Does Fender Make a Bang-for-Buck Tele?

[BAN]

I think I might need to get a tele. Haven't had one in a while, but my new Bassman is telling me I need one, and who am I to argue?

So, my question is this: does Fender make a tele with the bang-for-buck quality of my JV Strat (american hardware, electronics, etc.)? I am very happy with the JV Strat's tone and quality and I'd like to find something along those lines in a tele---no Ping hardware, no imported electronics.

I don't want to spend a ton because I'm mainly a humbucker guy and just want this for some flavoring. Looking forward to your opinions.

Thanks,
BAN

[guitarmook]

Check the highwy 1 and 'classic' series teles... I think the 50s classic is a GREAT 'bang for the buck' telecaster, but I'm not sure it meets all your criteria.

Another possibility is the Muddy Waters... many players rave about those, as well.

[Unburst]

MIM Muddy Waters

[justonwo]

Fender Japan makes the best bang-for-the-buck Teles. I would order from Ishibashi without hesitation. Here's a 62 RI I used to own.

http://www.the-byline.com/guitars/cij_tele.htm

[pbradt]

Fender Japan makes the best bang-for-the-buck Teles. I would order from Ishibashi without hesitation. Here's a 62 RI I used to own.

http://www.the-byline.com/guitars/cij_tele.htm

I second this. My CIJ Tele is a keeper. I swapped out the electronics but the wood, fret and other work is just CS quality or better.

The TL52 guitars are as Blackguard as it gets, once you put in some correct pups.

[thesedaze]

If it makes any difference, Bill Frisell's main touring axe is a MIM thinline tele. I'm pretty certain it has some harmonic design VP pickups, but other than that, completely stock...and cheap!

[jimmyj]

MIM Muddy Waters

+1 :dude

It's the least expensive guitar I've owned in quite a while and it's gotten about 90% of the playing time in the 1 1/2 years that I've owned it, at home and with bands.

[Joe M]

The MIM Classic series are, IMHO, the best "bang for your buck" you can buy. You should be able to buy a used one for ~$400-$450 all day. Just check any website's sale pages. The Muddy Waters would be a close second but those are a little more expensive than the Classic Series.

[Pete Galati]

I never played one personally, but I've been hearing good reports on the "Lite Ash" Telecasters for a couple years. They seem to be from Korea.

I think the MIM Telecasters will beat them on price. If you like ash Telecasters though, the Lite Ash ones are probably a better choice for an Econo-Tele. And you'd already have the traditional 3-saddle Tele bridge.

[jpage]

Just have to pick through the many, many options available in and around San Fran, USA. There are a ton on great Fender Teles to be had in the $5-700 price point. Just always, ALWAYS play the guitar before buying.

[Sardocasm]

If I were you, I'd look into getting a used G&L ASAT. You'll get a lot more quality for your dollar than with a Fender.

[jpage]

I've never thought G&Ls had the Fender vibe at all. Well built and consistent (the old ones were, anyway, before the company was sold) but not Teles or Strats by any stretch.

[Joe M]

jpage, I agree completely, G&L's are great, well-made guitars but they're not a Strat or Tele....

[BAN]

Thanks for all the advice so far---really good suggestions.

I've owned 2 G&Ls, an ASAT Z3 and a Tribute S500. I liked them okay, but I just couldn't get into them---especially the Z3. They both felt cold to me.

The CIJ idea is an intrguing one, but I hate not being able to play before I buy. I do some business over there, so maybe I'll check them out on my next trip later this year.

As for the Muddy Waters, I like the specs minus those knobs, can they be changed easily?. Guitar Center (I know, I know...) is on my way home, so I think I'll see if they have the MW and some others to play around with.

Nice to know there are options.
BAN

[Joe M]

I've read on other sites that guys have changed the amp knobs to regular tele knobs with no problem. Also guys have switched the pickguards to one with fewer holes, again, with no problems.

[Unburst]

I second this. My CIJ Tele is a keeper. I swapped out the electronics but the wood, fret and other work is just CS quality or better.

The TL52 guitars are as Blackguard as it gets, once you put in some correct pups.

I third that, my CIJ Tele is great and has a lot of bang for the buck, but if you buy from Ishibashi you're buying blind.
Having said that, if I was to buy blind a CIJ Tele would be a pretty safe bet.

If I was buying my first Tele I'd shop around the MIM Classic, Muddy Waters and Highway 1 and see which fit me best.

[Tone_Terrific]

Squier Standard. Cheap. Do a good setup----experiment with pups---refine your taste---then get a ......well I'm tempted to say G&L---or maybe you are not a Tele guy----it's Ok

[keith_t4e]

That nashville tele with the strat pup in the middle rocks.

[Todd Lynch]

Another vote for the MIM Classic 50's and/or 60's series. I've got the 60's Classic and really dig it - great quality on my particular guitar. I've played several Classic 50's models too that were great. Killer bang for the buck.

[AshlandBump]

+1 on the MIM Muddy Waters Telecaster -- ash body, great pickups, American hardware, and yes, the knobs are easy to change.

There are so many versions of the Telecaster neck however -- you really have to know what you want to like what you get. There's a huge difference in the feel between a '52 reissue neck, an American Standard neck, etc. The Muddy Waters neck was exactly what I was looking for: modern C shape, narrow nut width than the American Series, and modern, i.e., larger, frets.

[Chris Rice]

If it makes any difference, Bill Frisell's main touring axe is a MIM thinline tele. I'm pretty certain it has some harmonic design VP pickups, but other than that, completely stock...and cheap!

Posted on TDPRI:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/42417-bill-frisells-tele.html
The Daphne Blue Thinline reissue is not original and Bill says he has changed "almost every part of it". It definitely has SD Antiquity pickups, a new bridge (Glendale possibly, with compensated brasss saddles and a cutaway treble lip) and Bill has also had the neck refinished.

Any of the mentioned teles in this thread can be good. I like the Muddy Waters and 60's Classic. Not so fond of the Nashville.

[Jazz guru]

I would vote for a used Am Std - $600 range. Remember the Muddy Waters tele you have to take the neck off to tweak the truss rod.

[neastguy]

eeek.... didnt know that about the muddy... hopefully I wont have to do much tweeking.. as it stands right now, I really like the mud... looking forward to playing it tonight at practice.....

[jimmyj]

I don't take the neck off. I just remove the pickguard and adjust the neck with a flat screwdriver. You DO have to be careful not to harm the cover of the neck pickup while doing this.

[gtraddict]

I would have to agree with anyone saying get an Asat, and if you want to go cheaper into the $300 range get a tribute

[83stratman]

I had a Muddy. It was pretty cool, if you like a rosewood neck on a Tele. The pickups are great also. Yes, the knobs can be changed. That said...

On paper (I have yet to see on in person) the coolest new stock Tele IMO is the HW1 texas Tele. Ash body, vintage hardware and logo, 12" radius, MJ frets and hot pickups.

[bryan83]

any you guys check out the MIM Classics with the bigsby's the got at MF? Always kinda wanted a tele and damn the just looks so good with a bigsby on there...

[tonedaddy]

If it makes any difference, Bill Frisell's main touring axe is a MIM thinline tele. I'm pretty certain it has some harmonic design VP pickups, but other than that, completely stock...and cheap!
Posted on TDPRI:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/42417-bill-frisells-tele.html
I gotta say, while this is not Frisell's MIM Thinline, I think this is one cool looking Tele!
:)

http://www.utleygallery.com/jagpics/front.423.jpg

http://www.utleygallery.com/jagpics/back.426.jpg

[Chris Rice]

I gotta say, while this is not Frisell's MIM Thinline, I think this is one cool looking Tele!
:)

Oh yeah, I saw it in the cd boklet and was very favorably impressed. I've been planning on building one similar (without the paint job) with the humbucker and short scale neck. Too cool.

[michaelprice83]

I would vote for a used Am Std - $600 range. Remember the Muddy Waters tele you have to take the neck off to tweak the truss rod.

Just dremel a truss rod access route. It would only take 2 minutes.

[Teleman]

The Fender Texas Tele - I picked one up in a trade deal and it has gone from something I thought I'd just turn over and sell to my #1 tele.

[paulrocker]

what is that guitar with the amazing paint job?

[karmadave]

Muddy Waters or HW1 Texas Tele seem to be the "bang for the buck" Tele's. Muddy Comes will a 9.5" radius rosewood board and the Texas comes with a 12" radius maple board...

-KD

[Brick]

Just keep in mind that the Highway1 Teles have a low gloss satin lacquer finish and will begin relicing itself as soon as you start to play it.

I personally like them and was about to buy one before finding my copper '52ri.

[Darth Tater]

Any thoughts on the Aerodyne Tele?

CIJ, killer look, sleek body, and a P90 in the neck. Looks lovely on paper..anybody got one?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Aerodyne-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=511990

[twoheadedboy]

Fender CIJ teles like the '62 RI are an incredible value. if you see one, grab it and be happy.

[Chris Rice]

what is that guitar with the amazing paint job?
It's Bill Frisell's. Jaguar neck on a custom body.

Any thoughts on the Aerodyne Tele?

CIJ, killer look, sleek body, and a P90 in the neck. Looks lovely on paper..anybody got one?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Aerodyne-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=511990

I've played the Aerodyne Jazz Bass and was not extremely impressed. There are quite a few people who really like their Aerodyne teles though.

[Pete Galati]

Every time I see this thread I think of the Buck Owens Tele:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Events/WNAMM98/Fender/Buck-Owens.jpg

http://www.harmony-central.com/Events/WNAMM98/Fender/Buck-Owens.html

There's a few of these floating around, and they usually sell for a lot on Ebay these days. Sorry, I couldn't dig up a better picture of it at the moment.

[Pete Galati]

Forgot about gbase.com

http://www.gbase.com/files/store_images/897/1512619/Photo2_e8ccc.jpg (http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/gearinforequest.aspx?Item=1512619)

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1512619

[hemlock]

If you play enough of any of the models, you'll find a great bang for the buck guitar. I had an Am Std that was an excellent guitar for the money.

[homerayvaughan]

On paper (I have yet to see on in person) the coolest new stock Tele IMO is the HW1 texas Tele. Ash body, vintage hardware and logo, 12" radius, MJ frets and hot pickups.

I'd second the Highway 1's...:BEER

[lowendgenerator]

I love my Hwy 1 tele. It's been my main squeeze since it arrived 2 months ago. I might change out the tuners for vintage style ones, but thats it.

[david henman]

. There are quite a few people who really like their Aerodyne teles though.

...me, for example! incredible bang-for-buck tele.

-dh

[forestryguy]

I never played one personally, but I've been hearing good reports on the "Lite Ash" Telecasters for a couple years. They seem to be from Korea.

I think the MIM Telecasters will beat them on price. If you like ash Telecasters though, the Lite Ash ones are probably a better choice for an Econo-Tele. And you'd already have the traditional 3-saddle Tele bridge.

I've had one of these for a couple of years. Very nice tones and vintage look. My only complaint is that the fretboard is sightly narrower than other models so that string placement makes double stop bends more difficult.

[Jonster]

I've owned so many Teles, to be honest, I have lost count. From high$$ vintage to Squires. (still have an 83 Squire....killer)

I just bought an 06 regular ol' MIM Standard, and I gotta say, just a great guit for the $$. Played 5, all were decent, and as usual one stood out from the pack. They unboxed it right in front of me, I plugged into my trusty TU2, tuned it, and it was dead-on minty. Intonation spot on, no fret-outs, finish perfect, frets level, no rough edges to anything, anywhere. Tight & sweet on all counts, and I'm pretty fussy.

Beefier neck, which I LOVE, and they now come with med-jumbos frets. (super clean fret work all the way up)
Also, the p/u's sound more refined to my ears than the last series on this model. Smoother, less clangy. Just an all around great guit. Brought it home, through a set of 10's on it, and brought it to rehersal. It held tune, and simply kicked butt all night long. $375 OTD/ w a free set o strings.
For direct comp., it plays/sounds better than the only other MIM guit I currently have, a 60's Tele)
The neck on that one requires more relief than I dig, and the p/u's are so-so at best. The frets are also a bit uneven on the 60's, and I have issues with high notes. The 06 Standard is a better buy IMHO. :)

oh, and it sounds pretty much like a Tele should, on all counts.

[e-z]

Squier Standard. Cheap. Do a good setup----experiment with pups---refine your taste---then get a ......well I'm tempted to say G&L---or maybe you are not a Tele guy----it's Ok

+1 for the Squier. I got one as a thank you for a job and after I had it set up it plays really well.

[RocknTommy]

I got one of the MIM teles from MF about two years ago.
Great Bank for the buck.
All I did to the guitar was use shielding paint in the cavities.
Super quite now.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10054/normal_tele2.jpg

[clothwiring]

Out of the teles I played I couldn't justify buying a "bang for the buck" tele, so I just made one that met the specs I'd want. Hence my gold metalflake Tele I made last year. It's perfect for me.

[Greggy]

I don't take the neck off. I just remove the pickguard and adjust the neck with a flat screwdriver. You DO have to be careful not to harm the cover of the neck pickup while doing this.

Same here. I tweeked the truss rod just the other day. Only need to remove the pickguard.

[VH5150]

Highway one is the best bet for the money,some people just can't deal with the finish though.Great neck.

I like these better though

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/lastchance123/gl1.jpg

[gtrplayer23]

i think the nashville teles are amazing for the price.

[Chris Rice]

Out of the teles I played I couldn't justify buying a "bang for the buck" tele, so I just made one that met the specs I'd want. Hence my gold metalflake Tele I made last year. It's perfect for me.

Good color choice, do you have a pic? Here's mine:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/78%20Telecaster/tele782.jpg

[Vintage]

I think the new MIM teles are shipping with Medium Jumbo fret wire now.

[TS808]

One of the teles I've been eyeing for some time now is the '72 MIM Tele Deluxe with the two humbuckers. 12" radius on the fretboard from what I understand and the neck is a bit beefy and has the larger 70's headstock. For a regular tele with two single-coils, I think the best bang for the buck is the Highway 1.

[MGT]

I just bought a MIM Nashville Tele last week. I love it & it sounds amazing through my Hot Rod Deluxe.

I also have the Custom Telecaster FMT HH but (in my opinion) the only thing it has in common with a real tele is that the shape is based on a "real" tele. Great guitar, though!