Used Tele options; what do ya think?

[Gasp100]

I had another post on the subject, but I can't find it. Anyway, I'm looking for a nice Tele to fit into the herd that won't break the bank. It's possible I could sell off another guitar (or two) to finance this but if I don't have to that would be great. Here is what is on the list so far:

G&L '52 style modded with killer pups and a Glendale bridge, 7.5 radius. I've never even seen a G&L with this neck let alone played one so it's very intriguing. ~$875

G&L Bluesboy semi-hollow (with F hole). It's a beaut, I had one without the F hole that was great, a little worried the F hole will be too "thin" sounding. ~$875

Hamer T-51 ~$700. I definitely have faith in the build quality and playbility. But, it might be too far away from a "traditional" 52 (or 62) style for this purpose. I just don't know.

Fender Baja Tele ~$600. I have never played one of these but I've heard the hype. This one has an especially cool looking neck, apparently fat U shaped and upgraded compensated saddles. Not sure about the pups/wiring in these guys though... is this a must upgrade? Also, Desert sand finish is blah, white pickguard has to go and MIM scares me a bit... I don't know why, it just does.

MIJ Tele's ~$650-800 are always an option. I've had a number of them, maybe 75% really did it for me and they almost always needed a better bridge/saddles and pickup/wiring upgrades. ~$650-800 for a project is a little steep at this point.

MIA Fenders $600-750. I just don't know... I've seen a number of these going for cheap, I have to wonder why. That bridge on the Am Standard (?) just looks horrible. I don't know if the booteek stuff is a direct fit for those anyway. Why are some of these so cheap (I've seen a number of them around $600-750; don't they list for $999)
Thoughts?

[romo]

The Baja tele is a good choice. IMO better then the American standards. It has a really awesome neck and the pickups sound nice as well. I don't care much about the S-1 switching but it already has a 4 way which is nice. You could probably do better than $600 (I know, I have one for sale for less than that;))

If I was going to buy a MIA standard tele it would have to be used. I just think the MIM classic guitars a simply better and cost less to justify buying a new MIA guitar instead. They would need a new bridge for sure. The necks on these all seem a little too thin for my tastes as well.

I really like the MIJ/CIJ Fenders. I recently picked up a Jerry Donahue which is a really cool guitar and the reason I have my Baja up for sale. Some of them have thin necks but other than upgrading the saddles I haven't had to do much work to mine to get them sounding nice.

[sears]

Other Japanese companies such as Fernandes and Tokai make tele copies made to the same standard as MIJ Fenders. Then you can better afford pots and pickups.

Or go to a big store and play 20 MIM Standards. There are really good ones out there.

[eternally found]

I'd say go with the very first G&L on your list. I love mine, although it's not a modded one like that. G&Ls have proven to kick any Fender I've played right out of the water. I love them! You won't be dissapointed!

[Boris Bubbanov]

USA G + Ls are just better money, used or NOS, than their Fender MIA counterparts; not terribly different in pains taken from a Custom Shop Tele, IMO.

Check you local Guitar Centers for close-out/blowout Classic Player Bajas. Not too many left; some guys are getting them for $ 399 plus tax.

I agree about there being almost nothing there in the MIA Fender category, $ 750. If the economy keeps crumbling, you will eventually find AV52s. - While no match dollar for dollar used against the right G + L, some of these (kinda rare) Highway One TEXAS Teles can be very nice. - The regular Highway Ones just don't get it for me until I change the neck, nut and tuners, the pickups, etc.

[bek]

The rather rare Washburn Laredo is an outstanding value, but most people won't part with them. They would probably sell around $800, I guess. First-class instrument; keep an eye out, not everyone knows about them. Used only, of course. Made only in 1993 and 1994, I think.

[Big White Tele]

Man, tough call, we all look for differnt things. I have a bunch of high end stuff and some vintage, and I can say that my old 85 MIJ tele does everything that the others do. I find myself picking that one up most of the time, mainly because i dont have to worry about it as much. Lots of great stuff out there.