Telecaster Quest, NGD's and a lovely re-finish by lamf68 ( Pictures!)

Panama_Jack666

Over the last six months I’ve gone on a bit of a Telecaster mission for various reasons. The first being I joined an Americana/Country band and a tele is the best tool for the job. I did already have a custom built Warmoth telecaster which is excellent. I needed to get my hands on a backup tele as I found it was the only guitar I was playing.

 
So Telecaster number one…
 
Warmoth Custom Built job. This was the one which started my love affair with teles. It’s a bit of a mixture of all types of tele. Compound radius. Neck is a V profile which turns more into a C the further up you go. The neck is finished with gun stock oil. Big stainless steel frets. Suhr vintage pickups in it I believe. Weight slightly over 7lb. It’s finished in a really thin layer of poly. I have considered refinishing it but it really is super thin. It’s picked up many knocks over the years and has been all around the world. Mainly with another forumite who can make himself known if he wants to! He has pictures of it with a white guard on.

http://i.imgur.com/2cSH0Nb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gDVYBpF.jpg
 
Telecaster number two…
 
A MiM Classic Series 60’s tele. Originally bought from @Shaum of this very board (http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/86159/sold-fender-classic-series-60s-telecaster#latest ). When I originally got this, it was white. It definitely scratched the backup itch. But I was still craving something else in the tele department. My 30th birthday was fast approaching and I wanted a Nocaster. I’m supposed to be saving for a house so couldn’t justify Nocaster money… we’ll come back to that! So white tele was doing its job and I was happy with it. It’s medium light (7.5lbish) and the pickups were lovely. It’s just a good example of a tele! Small 60’s neck profile and I prefer chunkier 50’s style necks. It feels really nice though and I got used to it pretty quick.
 
The only thing I didn’t like was the Poly finish. Not for any other reason other than I’m a bit of a nitro freak. So off it went to @lamf68 for a re-finish. I received it back this week and I’m quite simply, amazed! I believe it’s a mixture of surf green and daphne blue maybe? I’m sure Rich can tell you exactly what it is! It’s very hard to photograph as the colour changes depending on the light it’s in. The reason I went for this colour? All my favourite Nashville players use teles which are similar in colour. What do you think? It’s a great re-finish. Literally flawless. Really nailed the glassy finish and polished look. I know he spent many hours getting this bang on and I think the effort he put in shows! Interestingly I believe the finish is to of a better quality than Telecaster number three. Before we go there though... have some pictures!

http://i.imgur.com/0EsCwFB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/80IHRR0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fRMWvzt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HNdSTto.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WyEFQvJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TfLJAsH.jpg
 
Telecaster number three…
 
Fender American Vintage Re-issue (1952). This is THE ONE! This is a 2016 model purchased off the forum from @pottolom ;. This has definitely scratched the Nocaster itch. Really chunky neck. The finish on it is bizarre. Really thin nitro finish that seems to flake off like it is poly. Pictures below after a night of work at a pub gig. I don’t remember knocking it. It’s picked up a few knocks like this along the way although these two are by far the worst. Really well balanced pickups. Small frets (which did take some getting used to). Weighs is just over 7.5 lbs. A REALLY good example of a 50’s tele.

http://i.imgur.com/lf1QjIZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0gwJRQH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mS6fMaK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rzSLRsT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RhAqj54.jpg
 
Teles that didn’t make the cut…
 
Two! Both Mexican. One is a Baja which had been re-finished and Fender Bigsby added. This thing was a beast. I never actually weighed it but I would be surprised if it was under 10lbs! Didn’t sound as lively as the lighter teles. The other that didn’t make it was my 2016 Roadworn which I’ve got in the classifieds now. Not quite as heavy as the Baja. In the upper region of 8 pounds. Really lovely neck on it. Big frets. Not super chunky but not small either. Very close to my Warmoth neck in feel and size. One of the nicest necks I’ve played. Bottom line is it isn’t as good as the AVRI 52. I wanted a Roadworn for so long. It almost met my expectations but the avri just blew it out of the water. I would be keeping it if I hadn't just casually browsed the classifieds one day!

What I learned…

I've also had access to a Nocaster in this time and custom build MJT. Both excellent guitars. Nocaster probably weighs just over 7lb. MJT in the region of 6 - 6.5 lbs I reckon! Picture below is my Roadworn, with the Nocaster and MJT. Roadworn bought from someone else who swapped out the bridge pickup for some sort of cheap nasty hot rail.

http://i.imgur.com/RhAqj54.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4swXyc6.jpg

Here is a photo of Nocaster, AVRI, and Roadworn

http://i.imgur.com/tVsxfyl.jpg

I've concluded that weights definitely matter when it comes to tele's in regards to my preference. Lighter ones seem much more alive. I've got an R7 that weighs 8.8lbs (which hasn't left it's case in a few months!). A Telecastser shouldn't weigh more than a Les Paul in my opinion - and I use my R7 as the measure. Ideally I want a tele to be 7.5lbs and under. 
 
If you can get your hands on a light Baja, I bet they’re amazing. I’ve played my fair share (7 or 8, maybe more) and I’ve not come across one that’s 'light'.
 
The tele is such a simple guitar. There’s no reasons why a Mexican can’t rival an American. It’s essentially a chopping board with a neck attached! 

If you need a re-finish, @lamf68 is your man! 

Moral of the story...

If I didn't buy four different Telecasters, I probably could have just got my Nocaster with a grand to spare! I'm happy now though, No Nocaster needed!

If you've made it this far, I'll buy you a pint if I ever meet you.
 
Link to more pictures below! Link to me playing the AVRI 52’ below as well.

http://i.imgur.com/gBhS5iM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6KxKwZi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qFoxrvS.jpg



Cheers

Panama_Jack666

Edit - I know one of the pictures has posted twice. Not sure why but it won't let me edit it out! D'oh!

Sassafras

I stayed with it till the bitter end and I claim my free pint.

Great things, Teles.

Panama_Jack666

Sassafras said:

I stayed with it till the bitter end and I claim my free pint.

Great things, Teles.

Noted! 

Teyeplayer

Really interesting thread, cheers dude. I currently have the same 'need another tele' itch...you've only made it worse!

Panama_Jack666

Teyeplayer said:

Really interesting thread, cheers dude. I currently have the same 'need another tele' itch...you've only made it worse!

Cheers!

I may need one more too... That's the perfect number! +1! Something with a Bigsby would be cool... Or a Nashville style... Or a double bound... 

Bollocks. Here we go again!

DulcetJones

I couldn't stop.  While I compliment you on a beautiful collection of teles I am trying to find a way to put my own wallet somewhere that I can't get at it......

jimboflojo

Wow! All look lovely but that 60s tele looks amazing!! Great work

lamf68

Damo, I based the seafoam-ish on Bolans Jaguar and the original pic you sent me of that jangly fella with the tele. It was a difficult colour to get right and will age lovely, it'll become greener as the years clock up on it. Delighted you approved of it, it's always hard trying to nail a colour for someone from a solitary picture as it looks different depending on what computer screen it's viewed on. And as you know now, the pictures are not a true reflection of the colour that this actually is. It's a beaut regardless and I'm gonna do myself a Jaguar with matching headstock the same...enjoy mate and thanks again for your patience, I did lose two compressors, two relatives and my will to live during this job

Steffo

Have a WOW, the light blue one looks awesome. Tempted to get one like that!

Panama_Jack666

lamf68 said:

Damo, I based the seafoam-ish on Bolans Jaguar and the original pic you sent me of that jangly fella with the tele. It was a difficult colour to get right and will age lovely, it'll become greener as the years clock up on it. Delighted you approved of it, it's always hard trying to nail a colour for someone from a solitary picture as it looks different depending on what computer screen it's viewed on. And as you know now, the pictures are not a true reflection of the colour that this actually is. It's a beaut regardless and I'm gonna do myself a Jaguar with matching headstock the same...enjoy mate and thanks again for your patience, I did lose two compressors, two relatives and my will to live during this job

Yeah - very hard to capture the colour. I think you've nailed it! I was gigging it last night under stage lights and depending on what's shining on it, it goes anywhere from white to deep green!

Relatives and compressors can be replaced... You gained a customer for life! Ha!

Seriously though, thanks for your efforts. I cannot recommend your skills enough!

Panama_Jack666

Steffo said:

Have a WOW, the light blue one looks awesome. Tempted to get one like that!

Cheers! It's definitely unique!

Panama_Jack666

jimboflojo said:

Wow! All look lovely but that 60s tele looks amazing!! Great work

Cheers! It's all @lamf68

Neil

That blue one!!!!

GavRichList

That AV52. Mmmmm. Want. 

marktheharp

Love all the tele's especially the surf blue/green.great paint job.
Damo, 
Do you play the Harrogate blues bar' ? And please name your band ?as not too far from you and love Americana. If your on Facebook please message me a link and I will  come and check it out..  
Cheers 
Mark. 

sticker

Now I want 2 more Teles .....dammmit !

Panama_Jack666

marktheharp said:

Love all the tele's especially the surf blue/green.great paint job.
Damo, 
Do you play the Harrogate blues bar' ? And please name your band ?as not too far from you and love Americana. If your on Facebook please message me a link and I will  come and check it out..  
Cheers 
Mark. 

Hi Mark! Sorry for the slow reply! Yesh we play at the Blues Bar! Will check the next date we have there! Would be great to have you along. 

We're called Dori & The Outlaws. I'm called Jack Allen on FB. Giz an add! Will message a link across tonight!

CountryDave

Great collection.  I love my 52RI too.  It's very light and resonant and does everything I need.  Currently selling off a bunch of stuff I'm not using because all I'm picking up is the tele.