It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
I've owned a few Telecasters in my time and currently have one CS (recently acquired) and one USA. The CS is a little more magical, but the USA is damn good. Try a few if you need to.
The problem I have is that I've waited for months and months for the 'right' CS to come along and I haven't spotted a single one; needs to be bound Tele, 3T SB, R/W FB and I'm not really prepared to compromise.. Seem's like if I am going to get one it would have to be new or keep waiting for something that may never appear..
Si
In terms of alternative brands, the LSL stuff at Peach has caught my eye recently, they look pretty cool. Palir also makes a nice T-style (World Guitars sells) but I personally am annoyed by the headstock design, it looks too small to me with the strings overhanging the cutout on the bottom. Wicked guitars otherwise though and if I really found the right one I wouldn't actually worry about that too much.
I also tried one of the American Original bound teles, and that was fantastic also. Well worth the £!
I'm a huge fan of custom shop instruments on the Gibson side, but am yet to own a fender one - have played loads though.
A tele is quite a simple object really, not much to go wrong, strats have a bit more going on and despite this I am yet to find a better playing and sounding strat than my 62 AVRI. It knocks the socks off my MIA and MIM standards and has been better in my hands than any custom shop strat I've tried (not by much though).
I very much like the finishes of the custom shop stuff though, and perhaps there are other subtleties that I'm not aware about.
I'd have a word with @guitars4you though, great service by everything I've heard on the forum (hopefully will purchase something from him myself at some point )
http://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/electric-guitars/fender-custom-shop-masterbuilt-53-tele-tan-line-heavy-relic-nocaster-blonde.htm
The problems for me are;
a) Whilst I think CS guitars are great I don't consider them worth the asking price personally so absolute last resort would be buying new.
b) Finding a S/H CS to my spec is like Unicorn hunting - again part of the challenge is my restricted spec and I don't want a relic as it's not my thing - of course I would be prepared to compromise a little on the relic side but it would have to be a 'light' level and I face the limited supply side challenge
c) If I was going to go for a new Ameri 60's bound I'd want to try as many as poss and ensure I pick what suits me best; trying to find a retailer with a decent stock level appears to be somewhat of a challenge at the mo but I'll keep hunting. The advantage here is that there is at least something in the supply chain that meets my spec..
Tough decisions..
Si
A second hand Nash tele might be worth a look
I have both, A, C.S. N.O.S Tele custom, in black, & an American Original in Fiesta Red.
The, Original, does hold it's own against the Custom shop.
https://www.guitars4you.co.uk/guitars/5618-fender-custom-shop-vintage-custom-1959-custom-tele/ - This has just arrived into stock - similar but barely aged at all
Chances of finding any used NOS finish will be a long search - Around 80% of the CS business is composed of aged finishes, so used and you'll find very little out there with such a specific spec that you require
Let me know if I can help further
You can as you say create/place your own order to your own spec - But around 6 month waiting time and as you say you are buying without trying - I do undertake such orders, but my opinion is to buy what is on the shelf if you can
Modern tuners - maybe locking - Believe it is a Custom Deluxe or similar
Obviously good at Gymnastics to balance all on its own like that
Mark at @guitars4you is right, it's the Custom Deluxe, and I didn't know that they were harder to shift than others until someone told me the other day. I don't know WHY they are, to be honest - Fenders aren't my strong point. I suppose it just illustrates the huge range of specs and choice out there. A 1955 Gibson ES-125, on the other hand - sunburst, or, erm, sunburst? I'll go with the sunburst.
Mark, I'd be going with your advice of choosing used.