I had started a thread recently saying that I think I want a Telecaster, having never really liked any of the ones I had tried over the years, but I really wanted to see what the fuss is all about. Having looked around at the various Mexican models, I was going to try one of the Vintera series, maybe the roadworn, or the Nashville Deluxe (seeing as i've been a Strat player all my life, I thought that would be the easiest way in), but then I came across the Guitar Guitar Exclusive Player models. These are the standard Player series, but with a different spec - in this case a Roasted Maple neck and fingerboard, and Custom Shop Nocaster pickups.
Fender guitarguitar Exclusive Roasted Player Tele Butterscotch Blonde Roasted Maple Neck/Fingerboard with Custom Shop PickupsI bought one off a chap on eBay for considerably less than the shop price (still had swing tags and plastic on etc), and it arrived last week. I unwrapped it, and instantly took it to my local Tech as the set up was absolutely appalling - anyway, got it back today and I have to say that i'm extremely impressed. The neck is gorgeous (I have a Roasted Maple neck on my Suhr Classic S and I adore it), and the pickups are fantastic - quite hot, I think, but easily tamed. Build quality isn't too bad - there are a few little things here and there, but in the main it's not bad quality.
I haven't tried it through my amps yet as they're locked away at the rehearsal space, but through Helix Native, S-Gear and the Cory Wong Archetype plugin it sounds great! I'm looking forward to playing it live through my normal rig, but first impressions are very, very good.
This week's procrastination forum might be moved to sometime next week.
Comments
I love the neck pickup sounds, but the bridge is fun too. That the old style look I prefer too.
The 6 saddles are a much needed improvement. As are the 9.5" radius and 22 frets. Enjoy!
I was looking at the brass saddle bridge, but I quite like my guitars in tune.
The one thing I think that does need changing out is the machine heads - they’re not great.
Thanks, yeah it’s nice learning how to play around the different sounds. I’m not sure a Tele would ever become my number one, but I’ll keep my options open.
Odd you should have a problem with the stock tuners, as those should be very good quality. They look the same type as on my 1988 USA Telecaster standard, which are very good. If you're having tuning issues are you sure it's not string slippage causing a problem? Have you added a bit of graphite into the nut slots and stretched the strings in, - a locking 'wind' next time you restring should stop any slippage.
Compensated saddles go most of the way to curing intonation problems. The "proper" solution is to bend each of the strings by the necessary amount to get all the notes.
I’ll look into the bridge at some point, not a massive deal for me at the moment as I’ve just paid to have this one set up.
Re: Machine heads - Its not tuning, per se, it’s just that they don’t feel like they “grab” properly when turning. Almost like they turn but nothing happens, then all of a sudden they turn. Weird, but not on all of them. But I am spoiled with the machine heads on the Suhr, so it could be a case of getting used to them.
I will replace the nut at some point, as this one is appalling - it’s badly cut and is actually overhanging. But it doesn’t affect anything so no rush.
The Roasted Maple is lovely!
Thanks - I quite like the colour. It would be my first choice, ordinarily, but it’s growing on me.