I quite fancy a telecaster...

fretmeister

a proper maple twangy country music telecaster.

Talk me out of it!

Or failing that - tell me about the good ones!

Tenebrous

Talking someone out of a telecaster would be one of the most disgusting things a human being could do. Why deprive someone of the greatest guitars that have ever been made, hmm?

Really though, what's your budget?

kswilson89

The American Professional (or whatever it's called these days) is pretty good bang for your buck!

stimpsonslostson

Squier CV50s is hard to beat for value. 

Thomann TE52 is amazing for the money. 

In the higher range I'd be looking at Baja models. 

dazzajl

In the right hands, a Squier Classic Vibe sounds amazing. In the wrong hands, a master built tele will sound totally uninspiring. 

Choose the one that feels right and fits your budget. 

Then show us lots of drool worthy pics 

Jimbro66

I started off with a totally crap used 1972 Fender Tele that I replaced as soon as I could afford it with a 1982 Schecter Tele that was vastly better.  There was little choice in those days but now you are spoiled for choice. Fender's offerings are excellent at all price points, as are those from other smaller manufacturers who generally sit in a higher price band.

Just set your budget and try a few, perhaps aiming high as you can always gain value by buying used.

DeeTee

Go and play a few! I don't say this to be facetious. The Classic Vibe necks divide opinion, so that might turn you off. The bridge pickup in most Teles are too shrill for some, so that might ruin it for you. The neck pickup is too bland for others, so that could scotch the entire thing. Upper fret access isn't great for others, so that could be the final nail in the coffin.

Or you might find the very one for you, and you know for sure that you want the thing. But at least you'll know!

Eggman

dazzajl said:

In the right hands, a Squier Classic Vibe sounds amazing. In the wrong hands, a master built tele will sound totally uninspiring. 

Choose the one that feels right and fits your budget. 

I agree with this. Nothing wrong with my Squier tele, it's my main gigging guitar at the moment. It's about what feels right for you.

fretmeister

Might have about £500 to play with once I've sold a few bits.

Quite happy to buy used.

tone1

My Old rosewood Tokai was ace and that was sold recently for just over you budget. I did have a 52 hot rod telecater, but the neck was so big that i couldn't play the thing, although it looked bloody ace. Telecasters are like Les Paul's for Fender lovers. My telecaster could do almost anything my Les Paul can. 

stickyfiddle

The only excuse for not having a Tele as your second guitar is if you already have one as your main guitar.

They’re fantastic instruments, not just for naff country or rubbish-indie stereotypes.

Tenebrous

fretmeister said:

Might have about £500 to play with once I've sold a few bits.

Quite happy to buy used.

Sounds like a used Baja would be a great buy. It's not really the tele-ist of tele's, but it's an incredibly versatile guitar that will hold up to anything for similar money.

guitarfishbay

I know you like lighter instruments so just beware some of the earlier Bajas were on the heavy side for Telecasters. I do love their stock pickups though.

Paul_C

dazzajl said:

In the right hands, a Squier Classic Vibe sounds amazing. In the wrong hands, a master built tele will sound totally uninspiring. 

Choose the one that feels right and fits your budget. 

Then show us lots of drool worthy pics 

I sold him a Squier Classic Vibe Tele . . .

prowla

I made a partscaster Tele based on Fender MIM body and neck - it turned out to be rather a good guitar!

CountryDave

Try a few and find one that you like the feel of, then plug it in.
If it sounds a bit harsh on the bridge pickup, wind the tone back a bit.
You are joining the club of those who ‘know’ that a Tele really can do most things.

fretmeister

Paul_C said:

dazzajl said:

In the right hands, a Squier Classic Vibe sounds amazing. In the wrong hands, a master built tele will sound totally uninspiring. 

Choose the one that feels right and fits your budget. 

Then show us lots of drool worthy pics 

I sold him a Squier Classic Vibe Tele . . .

You did indeed.

I think I sold that to Photek. That was a long time ago!

munckee

For your budget I would look at a mid 80s Mij tele or tokai. If partscasters are your thing for your budget I put together a us highway one body a nitro neck to my specs and top drawer electrics with uk made pickups, it's also a great project if you like such things. 

JezWynd

There’s a G&L ASAT in the classifieds atm, great guitar to test the water with.

kswilson89

Tenebrous said:

fretmeister said:

Might have about £500 to play with once I've sold a few bits.

Quite happy to buy used.

Sounds like a used Baja would be a great buy. It's not really the tele-ist of tele's, but it's an incredibly versatile guitar that will hold up to anything for similar money.

This, the Bajas are excellent.

JayGee

stickyfiddle said:

The only excuse for not having a Tele as your second guitar is if you already have one as your main guitar.

And it’s not even a very good excuse...