Tele custom advice please

Matthutch

Hi everyone. I’m a new member here in the market for a new guitar.

I’m looking for a Tele Custom (humbucker in the neck version, not a bound body). I like the look of the 72 Classics that were around a few years ago and also the Vinteras. I have £600-700 so probably second hand but am keen to know what else, if anything, you think I should consider. Has to have a rosewood/pau ferro fingerboard rather than maple.

All thoughts opinions and ideas very welcome.
cheers in advance!
Matt 

Whitecat

The newest American Originals have genuine CuNiFe humbuckers in the neck (just like the old ones) and they are a vast improvement over the old wide range humbucker (not to mention more historically accurate). Going to be about double your budget sadly but if it were me I would save up or sell other things to get one - they are easily the best example of them Fender has done since they were introduced. 

Matthutch

Cheers. They do look great but I don’t have that much in the budget so I’ll need to look at cheaper alternatives

Matthutch

Any opinions on the classic vs vintera models?

Funkfingers

Matthutch said:

… Tele Custom (humbucker in the neck version) … I have £600-700 … All thoughts opinions and ideas very welcome.

Are you hell bent on having the four pots and sprung toggle selector switch control layout? If not, it might be more cost effective to modify a pre-owned Standard Series MIM Telecaster. For many years now, these have had a generous one-size-fits-all rout for the neck/Rhythm position pickup. With just a change of pickguard, you could have whatever pickup combination you wish.

A Telecaster Custom can only be a CBS-era lump with one Wide Range humbucker. The thing with edge binding is a Custom Telecaster (or Esquire). Fender even went to the trouble of spelling this out on the headstock decal.

Matthutch

No, I’m not bothered by having four pots, just want a neck humbucker. Maybe that’s the way to go!

earwighoney

Matthutch said:

No, I’m not bothered by having four pots, just want a neck humbucker. Maybe that’s the way to go!

A few MIM Teles are routed for a HB at the neck, eg the Nashville. Has a PF fretboard as well.

Loaded1me

G&L. Simples!
https://www.google.com/search?q=g&l+bluesboy+tribute+review&oq=g&l+bluesboy&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l4.13564j0j8&client=tablet-android-lenovo&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i

gazrichards

The tele custom 72 is usually a maple board. Rosewood is available but it’s far rarer. You may be better going for a standard or 60s reissue and modifying. 

Matthutch

Loaded1me said:

G&L. Simples!
https://www.google.com/search?q=g&l+bluesboy+tribute+review&oq=g&l+bluesboy&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l4.13564j0j8&client=tablet-android-lenovo&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i

I’ve never played a G&L. How do the compare to a Mexican Fender?

Matthutch

earwighoney said:

Matthutch said:

No, I’m not bothered by having four pots, just want a neck humbucker. Maybe that’s the way to go!

A few MIM Teles are routed for a HB at the neck, eg the Nashville. Has a PF fretboard as well.

Must admit I like the look of the Nashville Tele so that’s handy to know 

Funkfingers

The G&L Tribute Series ASAT has a slimmer neck profile, flatter fingerboard radius and larger fret wire than the MIM Fender. 

What they have in common is a weight problem.

G&L MFD pickups employ underslung ceramic bar magnets. The Special pickups are big - kinda like twangy P90s. The Classic model’s follow traditional shapes. The neck/Rhythm position unit reminds me a little of the Fender Twisted idea. It can be persuaded to sound a bit Stratty.

RaymondLin

Weight is pot luck, you can get lucky.  My Mexican Strat is light. under 7lb light.  It's not impossible!

Matthutch

I don’t mind heavy. I had a Tele plus in the 90s that weighed about as much as a Pygmy hippo but it was a great guitar!

Loaded1me

Matthutch said:

Loaded1me said:

G&L. Simples!
https://www.google.com/search?q=g&l+bluesboy+tribute+review&oq=g&l+bluesboy&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l4.13564j0j8&client=tablet-android-lenovo&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i

I’ve never played a G&L. How do the compare to a Mexican Fender?

Sorry not played a MIM, but the G & L's are fantastic guitars. In fact you might even get a used USA made ASAT for around your budget (maybe slightly more). I bought a used ASAT Bluesboy 90 (P90 in the neck rather than humbucker) for under £500. It's a fantastic guitar, and it's a toss up between my G & L Legacy (S Type) as to which is my number one. They both cover so much ground and so well made. I agree they aren't the lightest, but otherwise can't fault them.

Caffeine_Vampire

Could you stretch to a grand?

chrisj1602

I’d get a Vintera. They do the 72 Custom in fiesta red or sonic blue with pau ferro. I have two Vinteras, a Jazzmaster and a Strat and they are great. 

Matthutch

Caffeine_Vampire said:

Could you stretch to a grand?

Probably not. What are you thinking?

Caffeine_Vampire

Not mine and not affiliated but I do have one and although I've modded mine quite heavily (old WR 'bucker, stainless frets etc) it's excellent in its stock form... light weight, resonant, great neck etc. They don't come up often.

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/118933570/fender-usa-72-reissue-telecaster-custom.html?link=%2Fsearch%3Fkeyword%3Dtelecaster%2Bcustom

DrBob

I’d go for one of the Mexi ones from a few years back and upgrade the pickups 

victorludorum

You might be lucky and find and Am Std HH model from 2014/15 ish