Tele Necks: Baja vs. Classic Series '50s

[Craftmatic]

Just traded away my last Tele (a very relic-ed '78 maple neck/ash body) and now trying to decide which way to go with the next Tele in my life and I've narrowed it down to 2 relatively inexpensive maple neck/ash bodied models: the Baja & the Classic Series '50s Tele. I am used to the "fast" necks and that maple "snap" on late '60s and early '70s Fenders so I'm thinking the Classic '50s Tele neck would be a better fit for my hand. But then I have loved my ESP custom built Strat with soft V neck carve, a 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets so I wonder if the Baja would feel right? The thing is my ESP Strat is not a fat neck - it's medium.

So what do you think would be right for me? Or is there something Tele that has best of both worlds of the Baja and Classic '50s neck? I'm only interested in maple and gloss finished necks.

[Craftmatic]

Anybody home?

[noisemaker]

how bout going to the store and try out the necks???

[Craftmatic]

Originally Posted by noisemaker

how bout going to the store and try out the necks???

That would be great only GC doesn't carry the Classic Series '50's and I checked several stores in my state and I doubt they'd have the Baja. GC has a very diminished inventory these days. I even called the much esteemed and high-end Rudy's of NYC and they only had the Classic Series '60's Tele. In fact I've only seen one Classic Series '50's for sale on eBay, and it's new. Never see them used.

[skunx]

Originally Posted by noisemaker

how bout going to the store and try out the necks???

Not everybody lives in a mecca of infinite guitars to try.

[Craftmatic]

Originally Posted by skunx

Not everybody lives in a mecca of infinite guitars to try.

I live in a mecca and nobody has them.

[noisemaker]

Originally Posted by skunx

Not everybody lives in a mecca of infinite guitars to try.

there must be a way to try out the necks on the guitar..
not like he lives in arabia though

[Mr. Crow]

Originally Posted by noisemaker

how bout going to the store and try out the necks???

I live just outside of Philadelphia, with access to several chain stores (GC and Sam Ash) and also several independant stores. Not one of these places has a Baja or a Classic 50's Tele. I understand the OP's dilemma. Nothing wrong with asking for people's experiences with these guitars in light of his inability to find actual models to try. I have no doubt he exhausted that posssibilty before he posted.

[noisemaker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Crow

I live just outside of Philadelphia, with access to several chain stores (GC and Sam Ash) and also several independant stores. Not one of these places has a Baja or a Classic 50's Tele. I understand the OP's dilemma. Nothing wrong with asking for people's experiences with these guitars in light of his inability to find actual models to try. I have no doubt he exhausted that posssibilty before he posted.

thats wierd.. I live in iceland and there is 1 store here thats a fender dealer and im pretty sure they have them both.. atleast they have the baja

but I was just telling him to go and test them becouse no one can tell him what his experience with the neck is..
he basicly has to try it for him self to know what he wants..

[Slideman]

OK back to the neck discussion....I think the Baja will be a bit thinner and with a flatter radius. 50's Classic Tele necks have varied during production...some were U shaped; some were fat C shaped (despite what they say on the website). Mine happens to be a U shaped version...similar to some 70's necks -- very versatile, not too thin, not too fat. If you get one with a fatter C neck you may not be as happy. So it could be hit or miss unless you try them out.

[Craftmatic]

Originally Posted by noisemaker

thats wierd.. I live in iceland and there is 1 store here thats a fender dealer and im pretty sure they have them both.. atleast they have the baja

but I was just telling him to go and test them becouse no one can tell him what his experience with the neck is..
he basicly has to try it for him self to know what he wants..

Iceland...Cool! I mean it figuratively....oh never mind.

Called Sam Ash - there's a desert sand baja up north of me I'm going to try later!

[seiko]

Originally Posted by Craftmatic

I live in a mecca and nobody has them.

If you can get to Ludlow Guitars in NYC they had both last time I was there.