Recommend me a Fender dealer--who will "pick me out a good one"?

[readymade]

I've got an itch for another Telecaster and while I'm not quite in a position to purchase one in the immediate future, I'm trying to save up. I'm specifically interested in a 62 Tele Custom AVRI--I like the necks on them, vintage frets and all. I know the ideal situation would be to play one myself, but I've NEVER seen one of these for sale locally, and my last sight unseen purchase from MF was a bit of a disappointment.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[Backless]

Dave's or Wildwood. Either one will pick a good one for you.

[itkindaworks]

Who do they give the bad ones to?

[rwijaya]

california vintage guitars always has amazing selection of fenders in their store. the owners are touring musician and knows how to pick awesome instrument.

http://www.californiavintageguitarandamp.com/

[watchingme]

Originally Posted by itkindaworks

Who do they give the bad ones to?

I've always wondered this too?...Maybe somebody calls them and says "Pick me out a crappy one, will ya?"

[Martin82]

Delete

[readymade]

Originally Posted by itkindaworks

Who do they give the bad ones to?

I know my premise might seem a wee bit ridiculous, but as I said in my original post, my last order from Musicians Friend turned out to be a pretty crappy guitar with flaws that I might expect a smaller shop to at least notice before shipping. And I'm NOT terribly anal about cosmetic stuff.

[DonM]

A good Tele should resonate loud and solid when strummed acoustically,

a good indicator of a good one is found at the saddles.... preferably 3-barrels...

If you look closely at the 3 intonation screws - they should be _in-line_ parallel to the strings - this indicates that the neck-pocket depth is correct.. and not _out of specs_ ( full of paint etc..)

If you see these 3 screws pointing up like a_ CANNON_ that guitars in trouble!
it will never resonate very well or have volume and punch, let alone signature Tele Twang!
and should be routed out and corrected!!!!...

but Ive seen a TON of these in stores with HIGH SADDLES and intonation screws pointing up at the strings like cannons.. these all sound the same - THIN and BRIGHT and NO-punch or solid sound.. and pickup swaps do very little to solve this... they really need the neck lowered into the pockets.. very risky task!

A Tele with the intonation screws running parallel with the strings and saddles are at medium heights.. will sound SOLID and like Pianos when strummed hard acoustically -- this will translate thru the pickups with ease, and you'll have found your "Holy Grail Tele"

best o' luck
I hope this helps
DM

[itkindaworks]

Originally Posted by readymade

I know my premise might seem a wee bit ridiculous, but as I said in my original post, my last order from Musicians Friend turned out to be a pretty crappy guitar with flaws that I might expect a smaller shop to at least notice before shipping. And I'm NOT terribly anal about cosmetic stuff.

No, if I were buying one I'd like to have it sorted through as well. Obviously my post is kidding, but I seriously do wonder what happens when they have sorted through the "good ones". Best of luck on the search.

Originally Posted by DonM

A good Tele should resonate loud and solid when strummed acoustically,

a good indicator of a good one is found at the saddles.... preferably 3-barrels...

If you look closely at the 3 intonation screws - they should be _in-line_ parallel to the strings - this indicates that the neck-pocket depth is correct.. and not _out of specs_ ( full of paint etc..)

If you see these 3 screws pointing up like a_ CANNON_ that guitars in trouble!
it will never resonate very well or have volume and punch, let alone signature Tele Twang!
and should be routed out and corrected!!!!...

but Ive seen a TON of these in stores with HIGH SADDLES and intonation screws pointing up at the strings like cannons.. these all sound the same - THIN and BRIGHT and NO-punch or solid sound.. and pickup swaps do very little to solve this... they really need the neck lowered into the pockets.. very risky task!

A Tele with the intonation screws running parallel with the strings and saddles are at medium heights.. will sound SOLID and like Pianos when strummed hard acoustically -- this will translate thru the pickups with ease, and you'll have found your "Holy Grail Tele"

best o' luck
I hope this helps
DM

This is really useful, I had a tele once that had the cannons as you call them and you're right, it just didn't sound like it should.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by itkindaworks

No, if I were buying one I'd like to have it sorted through as well. Obviously my post is kidding, but I seriously do wonder what happens when they have sorted through the "good ones". Best of luck on the search.

Apparently Musicians Friend gets 'em!

[pedalcr8z]

Call Eric at Willcutt's or Stu at Fat Sound.

[9fingers]

+1 for Dave's!

[jads57]

Big Plus +1 for Dave's Guitars!

[teleblaster]

Originally Posted by DonM

A good Tele should resonate loud and solid when strummed acoustically,

a good indicator of a good one is found at the saddles.... preferably 3-barrels...

If you look closely at the 3 intonation screws - they should be _in-line_ parallel to the strings - this indicates that the neck-pocket depth is correct.. and not _out of specs_ ( full of paint etc..)

If you see these 3 screws pointing up like a_ CANNON_ that guitars in trouble!
it will never resonate very well or have volume and punch, let alone signature Tele Twang!
and should be routed out and corrected!!!!...

but Ive seen a TON of these in stores with HIGH SADDLES and intonation screws pointing up at the strings like cannons.. these all sound the same - THIN and BRIGHT and NO-punch or solid sound.. and pickup swaps do very little to solve this... they really need the neck lowered into the pockets.. very risky task!

A Tele with the intonation screws running parallel with the strings and saddles are at medium heights.. will sound SOLID and like Pianos when strummed hard acoustically -- this will translate thru the pickups with ease, and you'll have found your "Holy Grail Tele"

best o' luck
I hope this helps
DM

Ive never seen a tele with intonation screws parallel with the strings, and thats a hole lot of fender CS guitars. They all point up a little. For the screws to be parallel to the strings would make for some impossible low action at least on the guitars ive seen and played. Maybe ive just never got a hold of one like that. Now you got me wondering.

[mhz88]

another big + for Dave's