Can a man splurge a grand plus on a pro tele when he is, at best, a competent player

Placidcasual79

All the gear - no idea.......

ThorpyFX

well, are all ferrari and lamborghini drivers professional racers? do you have to be a model to wear designer clothes? As long you can afford it, aren't making your kids starve and enjoy the guitar... who cares what perceived wisdom states. there is an argument that if you have a well setup and easy to play guitar, it makes learning easier. 

slacker

Yes

Jackobean

Nah, your card will be declined for 'insufficient talent'.

digitalscream

Yes. If not, I wouldn't be able to have my prized bits of wire-and-wood...

If it makes you happy, buy it. End of.

richardhomer

Absolutely - I know someone with about a dozen high end guitars who's a fucking dreadful player.

CasperCaster

I've splashed more than that on guitars in the past.

And at best I am..............................incompetent!

horse

Yes

ICBM

Yes, in fact a decent Tele will make you look less like a prat with all the gear and no idea than something like a PRS or even a Les Paul will . Assuming it's a proper Tele, at least. Teles look like workingman's guitars, and the average punter can't tell the difference between a cheap Mexican Fender and a US Custom Shop one anyway.

In fact it's arguable that the average guitar player can't either .

I bought a Martin 12-string when I could barely play. It was probably the best thing I ever did to improve my playing, because it sounded so beautiful when I did occasionally get something right that I then put in the effort to get it right more often.

The beauty of a Tele is that it's *both* one of the easiest electric guitars to play in that even very basic stuff sounds good on it, and one of the hardest in that it's difficult to get the best out of it. I've always disagreed with the idea that they're 'unforgiving', but they're certainly very player-sensitive.

underdog

richardhomer said:

Absolutely - I know someone with about a dozen high end guitars who's a fucking dreadful player.

I wasn't aware we knew each other?

stratman3142

Hopefully the answer is yes. I spent well over a grand on a new Telecaster Professional around Xmas. It's a truly great guitar and I play it more than my Les Paul, which cost a lot more.

Gassage

Oh for sure.

I'm not even competant yet my strat is worth more than both of my cars.

amarok1971

i have 4 core prsi (and another incoming  ) and im REALLY shite

Placidcasual79

@stratman3142 - interesting - whats it like weight wise. I have a bad back and I am looking for a light guitar - the pro's are light aren't they?

@ICBM - its true, live I play a Mexican tele I've modded - but I think most people can't tell the difference between cheap and expensive Tele's - thats the appeal for me - not very ostentatious.

@Jackobean - lol - I believe they have a special siren that sounds as well..... pretty embarrassing. 

usedtobe

If you can afford it, and you think it's worth it, then yes.

Placidcasual79

usedtobe said:

If you can afford it, and you think it's worth it, then yes.

Its hard to know if you can ever afford these things. Following the break down of my 12 relationship with the mother of my children I now find myself living with my old man earning nearly a grand a week. So technically I can totally afford it. But the money could always be spent on something else. 

I'll be renting again soon so I guess its a now or never type scenario. 

Bucket

Yes. Always buy the best thing you can afford.

stratman3142

Placidcasual79 said:

@stratman3142 - interesting - whats it like weight wise. I have a bad back and I am looking for a light guitar - the pro's are light aren't they?
 

Mine's the actual butterscotch Tele in the video below and, as Danish Pete says at 20:12, it's incredibly light. I got it from Andertons just after seeing the demo.

EricTheWeary

Russell Howard collects guitars ( I'm not quite sure what but let's assume relatively posh stuff) but can't play a note.

People spend all sorts. Years ago I knew a guy who had a custom made Status 5 string bass to learn on. He was clueless but he had the most amazing bass. He certainly wasn't wealthy but he could still pay the rent. 

Whereas I am a guitar God and I have really cheap stuff  

amarok1971

you only live one so buy it, oh and eat your pudding first too 

Philly_Q

richardhomer said:

Absolutely - I know someone with about a dozen high end guitars who's a fucking dreadful player.

There are probably quite a few of us feeling uncomfortable after that comment....