So, tell me about Nocasters

[StevenS]

I'm primarily a Les Paul player but I'm thinking about getting a nice Tele.

I've been looking at Custom Shop models and keep coming back to the Nocaster for some reason.

Do many people here have one? What can you tell me about them?

The switch set up looks to be a bit different, and the string saddles look like intonation might be tough, but I like the idea of the big neck.

I don't know, is there a reason I should be considering one of these over say a Custom Classic maybe?

I'll have to order online,so any help would be appeciated.

 

[M40A1]

According to the FCS, they have stopped taking orders for their 2012 line of guitars (see link below, Mike Eldred is the head of the FCS). Have you looked at the websites of the Canadian FCS dealers to see what they may have in stock?

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=76216

Canadian FCS dealers: http://www.fendercustomshop.com/index.php/search/showcase/canada/

 

[sidekick]

Mainly a Les Paul guy myself.

Had an early Cunetto-era Nocaster and now have a '07 Thinline Nocaster. Both were and are great guitars. Intonation, (saddles) is compensated on them, so not usually a problem. Bear in mind that until you get used to a Nocaster, any 'bum' note will sound more evident than on a LP.... That is my experience anyway ;-)

Being that you are used to Les Pauls, make sure you go for a Nocaster with a 9.5 neck radius.

I really like my Thinline Nocaster and not a guitar that I would readily sell.

 

[Liquid_Mojo]

They have fat necks, but one of the most comfortable necks to play. The Nocaster bridge sounds the way a good bridge Tele pickup should. Bright and spanky. The neck pickup is a bit muddy, but the middle position balances it out. I also agree with the bum note sound being more present then with a LP comment above.

 

[soopajeanmi]

Make sure you try one, because you might love or hate the neck. I love Gibson necks and also love the fat neck of my 2000 Nocaster. It's a fantastic guitar (the best tele I've ever played, except for the '55 Fleming).

 

[jo2012]

They are probably the most Unforgiving guitars. Any 'bad' note is obvious.

 

[Butterscotch]

One of the best guitars to come out of the Custom Shop, IMO.

 

[shane8]

just pick 1 already http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender_custom_shop/dealer_select_wildwood_10/51_nocaster.htm

all the spex + many vids

also a couple here http://www.themusiczoo.com/category/FCG1/Fender-Custom-Shop-Guitars/

 

[omfg51]

Originally, the telecaster was called, the broadcaster. I believe these were made in like 49 and 50. Gretsch had a drum set named the broadcaster, so they sued Fender. for about a half a year, the teles were put out with no name on the head stock. That's where your name comes from. Other than that, they are pretty much the same as the normal 51/52 tele or a 52 RI.

 

[Bluesdaddy]

Iv'e only ever tried one , being from Atlantic Canada too they are kind if rare around here. I really liked it but didn't have the funds . I did have a custom classic and didn't find it had much of a classic tele sound . Have you considered a Larrivee Bakersfield? I just got one and love it , nice chunky neck , great hardware and pickups . It's actually the best tele iv'e played

 

[mtsusean]

one in the classifieds here

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1146987

 

[vanguard]

i've got two 2000's nocasters and they are the best guitars i've ever found.

it seems LP guys tend to really like the nocaster because of its beefy (for a single coil) tone and fat neck.

those who say the neck pickup is dark are either not experienced with telecasters or have a bad pickup. i'm mainly a TDPRI guy, am obsessed with teles and have owned more of them and pickup sets than i could count. of all the neck pickups i've owned (probably over 40 at this point) the nocaster is in the top 10% as far as clarity, power, and brightness are concerned. i've owned don mare's stelly, fred stuart's tall neck, twisted tele, and jason lollar's alnico III, and the nocaster was the most "strat-like" of them all.

seriously for consistency, model design, attention to detail, historic accuracy, fit/finish, etc. i'd argue the CS nocaster (2000-2010 model is what i have experience with) is the overall greatest model fender has ever made. there are ridiculous pre-CBS teles out there, but they were never as consistently great as the '51 nocaster ri. i've never heard of anyone getting other than an amazing guitar when buying them (thus they're one of the only models i'll buy without playing first).

they are HARDCORE traditionalist teles, though, so they're not for those who must have modern appointments; they're the prototypical "cutting board and baseball bat" guitar. the post-2010 models do have a flatter radius, bigger frets, and different pickups - so it may be more far-reaching as far as players go (though i see all those "updates" as weaknesses. it should be called the "nocaster hot rod").

 

[Cottage]

I personally hate the neck. I realize I'm bucking the trend, but large boatnecks just don't do it for me. I like the nocaster p/ups though. Better try one first.

 

[vanguard]

I personally hate the neck. I realize I'm bucking the trend, but large boatnecks just don't do it for me. I like the nocaster p/ups though. Better try one first.

good for you. it seems a lot of players these days are acquiring fat necks simply for "the toanz!!!", or just because they're kind of in vogue at the moment for whatever reason.

i wonder how many players are rocking fat necks even though they'd play better and/or feel better on a thinner neck.

 

[stevieboy]

Fat necks are still by far in the minority.

Maybe some players just like fat necks. You like thinner necks, great, play them. Why does everything have to be an issue around here?

For the OP, the latest Nocasters came with 9 1/2 inch fretboards, 6105 frets, three way switch wired neck/both/bridge, and Twisted Tele pickups. I have one, and think it's the best tele I've ever owned, and I've probably owned at least 12. I had one of the earlier ones, great guitar too, I just like the appointments of the new one better, including the pickups. Of course, many people like the older ones better.

 

[nosacter]

You can save a lot of money and get equal or better tone from a plain old AVRI 52, IMHO. The neck isn't as big as a Nocaster, but it's a nice handful and very playable for most any player. Either way you go, I suggest you demand the 7 1/4" radius and skinny frets because the flatter board and bigger frets really blunt the burn and edgy chime that are the tonal reasons you play a Tele. Really. I've owned both, and while the traditional neck takes a little playing in, it's well worth it from a tone standpoint.

 

[StevenS]

Well, I was looking at a few and ended up with this one.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221137242674?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


It looks to be in really good shape, and hopefully will turn out to be a nice guitar.

I've bought most of my 'nice' guitars online after having done a lot of research have really only been disappointed once.

Hope this one's a keeper!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[vanguard]

Well, I was looking at a few and ended up with this one.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221137242674?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

It looks to be in really good shape, and hopefully will turn out to be a nice guitar.

I've bought all of my 'nice' guitars online after having done a lot of research have only been disappointed once.

Hope this one's a keeper!

Thanks for all the help!

NOS FTW! and you got a time-machine rather than the new one too - nice!

like i said before, i think you're safe ordering online with the nocaster. as long as you like its somewhat antiquated specs i'm sure it'll be a killer guitar.

congrats!

 

[Butterscotch]

That one looks really nice!

 

[stephenyi]

Congrats! Looks like you made a fantastic choice.