Your #1 Telecaster

[natebernstein]

I looked up Sarah Ryan. There's some very unique, and funny things she has painted. How did the body paint come about? Knowing her? Sending the body to her? etc.

The luthier who builds these guitars, Creston Lea, knows Sarah. They're both in Burlington, VT. When talking with Creston about the build you can ask for the Sarah treatment. He'll ask you generally what kind of feel you're after, then pass that along to her. She then does her thing - right before he does the final finish, I believe - and you don't see it until you get the guitar. In my case I offered guidance about colors and certain elements I'd like in the painting but it's not like she's taking an 'order' or anything (though there is an additional charge for her services, obviously). She definitely takes your input into consideration but applies her own artistry. I am super pleased with how it came out. I asked for the front and back to be as covered as possible but others elect to have just one bit of the body painted or even just a little tag on the neck heel.

 

[dannyh]

I picked this one up recently, a 2020 AO 50’s limited edition, which has pushed my ‘99 52 reissue out of the #1 tele spot for now. Lightweight and resonant with a chunky neck, it covers all the tele moods. This AO is every bit as nice as my CS ’56 Mary Kaye strat.

View attachment 997784 View attachment 997781

THAT is one beautiful guitar.

 

[Jazzman1955]

Custom build, not ordered by me, but made by a luthier apprentice who sold this to me for cost of parts. After a brief phone conversation about music, goals, tastes, and some cosmic stuff, he was convinced that this was already mine. He was right. I used to be a Strat guy who had some Tele options for session work. This has become my #1 guitar ever.

Beautiful guitar! What features in particular do you appreciate?

 

[Guitarman8103]

I love all my teles but my American Original 60s is my#1 never sell/trade desert island guitar.

 

[itstooloudMike]

I bought my 2001 Designer Series American Tele because of the awesome silver metal flake finish. I have always loved the way it sounds, but not so much the original neck. So, a few months ago I ordered a Warmoth neck for it to my specs. It’s roasted maple, Clapton V-carve, 10-14” compound radius, no finish, and narrow-tall frets. The new neck made this guitar play even better than it looks. It has easily become my favorite electric.

 

[Kost1978]

Kost, I like the saddle and neck wear. A clear sign that the guitar is well-loved and well used!

What's your pickguard sticker? I know it's probably something I should recognize, but I don't.

Spencer

Thanks man! I really like the neck's look after all this years. As soon as I can I'll get a pic of the first frets to show you (and everybody else) the rest. It's funny: the neck is aging, while the body, with its thick finish, is resisting all the "abuse" I gave her!

Sticker is just a local bar's logo, "The 24" ("Il Ventiquattro" in italian, the logo's actually an "s" and "h" upside down), but it looks cool!
Their stickers are all around the neighborhood, especially on vintage cars and bikes/vespas.

24 Cocktail Bar - Cocktails and more

COCKTAIL BAR /// Now you can enjoy your favourite cocktails from any place

ilventiquattro.com

 

[526THz]

Hi.

I only have two. Both MIJ. One is a 60's type ('62 based to be exact) that I modded to be a faux Cabronita with a TV Jones Classic in the neck, and the other a 50s / Blackguard type (lacquer finish) which I added Bootstrap Pickup's Extra Crispy set to.

Sonically, I'm torn. The faux Cabronita sounds great with the TV Jones engaged, and the 50s / Blackguard type sounds great with either pickup engaged. The guitars sound rather different from each other, but I love their sounds equally.

So, I guess it comes down to the neck. I greatly prefer the 50s / Blackguard's soft V over the modern slim C of the faux Cabronita / former 60s' styled one.

Thus, my quote unquote #1, fav Tele is the 50s / Blackguard styled one.

Here's an excess of photos, cos, like, I can...



View attachment 982637





Pax/
Dean

I love this photo!! Great looking tele! Is that an AC4HW? I have the AC4C1 and I've looked for the HW for some time, but couldn't find it...

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

My one and only tele, but one of my favorite guitars and often reached for.

It’s a Wildwood 64 thinskin.
Mods are: a Gotoh brass bridge, CS Nocaster pickups (it had a CS twisted tele set prior), and an Emerson 4 way tele switch harness. I also put a Warmoth yellow tort cellulose guard on it.

Oh, and I didn’t think it strictly needed it but on a whim I also put a StewMac 0.25deg shim in it. Which turned a well playing guitar into an amazing playing and feeling guitar. I think it sounds better now too. It also allowed the saddle screws to be screwed in so as not to extrude much at all or any. Sounds and plays like a dream.

 

[Elessar]

Thanks man! I really like the neck's look after all this years. As soon as I can I'll get a pic of the first frets to show you (and everybody else) the rest. It's funny: the neck is aging, while the body, with its thick finish, is resisting all the "abuse" I gave her!

Sticker is just a local bar's logo, "The 24" ("Il Ventiquattro" in italian, the logo's actually an "s" and "h" upside down), but it looks cool!
Their stickers are all around the neighborhood, especially on vintage cars and bikes/vespas.

24 Cocktail Bar - Cocktails and more

COCKTAIL BAR /// Now you can enjoy your favourite cocktails from any place

ilventiquattro.com

Cool! Thanks. I thought the logo might be a hip movie or band reference that I missed... and instead, it's an even hipper local cultural reference. Enjoy!

 

[strmusicman]

my no.1 and only tele is a 2005 American deluxe with Haussel traditional t pups super light ash body and gottoh locking tuners.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

… Is that an AC4HW?...

Hi.

Thanks. And, yes, it is. I love it and think it’s a fantastic amp. It’s bright and can take some dialling in, but it sounds great once you figure it out. If you can get one, well, you should.

Pax/
Dean

 

[evvignes]

My number one telecaster is an Esquire, is that so wrong?

70th anniversary Esquire

 

[Dynacoustics]

My 1952 blackguard which I purchased back in 1986 (when they were a bit more affordable). For obvious reasons, untouched but played hard most of my life. the original pickups, tone and volume pots, caps, everything well worn in and fits my hands like an old pair of gloves. I have a hand made reissue based on it made by Moritz Custom Shop in New Jersey I use for local gigs, the blackguard I use for sessions (what I do mostly) and the rare big gig. Photos taken a few years back to document it for an appraisal from George Gruhn. The neck carved by Tadeo Gomez from Fender is the reason it's my number one.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

My 1952 blackguard which I purchased back in 1986...

Hiya.

Well, you don't post often, but when you do, you blow my mind.

Pax/
Dean

 

[Dynacoustics]

My #2 backup Tele (actually a reissue Esquire with Lindy Fralin pickups), comes with dog who critiques my playing

 

[Dynacoustics]

Here is my gig guitar, a replica 52 Telecaster made by Moritz Custom Shop, NJ (he made an SG for Tony Iommi), Plays pretty damn nice, and if it gets stolen at a bar, I'll be pissed but I won't lose my wife's life insurance policy (which is my 1952 blackguard)

 

[rhino]

This Nocaster has been with me for a long time. No mods except for the scribblings of folks who continue to inspire me. Played it most of the night during last night's performance, in fact!

 

[headbaker]

Let’s talk about your #1 Telecaster. What makes it your workhorse? Any upgrades? Please give details and show a picture if available. Thanks!

I bought this guitar in ‘88. It was a mess. Someone poorly routed the guitar for humbuckers. They sat so high a 1/4” plywood shim was placed under the bridge and in the neck pocket. There wasn’t much left to the neck pocket. I was content to pull the shims and put in a standard pickup configuration and it stayed that was for years. Always reliable and played well. About 8 years ago I needed to address the neck pocket so all the old routes were filled and I decided to add a pair of Lollar RW P90s and a stop tail bridge. The neck pocket has a slight back angle getting the action low. The neck is from a ‘72. I have never been able to date the body. Is was stripped (and noticeably cleaner) when I bought it. My Jazzmaster is my overall #1, but I have written more of my songs on this guitar than any other.

 

[billygoat]

My 63 custom shop reissue is the one that always gets the call. It started as closet classic finish but it has alot off honest wear now. It has Glendale saddles and Lollar specials now. It’s the guitar they’ll throw in the pine box with me.

 

[daveydoom077]

My 2006 AV 62 custom.