Man Seeks Telecaster

[neampmod]

Hi,

I'm looking at Telecasters, I haven't kept up to date with the ranges and I'm not too bothered where it's made (unless there is a big gap in component hardware and finish based upon region?). I haven't checked local shops yet, so not sure what is available there.

I have been looking at the following:

* Fender AM Pro II Tele MN RST PINE (This is the wood that I am after, and I prefer the look of the burnt pine over the butterscotch / light wood models)
* Fender American Professional II

Not a Tele but this caught my interest Fender American Professional II Stratocaster MN, Roasted Pine

I guess I am wondering if there are ranges / guitars to look for, or avoid and if I am coming from a Strat is there going to be a big difference in fretboard width / depth, or do they cross over enough that I can find something to fit?

I mainly play (poorly) Tom Petty/ Mike Campbell, Neil Young, Audioslave and some bluegrass/ folk music so I want the guitar to be able to do clean and bright up to some rock rhythms and soloing (You Wreck Me, Crystal River, Big Time, Love to Burn, etc).

 

[newholland]

seriously- look at classic vibes, 40th anniversarys, and paranormals. i almost give up on fender domestic for twice the cost and lesser quality. i can typically upgrade a squier to better playability for less money and not have a bone stock boring instrument.

 

[Frodebro]

Probably the first thing you'll want to sort out is the neck shape and fingerboard radius you prefer, because they come in just about every variation there is. Personally, I do not get along at all with the 7 1/2" radius, which is "authentic" to the early models.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I've been on a tele kick lately, it's all I've been playing. My strats are pissed and looking at me like >> .

I'd recommend playing one in person first, if you can. Try all varieties and price points to see what you prefer.

 

[bucephalus]

It took me a long time to find one I liked playing, ended up being a 72 Telecaster Deluxe. Had been through a bunch of squire, Mexican and US tales through the years and none stuck until this one.

 

[Jarick]

I think if you're looking at the Fender American Pro line you will end up with a fine guitar but you still may need some either setup tweaks done or a bit of fret work depending on how good your dealer is. At my local Guitar Center for instance pretty much every Fender has sharp fret edges up through the Custom Shop models but it's probably because they don't keep the humidity levels set properly and they just don't care about inspecting guitars. But at the least a Fender American will have really solid bones with good pickups and hardware - after a thorough setup and inspection it should be a fine guitar that lasts a lifetime.

 

[EOengineer]

Probably the first thing you'll want to sort out is the neck shape and fingerboard radius you prefer, because they come in just about every variation there is. Personally, I do not get along at all with the 7 1/2" radius, which is "authentic" to the early models.

This.

As a generalization the vintage spec necks tend to be a bit chunkier with more rounded fretboard radius, while the modern spec necks tend to be thinner profiles with a flatter fretboard radius.

The differences have more to do with playability preferences than sound. Based OP’s influences I’m fairly certain they want to stick with traditional single coils to get the spank happening. Probably also go for the vintage barrel bridge.

 

[neampmod]

Thanks for the information this is really helpful.

The Strat I am playing is a 50's Classic Player, which I have really grown to like the neck and fingerboard dimensions.

I can see the neck profile is a soft V and has a 42 mm nut width - I'll try and find similar profiles to that in some of the Telecaster ranges mentioned above. The Telecasters I've been looking at so far have a deep C neck, I will need to try them but initially the profiles look like it'd be a good fit.

I definitely will need to play a few guitars, a dozen or more most likely, to find a one that ticks all the boxes - especially for the upper price range I am looking at (American Pro II etc). I will try some of the other sub-brands but the lust for the lovely "Fender" on the head stock is most likely going to overrule the rational side of my brain.

I am really keen a burnt pine look, though I wouldn't be so much if it impacted the brightness - Has anyone had experience of playing a pine versus alder Telecaster, is there much in it with regards to tone or sustain?

 

[EOengineer]

You might want to take a look at the vintera 50s series by fender. Seems like it’s right up your alley.

 

[Eagle]

The discontinued baja Mexican is a great S/H option. I know lots of touring players using them in preference over other far more expensive options.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I've come to realize having the ashtray style bridge is a must if you want "tele" tone and character. It's a key element. That in conjunction with vintage style, split shaft tuners makes for a livelier response bordering on microphonic.

 

[Eagle]

I've come to realize having the ashtray style bridge is a must if you want "tele" tone and character. It's a key element. That in conjunction with vintage style, split shaft tuners makes for a livelier response bordering on microphonic.

And for me ash/ maple is my preferred choice but rosewood/ alder is still tele tone as long as it has vintage style hardware . It all starts getting generic when you add mass to the metal . There is almost no weight in vintage hardware and it’s pressed steel and brass rod so changing things has a pretty pronounced impact. Add the pickup being fixed to the bridge and you have the key to its character.

My favourite tele.

 

[FuzzyAce]

And for me ash/ maple is my preferred choice but rosewood/ alder is still tele tone as long as it has vintage style hardware . It all starts getting generic when you add mass to the metal . There is almost no weight in vintage hardware and it’s pressed steel and brass rod so changing things has a pretty pronounced impact. Add the pickup being fixed to the bridge and you have the key to its character.
View attachment 60146
My favourite tele.

Maple neck is my favorite too. I typically like ash, but have an alder tele and also a black, mij '96 tele. I think it's alder too and it has a rosewood fingerboard. Both are really great but I gravitate to full maple necks. Same for strats.