Best Tele under 1k?

[ZepFuzz05]

I'm sure this subject has been beaten to death, but I'm going to inquire anyway. I'm looking for a Tele-style guitar under $1,000 (want a fat neck, but beyond that, not too picky). What's going to be the best quality instrument for that price range?

[RossNRoll]

there are plenty of great used USA made fender tele's out there. and a ton of other great brand choices.. This is a wide open search topic. Hope you get some good input!

[larimar]

Best bet might be to hunt down a deal on a used MIM or USA Tele and slap on an aftermarket neck that is fat.

[poolshark]

Other than a used '52 Reissue, I can't think of a stock fat-necked Telecaster below $1k. That said, aside from building one to spec, I can't think of many Telecasters I'd prefer to a good 52RI.

[gixxerrock]

for me it turned out to be a used G&L ASAT special - not exactly a Tele

[metropolis74]

Fender Baja Tele. Under a grand and fat neck. The pickups are great too.

[Kitten Cannon]

Road Worn.
Baja.
Hwy 1's can be, but they're hit or miss.

/thread

[TresGatos]

Fender Baja Tele. Under a grand and fat neck. The pickups are great too.

That's the one. I think the Muddy Waters Tele is a fat neck too, but rosewood.

[raul]

buy two squier CV guitars, a 50's and a Custom...fun guitars! maybe even swap pickups if you want...but, these are some cool guitars for sure!

[mark norwine]

does the name on the headstock matter?

Chances are you can find a **KILLER** used parts-caster for $500...

[Marty DiBergi]

I would patiently trawl craigslist until a reasonably priced AVRI '52 tele appears... they can be found used for $1k (and, very occasionally, less than that) and you'll get your quintessential Fender plank.

[h20man]

Find a lighter Baja Tele. You will be very happy.

[wingwalker]

Get a MIM Classic 50's or 60's Telecaster ($700 new) and upgrade the pickups ($175 for Duncan Antiquities new)...add a set of brass saddles ($15 new from Stew-Mac) and then if you want to add a hardcase ($110 for the SKB/Fender case, new) and you're in a smokin' piece with tone for days a nice fat neck and it's ready to go and you're out of pocket right at a grand if you buy all new!

You'll save a ton if you buy used and FWIW, I have a MIM Classic 50's Esquire and it holds it own with my American Tele and my Cleveland Guitars Broadcaster!

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Classic-Series-50s-Telecaster-Electric-Guitar?sku=510138

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seymour-Duncan-Antiquity-for-Tele?sku=H68344

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seymour-Duncan-Antiquity-for-1955-Tele?sku=H68351

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridge_parts/Compensated_Bridge_Saddles_for_Tele.html

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-SKB-Molded-Case-for-Right-or-Left-Hand-Strat-or-Tele-Guitars?sku=476086

[starjag]

Other than a used '52 Reissue, I can't think of a stock fat-necked Telecaster below $1k. That said, aside from building one to spec, I can't think of many Telecasters I'd prefer to a good 52RI.

Baja or MIM Classic 50s... nice chunky necks!

[Rock Johnson]

Squier classic vibe with an aftermarket neck to your taste.

[Redrum]

Baja is definitely one option. I also have a Fender 72' Reissue Tele Thinline (CIJ) that has an extremely wide neck as well. Not sure if you are interested in a humbucking Tele, but the 72' Thinline might be worth a look if you are.

[cugel]

does the name on the headstock matter?

Chances are you can find a **KILLER** used parts-caster for $500...


this is the answer

[Brett Faust]

I'm sure this subject has been beaten to death, but I'm going to inquire anyway. I'm looking for a Tele-style guitar under $1,000 (want a fat neck, but beyond that, not too picky). What's going to be the best quality instrument for that price range?

Maple or rosewood fretboard?

[burns]

Mid eighties MIJ Fender. Toss in a pair of Lollars. Well under a grand.

[ZepFuzz05]

Maple or rosewood fretboard?

Either one - I'm not terribly picky. The profile and quality of the neck is my biggest concern, the fretboard wood isn't as big an issue.

I've actually been quite tempted by the idea of an Esquire, since the simplicity of a single pickup really, really appeals to me. I've also been music about contacting Benford guitars about building a custom Esquire, but I haven't done it yet. . .still not exactly sure what I want to do with this, just checking out my options at the moment.

[fellsilver]

I'm not sure what the consensus is on these, but if you can find one I humbly recommend the Fender Joe Strummer Tele.

Granted, the concept and many of its features probably have Joe spinning in his grave, but I got one on closeout at MF and I've gotta say it's one of the best Teles I've ever played.

The neck is *amazing.* The Relic job on it is worn in exactly the right places for the "fiddly bits" (another very non-Strummerish feature), and the shape is a very comfy place between U- and C.

The body is uglier than sin and coated in some kind of strange decal that's supposed to be a worn-and-primered sunburst, but the hardware and electronics are all top notch.

It's the only guitar I've had in the last 10 years that I haven't even thought about putting pickups in, and the pots and switch are all US parts (the guitar itself is MIM).

They really shouldda called it a "Road Worn '60's," but unlike the Road Worn series it comes with a really nice hardshell case. I think they were going for 500-600 USD last time I saw one.

[Polynitro]

MIM Classic 50s or Esquier.

[nastynate]

72 Tele Custom reissue. They have a nice, fat U-shaped neck, and come standard with a single/humbucker pickup combo.

[ZepFuzz05]

I just sent Steve Benford an email to get an idea of what it would take to have a top-loader Esquire built. His work looks awesome, so we'll see how this goes.

[pickslide]

If you want to have one made to your specs you can contact Marc Burton aka Superlead here on the board. I have him building me a tele and a strat.

[straightblues]

There seem to be lots of great deals on parts teles showing up lately. I would keep my eyes open for one of them.

If you want to go new, get one of the vintage vibe teles and put a set of Don Mare pickups in it. It will be great.