Can I start a Telecaster thread?

[sosomething]

I've just got to. Can't help it. The Texas Tele has changed my life. I never knew what I was missing.

Never knew a Telecaster could sound gutsier and meaner than a humbucker-equipped guitar. Those people who say the Tele is possibly the most versatile guitar despite it's deceiving simplicity - they do not lie. Two single coils, volume / tone and a 3-way switch, and so many many tones are possible. Everything from blues to metal, without touching the amp!

It's just such a stripped-down, primitive instrument. Plank of wood with strings = beat on it like caveman = music comes out. I don't think any other design is quite so responsive to touch as the Tele. You have to work for those sounds, man, but it pays you back...

So here's to the Tele - a true testament to Leo's genius. So few get it so right the first time.

[Innocent_Bystander]

I never respected the Telecaster until I found one that blew me away. It all happened by chance, paging through some internet classifieds, found a guitar I had been interested in, hit him with a lower offer than I though he'd take and before I knew it, it was mine. My first internet gear transaction and I think I found a fantastic guitar. A number of Tele players have played it and they all seem to love it as much as I do. It's light, resonant and versitile and looks fantastic (in my opinion of course. ) It's plays almost effortlessly and has one of the sweetest sounding neck pickups to ever grace a guitar.

I always thought I was a Strat guy but after playing this Tele I think I can safely say I was mistaken for quite a few years. I'm still on my search for the holy grail of Strats for myself and I'm sure one day I'll find one but for the time being I'm completely content with my '62 AVRI.

[Sprinter]

After being hung up on Strat style guitars (G&L, S-500's) for a number of years I discovered the G&L, Asat Classic Custom. It intstantly became my #1 guitar, and I've done very little searching for that next guitar since I got it.







I appoligize for the poor quality pictures.

Sprinter

[PFDarkside]

Never knew a Telecaster could sound gutsier and meaner than a humbucker-equipped guitar.

I've got a name for you:
Aaron Turner.

Enough said?

I love my Tele, although I use it for a more traditional purpose, country fried classic rock and Syd inspired psych out moments.

[sosomething]

I've got a name for you:
Aaron Turner.

Enough said?

I love my Tele, although I use it for a more traditional purpose, country fried classic rock and Syd inspired psych out moments.

He's the dude from Isis, right? I guess I never knew he played Teles. Well, I'm in good company then!

Seriously, this cheap little HW1 Texas Tele is quickly usurping guitars made by Carvin, PRS, and Gibson to become my #1 go-to weapon of choice, and I haven't even upgraded anything yet!

I am thinking about putting a black bakelite guard on it, though.

[PFDarkside]

Yeah, he used to use a Paul, but now he uses a late '70s (Custom?) with a neck Humbucker.

Go for the black, it'll look great. Are those the Texas Specials? If so, I love them. I thought for sure I'd be replacing them with a Broadcaster/SSL1 combo, but I like them so much the Tele remains my only stock instrument.

[sosomething]

Yeah, he used to use a Paul, but now he uses a late '70s (Custom?) with a neck Humbucker.

Go for the black, it'll look great. Are those the Texas Specials? If so, I love them. I thought for sure I'd be replacing them with a Broadcaster/SSL1 combo, but I like them so much the Tele remains my only stock instrument.

Yeah, I saw a pic of the same model with a black guard and it seemed to just suit the guitar a lot better.

The pickups are listed by Fender as the "Vintage Hot" set, which sound pretty good. I wouldn't mind a little more girth from the bridge pickup - I may swap that for something soon - but the neck pickup sounds great and I'd be foolish to change it. Very bell-like and round but not muddy at all and with some nice vibrato this guitar just sustains indefinitely...

I'm not going to perform extensive mods on it, but I'm thinking

bakelite black guard
Zhangliquin bridge pickup
upgraded bridge (callaham, barden, vintique, etc.)

...and then it should be done. Playing this thing you can feel the "pop" from the strings right through the body into your gut. It's a very physical thing.

[JB_From_Hell]

Black would look quite the tit-ays on there.

I play Teles all the time at music stores, but have just never owned one. My next guitar really NEEDS to be a midnight wine Tele. I've gassed for one of those for like 7 or 8 years.

[Butch Snyder]

One reason I love Telecasters is that despite only having two single coil pickups, the variety of moods and tones you can get out of a Tele is astounding. For me, it makes me work harder on playing the guitar like an extension of my soul. I'm not switching pickups and such like on my other guitars.

[viewaskew2k5]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=D7sT1HRV2qU

check out prince's solo on that. THATS How a tele rock's out

[Empty Pockets]

I love Telecasters. I came really REALLY close to getting a walnut brown 72 Tele Deluxe before the green SG caught my eye.

I got my dad an SX Tele copy from RondoMusic.net and for a $99 beater guitar with cheap hardware it rocks!

I think it's the body. Big slap of wood = big slab of tone

[pinto79]

My Tele has a Gibson Dirty fingers and a P-rails in it... does it still count?

[Benjy_26]

Leo ALMOST got it right the first time.

Don't get me wrong, I love 50's style tele's and Esquires, but my MIJ 69 Thinline RI is on a whole other level. The chambered mahogany body adds a whole new dimension to the tele mojo.

[eresseraca]

I never hesitate to post my number one when I get the chance ...I simply love the guitar and will play it till it falls apart!



Leo got it right the first time, imo!

[Butch Snyder]

I have a love and respect for all of the Teles I have seen on this forum; however, these two are at the top of my list of Teles that are just plain special. Here's another one that just knocks my socks off.

[Jocelyn]

I have a love and respect for all of the Teles I have seen on this forum; however, these two are at the top of my list of Teles that are just plain special. Here's another one that just knocks my socks off.

This is exactly what I have in mind for a tele Project.. not a figured birds eye neck like that and no binding but any colour even this blue.. I dont know why but I am begning to love teles more and more.. I think Butch you put it best I like the way you put it " it makes me work harder on playing the guitar like an extension of my soul. I'm not switching pickups and such like on my other guitars. "

I think teles are simplicity at its best. yes Leo got it right the first time.

Now all you guys PLS STOP GIVING ME GAS FOR A TELE. It makes me cry its gonna be a while until I can buy one..

[Fender_Punk]

I never hesitate to post my number one when I get the chance ...I simply love the guitar and will play it till it falls apart!



Leo got it right the first time, imo!

VERY hot guitar dude, your gonna be playing it a LONG time!! Teles are wokhorses that never quit, it'll be going even after your not!!

[Chris of Arabia]

This is getting embarrassed




















...just wait till you see what's coming next

[PFDarkside]

Love those bound Teles!

Has anyone swapped the control layout? (Vol closest to your picking hand, switch farthest away) When I was planning on swapping pickups I was going to, but stock wiring is too short.

[Elrond39]

Love those bound Teles!

Has anyone swapped the control layout? (Vol closest to your picking hand, switch farthest away) When I was planning on swapping pickups I was going to, but stock wiring is too short.

Yessir... and while I was at it, I flipped the whole guitar over!