't necessarily make for better players. I've heard just as many slow, sloppy players as I have fast, sloppy players.

If you want to find a neck that works best for you. I'd suggest going to a local music store and trying as many different types of guitars as you can. Play the most difficult song/solo/lick that you know. If it feels good, that's the one for you.
 

portugal

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the Jim Root tele will play like a shredder's guitar. It also sounds like one too. To me, it misses all the main points of a tele but it may be the right guitar for you.
 

MrDJoers

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Custom 24s have a wide thin neck. Think like a Gibson 60's slim taper. Not sure what Fender neck fits the mold, maybe try USAGC or Warmoth for something similar that can be bolted on.
 

Barncaster

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I put a couple of my necks on the floor last night for a race and I couldn't see one moving appreciably faster than the other........
 
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