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just strum
May 24th, 2008, 07:57 AM
Since there were enough comments about the looks of the Tele, I thought the topic deserved it's own thread. The title BUG stirred a little opinion, so I figure let's discuss our view.

Initially I didn't like the Tele, saw no attraction to it, not the looks or the sound. When started to find an interest in it, I still didn't think it was a pleasant looking guitar, but the more I read the threads and the more I saw pictures of it, my interest grew. CB went and bought hers and Wingsdad got that lovely G&L - the combination of the two took me over the top.

They have a beauty in it's simplicity and I think because of the simplicity they tend not to be eye catching unless you start to learn the history of guitars and where the Tele fits in.

If there is a study or was to be a study, I think you would find that the Tele style is ranks low as far as the style of someones first guitar. Chances are, althiugh there are a lot of Tele owners, the purchase was most likely at least the second guitar they purchased.

So, tell us what you think about Tele's (from any manufacturer) and if you have one, post a pic with your comments.

Not the best pic, but

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/Picture237-1.jpg

marnold
May 24th, 2008, 07:59 AM
It's probably neither. I like the Tele bridge sound and the middle sound, which are hard to reproduce on a Strat without some surgery. I don't mind the body look in general. My Charvel Model 7 (Tele-style) had a tummy cut which was very nice. When I play a Fender Tele I feel like I'm playing a big ol' plank o' wood.

just strum
May 24th, 2008, 08:09 AM
When I play a Fender Tele I feel like I'm playing a big ol' plank o' wood.

that was another one of my initial turn offs about the Tele. It needs to incorporated some of the Strat cuts, however I've grown use to the slab and I guess that's part of its character.

sunvalleylaw
May 24th, 2008, 09:05 AM
It is handsome in an eclectic way. Teles are not female to me. They strike me as a solid, not flashy, dependable friend.

Ro3b
May 24th, 2008, 09:38 AM
Is a hammer ugly or beautiful?

sunvalleylaw
May 24th, 2008, 10:01 AM
Plumb 21 oz. sandpaper faced hammer; beautiful. A hammer is an example of the human mind creating a tool that with skill, exponentially expands the capabilities of the human form. Learn to swing it right, and you can drive a deck or framing nail in one hit, and not damage the wood. Beautiful.

P.S. It usually takes me 2 to 4 hits. ;-)

Rabies
May 24th, 2008, 10:06 AM
Tele = beautiful IMO.

Someone mentioned above about Warlocks and Bichs...I think those are the most ridiculous looking things. That's just my opinion, of course...but WTF? Why, B.C. Rich, why?

Oh, wait...here's one: :rockon:

:D :rotflmao: :D

just strum
May 24th, 2008, 10:29 AM
Is a hammer ugly or beautiful?

That's a great way of looking at it. A hammer, is a hammer, but in the hands of someone that appreciates the tool and knows how different hammers provide different results, they can become a beautiful tool.

If my statement about Tele's seldom being the first guitar is accurate, that may be the reason. You have to develop an understanding of the use of tone or at least recognize the difference.

Ro3b, I hope you don't mind me using that in my sig.

Ro3b
May 24th, 2008, 10:39 AM
A hammer is an example of the human mind creating a tool that with skill, exponentially expands the capabilities of the human form.

See, there you go. Change "hammer" to "tele" and that's about all that needs to be said.

Strum, I'm honored. :D

aeolian
May 24th, 2008, 10:42 AM
I have a limited edition G&L which is tele-shaped but with strat type pickup arrangement including a toggle switch to combine neck and bridge, or even neck, middle, and bridge.

http://home.comcast.net/~kitn13/LE2.JPG

wingsdad
May 24th, 2008, 11:28 AM
Took you a while to come around, Strummy :poke: :)

"Beauty's Only Skin Deep (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)"
- The Temptations

"You can't judge a book by its cover."

I suppose one can either hate it or love it. Whatever floats one's boat.

Plank of wood, indeed.

When I ordered this ASAT Classic Bluesboy, I considered going for it as a solid body with back & front edge bindings or WITH an optional back body belly contour, like a Strat, to be less of slab, and thus with no back binding. But I ended up going for the chambered semi-hollow swamp ash body without an f-hole (to let the ash's grain show & go undisturbed, both for looks and for tonal quality) as much for lighter weight as for some acoustic resonance. Body contour and back binding is n/a on semi-hollows, although the body 'bindings' are actually just the top's wood left unstained along the edges.

I went for the 'Classic' string-thru-body integrated bridge & slanted pickup assembly with brass barrel saddles, because THAT was Leo's design concept that produces that undeniably Tele clean, biting, snappy metallic twang with a ringing sustain, the slanted pup gathering some bottom end picking up the low strings vibes away from the bridge. Unlike the original Fender set polepieces, the G&L Magnetic Field Design bridge pup has adjustable polepieces (Leo's innovation to improve on his original design).

I also opted for a glossed maple fretboard on a 7 1/2" radius to be true to the original Leo design to ease chording and multi-string bends (A 'true' Start has a flatter 12" radius, one reason why it works so well as a slide guitar), the slick surface easing sliding (slippery) chords and multi-step string bending, another factor in the 'Tele' sound, a guitar originally designed by George Fullerton & Leo (duh...G&L) to be a country-western lead guitar player's portable, standup answer to a steel guitar.

I went for the Bluesboy to get a G&L Alnico V humbucker at the neck -- fairly bright because of that grade of Alnico, not prone to muddiness, like the 'typical' Tele lipstick single coil neck pup, and not as 'warm & fuzzy' as the optional Duncan 55N Seth Lover. (BTW: until Leo sold to CBS, that neck pup has/had a preset bassy tone, non-variable. CBS starting screwing around with the circuitry things around 1967).

I was estimated it would take 14 weeks to build. It only took 5. All I hoped for was a Really Nice Piece Of Ash :whatever: and a well-done Cherryburst finish over it.

I got it. I don't think it's ugly. At all.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/wingsdad/ASAT%20Classic%20Bluesboy%20SH/5916c.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/wingsdad/ASAT%20Classic%20Bluesboy%20SH/IMG_5926.jpghttp://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/wingsdad/ASAT%20Classic%20Bluesboy%20SH/IMG_5927.jpg

just strum
May 24th, 2008, 12:48 PM
Wingsdad, a couple of you guys own some very nice Tele's and the G&L's can make converts out of the people that are not Tele fans (I for one have fallen victim). After playing a couple of Fender and admiring your latest G&L, I wouldn't be surprised if the day will come when I will purchase a higher end Tele.

The guitars I see posted here lead me to purchasing an inexpensive Tele. I like it and with a little more "tweaking" I think I will find myself playing it often.

tjcurtin1
May 24th, 2008, 01:21 PM
Au contraire, Strum! The Tele was the guitar I always desired from the time I was a kid - when, many years later, I bought my first electric, it was a Squire Tele. However, as I mentioned somewhere else, I couldn't make it 'sing' (probably because it was my first electric!) and I no longer have it :cry: But I still love the looks!

just strum
May 24th, 2008, 01:26 PM
Au contraire, Strum! The Tele was the guitar I always desired from the time I was a kid - when, many years later, I bought my first electric, it was a Squire Tele. However, as I mentioned somewhere else, I couldn't make it 'sing' (probably because it was my first electric!) and I no longer have it :cry: But I still love the looks!

Did you ever buy another one? I'm not saying no one buys a Tele as their first guitar, but I think they tend to be an acquired taste after some playing on other guitars. IMHO I think of them more as a specialty guitar that really isn't suited for all types of music. Again, just my opinion.

t_ross33
May 24th, 2008, 03:44 PM
However, as I mentioned somewhere else, I couldn't make it 'sing' (probably because it was my first electric!) and I no longer have it :cry: But I still love the looks!
I think Tele's are very unforgiving and a bit tougher to wrangle out the tones you hear in your head, or from masters like Brent Mason or even Marty Stuart or Vince Gill. That distinct "Tele Twang", in my experience, is all in the hands. (I'm not implying that I am anywhere CLOSE to mastering this beautiful little slab of wood - far from it. But, like everything else, it's a work in progress :))

It's tone can be biting to the point of "ice-pick" and doesn't immediately lend itself to smooth tones you get from an LP, or even a Strat.

Maybe that's why it's not a popular "first guitar" choice. That being said, I grew up on a steady diet of Buck and Don, Merle, Waylon etc. I think Tele's are beautiful to look at and beautiful to play or hear.

Here's mine:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/t_ross33/PIC_0178.jpg

KEEP ON TWANGIN AND BANGIN IN THE FREE WORLD :dude:

Trev

warren0728
May 24th, 2008, 04:07 PM
i love my tele...i think it's been said a tele is the hardest guitar to play....not physically but it so raw that it exposes your every mistake (and i make a lot of them!)

my tele gets equal playing time with my gibson lp special.

here's mine....a mim 2005 agave blue standard (click for larger pics)

ww

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_35477d4558df070.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=194) http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_35477d45597e13c.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=196) http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_35477d45593d642.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=195)

Tone E
May 24th, 2008, 05:46 PM
My 2 cents...

Teles are beautiful guitars. Like others have said: simplicity is the source of this beauty.
I have to say though, I dont like variations on the original design. Different pickup configurations, different bridges and rosewood fretboards all take something away it IMO.

Also, like I have said in the other thread, ugly for me is those disgusting, big, angular things like B.C. Rich, Washburn Dimebags, Gibson Explorers and the like.

tjcurtin1
May 24th, 2008, 06:04 PM
I think Tele's are very unforgiving and a bit tougher to wrangle out the tones you hear in your head, or from masters like Brent Mason or even Marty Stuart or Vince Gill. That distinct "Tele Twang", in my experience, is all in the hands.
Trev

You're absolutely right - two experienced guitar playing friends played my tele and immediately made it sound ways I couldn't get it to... and I could tell it was 'in the hands' - very frustrating, but at least it proved it wasn't the guitar. One of those buddies ended up taking it off my hands... Maybe someday I'll try again.

As for ugly - that term doesn't fit the classic look of the telecaster. I agree with Tone E about the guitars I'd class as UGLY -

player
May 24th, 2008, 06:21 PM
younger brother plays a MIA tele and loves it.although he is straight up country whereas I am at the other end of the spectrum with embedded Rock roots.I tried to teach him rock style guitar but hey he plays.seems more comfy with acoustic and country or bluegrass but that's cool he makes music nevertheless http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p9/market_03/th_dunno.gif

just strum
May 24th, 2008, 07:05 PM
Also, like I have said in the other thread, ugly for me is those disgusting, big, angular things like B.C. Rich, Washburn Dimebags, Gibson Explorers and the like.


I agree with Tone E about the guitars I'd class as UGLY -

I have to agree with that. I know there a lot of people that like them, but I'm a more traditional style.

I guess the hammer theory would apply to those too.;)

Tone2TheBone
May 24th, 2008, 07:57 PM
My only beef is the flat top. I wish they had a curved top like Strats. Curved back too. Hell more curves why don't you!

They sound damn good though so my Tele's a keeper.

Childbride
May 24th, 2008, 08:34 PM
you'll pry my tele from my cold, dead hands. :D :D :D

marnold
May 24th, 2008, 09:32 PM
Oh, I should mention the thing that I really don't like about Teles is the covered neck pickup. Blech. Thankfully my Model 7 didn't have one and the pup I was going to put in it wouldn't have had one either.

I know that having that opinion is grounds for homicide on the TDPRI.

markb
May 24th, 2008, 09:58 PM
you'll pry my tele from my cold, dead hands. :D :D :D

+1

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/478748940_6cdfa1f6b7.jpg

wingsdad
May 24th, 2008, 09:59 PM
My only beef is the flat top. I wish they had a curved top ..{EDIT}... Curved back too. Hell more curves why don't you!

That's what early Tele players said, so they created the Strat. And added a 2nd cutaway, a 3rd pickup, more tone control and the misnomered but effectively revolutionary 'tremolo' integrated with bridge system.

ZMAN
May 25th, 2008, 06:02 AM
Now this is a tele. I have tried to love them but the only one that felt good was this one, but at that price...ahhh no.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/avts/52tele/se04958/se04958.php
And I know how much you guys all love the reilic thing.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/custom_artist/jc873/jc873.php

just strum
May 25th, 2008, 06:33 AM
Now this is a tele. I have tried to love them but the only one that felt good was this one, but at that price...ahhh no.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/avts/52tele/se04958/se04958.php

Save the cash and call Uncle Ike.


[QUOTE=ZMAN]
And I know how much you guys all love the reilic thing.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/custom_artist/jc873/jc873.php

At $10,500, it's a steal!!!:D

Kazz
May 25th, 2008, 07:04 AM
Tele's are as much of a tool as a hammer....I have seen some like the one in Aolian's post that are raw wood grain with a clear coat that are beautiful....but most of the standard finishes are just plain.....but the twang that comes out is the real deal man.....if you want country or country blues that is the only axe to rock.....

Brad Paisley is the only artist that comes to mind that uses custom finished tele's and they are visually stunning.....and his playing style...and whatever is in his signal chain makes his tone very unique and about as impressive as it gets in country music....Brad is probably my favorite country guitar player.


ETA:

Brad's signature tone is as distinct as Zakk Wylde's albeit a completely different genre

Dauntless
May 25th, 2008, 07:22 AM
I think all of mine are Beautiful

1551

R.B. Huckleberry
May 27th, 2008, 06:38 AM
Best looking guitar ever.

mrmudcat
May 27th, 2008, 08:20 AM
Tele's rule!!!!



http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5004/picture194jl1.jpg

duhvoodooman
May 27th, 2008, 09:27 AM
The point has been made repeatedly about the beauty of the Tele being in it's simplicity, and I agree wholeheartedly. And I'm also onboard with the opinion about "pointy" guitars being the ugly ones. AFAIC, you can pretty much burn that entire BC Rich product line! :puke: Yeah, I'm a traditionalist!

Tele's are virtually instantly recognizable in look and tone, definitely one of the true all-time classics. While a Tele wasn't first or second on my personal "must have" list (that was a Strat and an LP, respectively), it was still w-a-a-a-y-y up there (4th). Here's mine, a Nashville 3-pickup model that I modified with a white MOTO pickguard, and also installed a compensated brass 3-saddle bridge:

http://duhvoodooman.com/miscimages/musical/NT_full_vs.jpg http://duhvoodooman.com/miscimages/musical/NT_body_vs.jpg

thearabianmage
May 27th, 2008, 09:29 AM
Right, I haven't read all the comments anyone has posted, so sorry if the topic has changed in the last two pages, but I am not so keen on Teles, either - but strum's point about it growing on you is true.

I've never really liked the look or feel of Teles, but their sound is unarguable. As with Strats. If you want that kind of sound, these guitars are your best bet.

Saying that - strum, I quite like the Tele you have. It's a bit sleeker and I like the cutaway a lot more than traditional Teles.

Anyways, Super Strats FTW!

thearabianmage
May 27th, 2008, 09:32 AM
AFAIC, you can pretty much burn that entire BC Rich product line! :puke: Yeah, I'm a traditionalist!


But my Bessie is sooo beautiful - and at the end of the day, because of her points, she is just as recognizable. Plus, there is common misconception with BC Richs, especially Warlocks - their shape is deliberate, in my opinion, for a simple reason - freedom of playing. When sitting, you can just as easily play in the classical position as you can the right-thigh position. Brilliant. The classical position is much better for your back and playing in general, as well.

But, it is all personal taste, at the end of the day.

:rockon: <---is a Beast, but as close to Bessie as I'll get with a smilie. . . :D

just strum
May 27th, 2008, 10:18 AM
DVM, I'm like you and go for the traditional guitars, no sharp points that take out an eye or section from the groin area:eek:

I have a question for a couple of you who own the real thing (Fender or G&L) and one of the Peavey's. Side by side how do they compare? I've played a Tele in a store, but not enough to have a lasting impression of what it was like.

I'm just trying to get an idea of how far the two are apart. I'm only interested in sound/tone.

Brian Krashpad
May 27th, 2008, 11:06 AM
I like Teles. To many people's way of thinking, they are not beautiful, but I don't like flash guitars with all sorts of figured wood or flame or quilt or abalone anyhow, so they are a good match for me.

I have 3 Teles. I like how they look.

https://gnn.ufalumni.ufl.edu/visuals/florida/albums/3372/015_15.JPG

Sorry about the crappy pic.

Brian Krashpad
May 27th, 2008, 11:12 AM
DVM, I'm like you and go for the traditional guitars, no sharp points that take out an eye or section from the groin area:eek:

I have a question for a couple of you who own the real thing (Fender or G&L) and one of the Peavey's. Side by side how do they compare? I've played a Tele in a store, but not enough to have a lasting impression of what it was like.

I'm just trying to get an idea of how far the two are apart. I'm only interested in sound/tone.

I've owned Fender Teles and Strats. Haven't played a Peavey Tele but I do own a Peavey Strat (Predator) and other than a slightly diferent neck profile and a 22nd fret, it's virtually indistinguishable from the MIM Fender Strat I used to have.

I dunno about the Peavey you have, but the older (90's) Peavey USA Reactor (the sister-model to my Predator Strat) Tele-clone is reportedly very similar and arguably the equal of MIM Tele's, from what I've heard from online friends who own Reactors.

marnold
May 27th, 2008, 11:44 AM
That's the thing I liked about my Model 7. It was a Tele AND a pointy at the same time!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/semprini/ReW6-PCQlgI/AAAAAAAAADM/GoejzKpqfB0/s400/img_1320.jpg

ted s
May 27th, 2008, 12:01 PM
Hey Vood, how come you got away from the original 6 saddle bridge ?
Pros/cons ?
I've always thought I would leave my Nash bone stock but I could be persuaded.

thanks

Ted

just strum
May 27th, 2008, 04:40 PM
DVM, I was curious about that too. I have the three saddle set up and I was thinking that setting intonation would be difficult since two strings occupy one saddle.

This being new to me, I was curious if I was missing something.

marnold
May 27th, 2008, 05:55 PM
Hit the TDPRI forums and search for three compensated saddle. You will find more information than you ever cared to know. Many will claim that it can't be a Tele without it. I'm not smart enough to know the difference, but then again my favorite bridges are made by a guy named Floyd.

just strum
May 27th, 2008, 07:00 PM
Hit the TDPRI forums and search for three compensated saddle. You will find more information than you ever cared to know. Many will claim that it can't be a Tele without it. I'm not smart enough to know the difference, but then again my favorite bridges are made by a guy named Floyd.

Thanks. You guys throw stuff out like TDPRI and other terms and/or places and I am clueless. However, I Googled and found it.

marnold
May 27th, 2008, 07:11 PM
Thanks. You guys throw stuff out like TDPRI and other terms and/or places and I am clueless. However, I Googled and found it.
Good call. Sorry. For future visitors to this thread, this is the TDPRI (http://www.tdpri.com/).

just strum
May 27th, 2008, 07:29 PM
Good call. Sorry. For future visitors to this thread, this is the TDPRI (http://www.tdpri.com/).

No need to be sorry, but if you haven't heard I've been living in a cave the last few years. I get on here and people talk about product and use terminology I never heard of, but that's why I'm here - to learn and be motivated. Oh, and have fun.:AOK:

mrmudcat
May 27th, 2008, 07:49 PM
Only 3 barrels for me,but im OG like that;)

just strum
May 27th, 2008, 08:00 PM
Only 3 barrels for me,but im OG like that;)

see someone did it again, gotta go Google.

Brian Krashpad
May 27th, 2008, 08:01 PM
Good call. Sorry. For future visitors to this thread, this is the TDPRI (http://www.tdpri.com/).

Believe it or not, you can also get there via: http://www.telecaster.com

It's such a better URL, I can't understand why they don't use it.

duhvoodooman
May 28th, 2008, 10:33 AM
Hey Vood, how come you got away from the original 6 saddle bridge ?
Pros/cons ?
I've always thought I would leave my Nash bone stock but I could be persuaded.

thanks

Ted

DVM, I was curious about that too. I have the three saddle set up and I was thinking that setting intonation would be difficult since two strings occupy one saddle.

This being new to me, I was curious if I was missing something.

Just a matter of personal preference, really. I always liked that classic & distinctive Tele 3-saddle bridge look, and the brass saddles do give a slightly rounder tone to take a little harshness off the edge of the Tele twang, esp. on the bridge p'up. I went with compensated saddles specifically because of the potential intonation issue, and they seem to address it pretty well; not quite dead-solid-perfect intonation by tuner measurement, but certainly close enough by ear for my modest needs and the type of music I play. Heck, if it was good enough for titans like Roy Buchanan, James Burton, Albert Collins, Danny Gatton and countless others, it's good enough for the likes of me!

Bloozcat
May 28th, 2008, 02:23 PM
Ugly...?

Beautiful...?

Hang one around your neck, plug it into a good tube amp...

...and let your ears decide...:AOK:

mechanic
May 28th, 2008, 04:59 PM
I never really liked or hated them.
Whenever I saw someone else playing one it was "oh, so and so plays a tele"
and I never gave it much more thought.
Then I played one myself and I'm hooked!
My cheapest guitar is now my "go to" that I find myself playing all the time.
I can't explain it, it just IS.
Eric

ted s
May 28th, 2008, 07:07 PM
Before I got my Tele I was convinced I was going to get a Strat. I went in one day and A-B'd a bunch with no wow factor, then I tried my Tele.. Like Eric said, it just is.

just strum
May 29th, 2008, 06:34 PM
Just so the newcomers know, the butt-ugly comment wasn't done in a serious manner. Those that found the guitar unappealing and weren't drawn in commented about it being unattractive. Eventually it was commented that they are butt-ugly, but the desire to get one grows on you.

Now as for the Tele body style, I am surprised how comfortable it feels. I thought it would feel uncomfortable or awkward when compared to my other guitars, especially the Strat. I still feel it's a fun guitar and I grow comfortable in using the sound to it's fullest I see no reason to feel positive about it. Someday I may feel so positive I'll splurge on a G&L, but that's a long ways off.

ZMAN
May 30th, 2008, 06:15 AM
This is the closest I have come to a tele. It was the Fender Tele FMT HH in Black Cherryburst. It was a sweet looking guitar Set neck with a 15 inch radius, medium jumbo frets, and two hbs with a push pull pot for single coil or hb modes. It was very light and very thin and was almost toylike. I eventually traded up to a 50 Anniversary Deluxe Strat. It was a very pretty color though.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/Telefmthh-1.jpg

Tone2TheBone
May 30th, 2008, 09:01 AM
That's what early Tele players said, so they created the Strat. And added a 2nd cutaway, a 3rd pickup, more tone control and the misnomered but effectively revolutionary 'tremolo' integrated with bridge system.

That must be why I love Strats so much. Only thing is that you don't get the same sounds out of a traditional Strat as you do on a Tele with the 2 pup combo, vintage bridge and string through back design on an ash body. Well you could but you'd have to modify a hardtail ash Strat I suppose.

just strum
May 31st, 2008, 07:34 PM
Have you ever purchased a car and then suddenly you seem to notice that make and model everywhere.

Same is happening with the Tele. I hear more people talk about them, meeting more people that own them or hope to someday. The other day I received my copy of Guitar Player and read an article about stomp boxes. Today I was sitting at the kitchen table and grab something to eat. I grab that same mag and notice on the cover "Twang Seminar - Learn Some Burnin' Hot Tele Licks" Short history about the guitar and then lessons from various artists.

Here's a little something from the website.

http://truefiretv.com/index.html?req=1&station=bigtwang&video=bigtwang/dbtintro

Katastrophe
May 31st, 2008, 07:41 PM
Teles - I love 'em. Funny thing is, I didn't appreciate how cool they were until a few years ago. Up until that point, it was all pointy guitars and tons of distortion all the time.

I guess I've matured a bit as a player. There's something about the design and the inherent "Tele-tone" that speaks to me. I also have fun playing Teles every time I pick one up.

Now if I could make one speak like Danny Gatton that would be something!:AOK:

just strum
May 31st, 2008, 07:44 PM
Now if I could make one speak like Danny Gatton that would be something!:AOK:

Here's a start

http://guitarplayer.com/article/10-things-you/Oct-07/31617

R.B. Huckleberry
August 8th, 2009, 08:52 AM
I own PRS, Hamer, Martin, Reverend, G&L and Fender guitars.


Hands down, the one that looks the best to me is the Telecaster. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

bigG
August 8th, 2009, 11:27 AM
I don't think it's the best looking guitar in the world, by far. But it's unique and gets the job done. That sound only a Tele can make. Just ask Springsteen, or the GREAT James Burton, or any number of today's artists who have found a new voice for the Tele in all types of music.

It's really an open-ended question. Ugly or beautiful physically or tonally? It certainly is the most basic of electric guitars - a slab of wood, a big thick slab of wood U-shaped neck, strings, vol, tone and 3-way blade switch. Maybe its beauty lies in one of my favorite phrases: "elegant understatement".

It's all subjective, in the end. I could do w/o one if I had to. I have one (MIM - chrome red), and, if I had to let it go, it wouldn't kill me. I rarely play it.

Martinguy
September 24th, 2009, 10:45 AM
I love the look of the Tele. I think it looks awesome. MUCH better looking then a Stratocaster.

Let me cut to the chase here. :D I have only had one Strat in 30 years of playing and I got rid of of it because the looks of it bugged me. I personally think Strats are ugly. I may be the only player who feels that way, but thats just me.

They are comfortable, play great and sound great...but I cant get past the looks. Looks wise they have always seemed to come across to me as *Space age* or *ultra modern*, and if there is any style that bugs me its those two.

I am more of a *conservative* or *retro* type of guy regarding style.

Currently I play a Les Paul, a 335, and a Tele.

tot_Ou_tard
September 28th, 2009, 05:23 AM
I originally thought that Teles were Butt Ugly.

They've got a limp-wristed cutaway and an idiotic cut-in-half no-style pickguard...

But now I am caught by their iconic appeal. Spending time with guitars and guitar related talk will do that to you.

I want one. ;)

sunvalleylaw
September 28th, 2009, 10:33 AM
I think they look fine, and in the right hands, sound great. But after shopping for them, I found that they don't feel comfortable to me, and I have a hard time dialing in the sound that I hear others get. I guess part of that is because I am so used to my favorite strat pup positions, and teles are clearly different creatures.

Kazz
September 28th, 2009, 12:09 PM
The alien with his singing organ in his butt said "limp wristed" now that is funny.

MAXIFUNK
September 28th, 2009, 12:58 PM
This is the closest I have come to a tele. It was the Fender Tele FMT HH in Black Cherryburst. It was a sweet looking guitar Set neck with a 15 inch radius, medium jumbo frets, and two hbs with a push pull pot for single coil or hb modes. It was very light and very thin and was almost toylike. I eventually traded up to a 50 Anniversary Deluxe Strat. It was a very pretty color though.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/Stewz/Telefmthh-1.jpg


Hey Zman toy like in what way?

mjk123
September 28th, 2009, 01:51 PM
I hated Tele's but after looking at them and hearing how they can sound, I am game for them. I will say that they are a thing of beauty...

ZMAN
September 28th, 2009, 03:46 PM
Maxi: It was very thin in the body and the neck was one of the thinest I have played. I am a big fan of slim taper but this was really thin. The neck had a set of huge jumbo frets and a 15 degree radius. It was a set neck unlike most Telecasters and just didn't seem substantial enough. I had a set of open coil humbuckers and a push pull tone control that let you get single coil or hummbuckers. It was very light and didn't have a lot of resonance. Of course mine was made in Korea by Cort.
I guess I am just not a tele type of guy.

Kazz
September 28th, 2009, 03:47 PM
Zman...that is one pretty tele there.

ragnarpk
September 28th, 2009, 04:31 PM
it all depends on the finish.... i like sunburst teles, or those awesome rosewood ones, that are just natural looking.. but i would never buy just a black telecaster, for instance. meh.

pes_laul
September 28th, 2009, 05:13 PM
I used to think they were lame...Until I played the 72' original (which is actually signed into the dudes will for me to get) Now I love and appreciate the guitars sound and looks.:dude:

Kodiak3D
September 28th, 2009, 06:09 PM
I'm not a big fan of their appearance, but I'll say anything bad about their sound.

street music
September 28th, 2009, 06:14 PM
I'm not a big fan of their appearance, but I'll say anything bad about their sound.
TRY THAT AGAIN THERE KODIAK????

just strum
September 28th, 2009, 06:43 PM
I love the look of the Tele. I think it looks awesome. MUCH better looking then a Stratocaster....



I am more of a *conservative* or *retro* type of guy regarding style.

Currently I play a Les Paul, a 335, and a Tele.

I started this thread over a year ago and I have to say that my feeling have run hot and cold when it comes to the Tele. I don't find it visually appealing and its sound is only enjoyable when in the hands of someone other than me.

I too am conservative and find the Strat such a mainstay in rock and blues that I consider it a conservative guitar. I guess I look at the LP the same way you look at the Strat. For some reason the guitar has never appealed to me.

We do have common ground however - the 335. Although I don't own one, I feel there is no better guitar (I think I may have mentioned that before).

MAXIFUNK
September 29th, 2009, 01:48 AM
Maxi: It was very thin in the body and the neck was one of the thinest I have played. I am a big fan of slim taper but this was really thin. The neck had a set of huge jumbo frets and a 15 degree radius. It was a set neck unlike most Telecasters and just didn't seem substantial enough. I had a set of open coil humbuckers and a push pull tone control that let you get single coil or hummbuckers. It was very light and didn't have a lot of resonance. Of course mine was made in Korea by Cort.
I guess I am just not a tele type of guy.


Zman thanks for the answer because i have that same axe in amber and then neck is way to flat for me as well. I was just looking for a response from some more seasoned than I as a guitar player.

I think as much as I hate to do it I am going to sell it for a blackout Tele or Michael Kelly patriot Honestly I am leaning more towards the MK honestly since I already have 2 strats and replacing a HH style axe for another HH style axe makes the most since to me.

But thanks for answering.

Maxi................. :beer:

ZMAN
September 29th, 2009, 07:54 AM
Yea Maxi: I think the combination of the Jumbo frets and the flat neck really made it uncomfortable for me. I really didn't pay much attention back then about radius, and frets. There were several plusses with this guitar though.
I liked the humbuckers, and the push pull switch. Up to that point I had only purchased Korean or MIM guitars from Fender. I wanted to start buying more MIA Strats and Gibbies. I get a really good trade-in value for my guitars from the shop I deal with and he had an NOS Deluxe 50th Anniversary Strat still unopened in 2006, so I jumped on it.
I have tried to find a Tele that I liked. I want the Vintage 52 colors, with the 6 saddle bridge, 9.5 rdius neck and vintage pickups, I prefer a MIA. I don't want the SCNs or the vintage tele bridge. You would think they would make this guitar. Maybe they do now but I am not really looking. I know the 52 comes with a standard bridge and electronics kit. But I really don't like the 7.5 radius. Other than that it is the only one I have felt good playing.

Brian Krashpad
September 29th, 2009, 01:46 PM
it all depends on the finish.... i like sunburst teles, or those awesome rosewood ones, that are just natural looking.. but i would never buy just a black telecaster, for instance. meh.

Different strokes. ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/BrianKrashpad/violet.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/BrianKrashpad/RM04SiloBK.jpg

Then again, I can make anything look good.

Kodiak3D
September 29th, 2009, 05:59 PM
TRY THAT AGAIN THERE KODIAK????

Woops, I appear to have left out a word...I meant I'll NEVER say anything bad about their sound. :thwap:

Teles sound great. Too many great tele players out there to name that have changed music forever (Keith Richards comes to mind) to say anything bad about teles.

As for their looks, however, I don't find them ugly or anything, just kinda bland. They don't reach out and grab me. Then again, I used to not care for the SG look but my opinion on that has changed as of late. Probably will for teles someday too.

Brian Krashpad
September 29th, 2009, 06:19 PM
As for their looks, however, I don't find them ugly or anything, just kinda bland. They don't reach out and grab me. Then again, I used to not care for the SG look but my opinion on that has changed as of late. Probably will for teles someday too.

Fwiw, I think this is pretty common for Teles. I didn't get my first Tele until I'd been playing in bands for over 15 years, and was a couple years past 35!

I currently have 3 Teles. I can't say that of any other guitar.

syo
September 29th, 2009, 07:28 PM
Borderline ugly and uninspiringly plain. It's also my favorite guitar. When I went to buy my second guitar 20 years ago I had enough cash for a "pretty" Rickenbacker. When it came to playing, I hated the Rick, played the LP models, Strat etc. Finally picked up the Tele as there was nothing left. It was beautiful after all (to play anyway)!

A Tele is the real deal. Unpretentious (at least it was when I paid $450 for a new Am Std), nothing superfluous. Just a plain, great guitar.

mrmudcat
September 29th, 2009, 10:37 PM
I agree I love my 2 teles...........here is koa in her new home(ugly and plain I dont think so:D ) taken yesterday..its hard being a "pimp"..I am getting ready to purge I think:poke: ..... a few guits maybe..not her fo-sho....so im taken updated pics for inventory :whatever:


http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6020/imgp0230wp.jpg

syo
September 30th, 2009, 12:23 AM
ok mudcat, I see your point. Yours at least is neither ugly or plain. Very nice, dare I say even "pretty"...

Kazz
September 30th, 2009, 04:28 AM
I agree I love my 2 teles...........here is koa in her new home(ugly and plain I dont think so:D ) taken yesterday..its hard being a "pimp"..I am getting ready to purge I think:poke: ..... a few guits maybe..not her fo-sho....so im taken updated pics for inventory :whatever:


http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6020/imgp0230wp.jpg

Lookout......Muddy is fixing to go wife shopping :-)

mrmudcat
September 30th, 2009, 04:38 AM
ok mudcat, I see your point. Yours at least is neither ugly or plain. Very nice, dare I say even "pretty"...


No worries brother........I think Krashes black tele is "pretty" and has a Clash thing going on,beautiful is in the eye of the beholder:beer:

tot_Ou_tard
September 30th, 2009, 05:27 AM
ok mudcat, I see your point. Yours at least is neither ugly or plain. Very nice, dare I say even "pretty"...
Yes, the wood is pretty, but it still has that silly pickguard & cutaway.

I want it.

MAXIFUNK
September 30th, 2009, 02:55 PM
I agree I love my 2 teles...........here is koa in her new home(ugly and plain I dont think so:D ) taken yesterday..its hard being a "pimp"..I am getting ready to purge I think:poke: ..... a few guits maybe..not her fo-sho....so im taken updated pics for inventory :whatever:


http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6020/imgp0230wp.jpg
nice axe

Blaze
September 30th, 2009, 04:16 PM
Here s my new lookin Tele ...

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/10/31/1555652/T%C3%89L%C3%89%20QUASI%20004A.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/36834a89de1df0764.jpg




Mr. Telecaster


mYK13NPAvks&feature

Brian Krashpad
September 30th, 2009, 04:35 PM
Here s my new lookin Tele ...

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/10/31/1555652/T%C3%89L%C3%89%20QUASI%20004A.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/36834a89de1df0764.jpg


Oh yum!

Desert sand?

tot_Ou_tard
October 1st, 2009, 05:47 AM
Oh yum!

Desert sand?
Yes, very nice. Me Likey.

Did I mention the goofy headstock? ;)

sunvalleylaw
October 1st, 2009, 07:51 AM
I watched last night "Wings to Wheels", the making of Born to Run, and it made me want a tele again. Some great footage of the process of making that album, and a lot of Bruce working things out on a piano, and his tele, which he says has a broadcaster neck.

ZMAN
October 1st, 2009, 08:00 AM
In reading the book the Stratocaster Chronicles, it talks about Leo Fender and his frist guitar the Broadcaster. Leo of course was an Engineer and not a musician. He could NOT play guitar. The Statocaster was in Leo's words the evolution of the Telecaster. What a lot of people don't realize was that the Tele/Broadcaster was a more mass production oriented than the orginal custom guitars produced by Paul Bigsby. Leo acquired one of Bigsby's guitars before he engineered the Broadcaster.
Here are some quotes about the Broadcaster/Tele.

"I took the first guitar to the 1950 music trade show, and it was, "What's that thing?" We got all kinds of comments. "Do you paddle your canoe with that thing? Swat flies?" They all laughed." -Don Randall (head of marketing)

"When Leo's guitar came out we weren't too surprised, because we were familiar with the Custom solidbodies Paul Bigsby built. We discovered that out in California there were solidbody guitars and they were beginning to get a little section of the business away from us, so we decided that we had to do something to compete with what Leo Fender was doing. We had to buck this competition from the West Coast." -fomer Gibson president Ted McCarty, on the origin of the Les Paul.

"That thing 'll never sell." -Fred Gretsch to Harmony's Jay Krause, upon seeing the Broadcaster for the first time.

It was funny because Leo thought that the Strat would make the Tele obsolete.
I just thought I would add this. All of it comes from the book The Stratocaster Chronicles by Tom Wheeler. A great read.
Also some intersting reading. Make sure you note the time line.
http://www.bigsbyguitars.com/vibe/?page_id=3
This one as well. Check out the 1947 Bigsby guitar.
http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000103.html

sunvalleylaw
October 1st, 2009, 10:28 AM
I watched last night "Wings to Wheels", the making of Born to Run, and it made me want a tele again. Some great footage of the process of making that album, and a lot of Bruce working things out on a piano, and his tele, which he says has a broadcaster neck.

Watching that vid made me want one, and listening to the second side of Abbey Road again yesterday. :master: :AOK: :AOK: I love the feel of my strat, and do not know how to work teles yet, but there are some awesome tones available from them.

Blaze
October 1st, 2009, 10:44 AM
Watching that vid made me want one, and listening to the second side of Abbey Road again yesterday. :master: :AOK: :AOK: I love the feel of my strat, and do not know how to work teles yet, but there are some awesome tones available from them.


Hey Sun,

Here s a little something i ve made with my new lookin tele on a Guitar Center King of the Blues B.T. few months ago..
Hope it will make you want one ,Tele does have awesone tones..

A Road To You (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=896617&content=songinfo&songID=7722741)

markb
October 1st, 2009, 02:55 PM
Watching that vid made me want one, and listening to the second side of Abbey Road again yesterday. :master: :AOK: :AOK: I love the feel of my strat, and do not know how to work teles yet, but there are some awesome tones available from them.

The tone control is your friend. Who needs humbuckers ;)

@nthony
October 14th, 2009, 03:32 AM
My main guitar is a tele. It is a simple MIM Standard, in Desert Sand. I love it.

The tele is such a beautiful guitar, simple, elegant, and unpretentious. While being heavy enough and sharp enough (treble wise) to let you know she is around.

The one thing I don't like (and maybe this is my string choice or just my poor playing) is that the bass E 6th string can sometimes choke out upwards and over the neck radius.

Mike S.
October 16th, 2009, 05:29 AM
Great looking, sounding, playing guitar design, with an ugly (to me) head stock shape. Fortunately I don't choose an instrument primarily on looks.

player
October 16th, 2009, 10:04 PM
younger brother recently acquired a Black one with white guard.she sure is pretty,can't beat the action on it either. :AOK

P.J.
October 29th, 2009, 03:12 AM
Since there were enough comments about the looks of the Tele, I thought the topic deserved it's own thread. The title BUG stirred a little opinion, so I figure let's discuss our view.

Initially I didn't like the Tele, saw no attraction to it, not the looks or the sound. When started to find an interest in it, I still didn't think it was a pleasant looking guitar, but the more I read the threads and the more I saw pictures of it, my interest grew. CB went and bought hers and Wingsdad got that lovely G&L - the combination of the two took me over the top.

They have a beauty in it's simplicity and I think because of the simplicity they tend not to be eye catching unless you start to learn the history of guitars and where the Tele fits in.

If there is a study or was to be a study, I think you would find that the Tele style is ranks low as far as the style of someones first guitar. Chances are, althiugh there are a lot of Tele owners, the purchase was most likely at least the second guitar they purchased.

So, tell us what you think about Tele's (from any manufacturer) and if you have one, post a pic with your comments.

Not the best pic, but

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/Picture237-1.jpg

I think Teles are very cool looking but I have 2 Parker Niteflys so what do I know about good looks?!

=-) PJ

jamiej
June 11th, 2010, 12:55 PM
I love the way the Telecaster looks, ever since I saw Pete Townshend play it live in NYC at the Murry the K Show, when the Who first came to the USA. When he started hitting the big amp behind him with his white Tele at the end of "My Generation" I knew that was the guitar for me!

gregsguitars
June 11th, 2010, 02:02 PM
Not technically a Tele, it' a 51 Nocaster . sorry....

Zip
June 12th, 2010, 11:01 AM
Yes, you should be sorry. A '51? That guitar's too old. Please send it to me for proper disposal.
:dude :rockya

drunkinminer
June 14th, 2010, 11:35 PM
For me when I was younger I thought the Tele was a crap guitar and the Esquire was just cheap. I mean one pick up WTF is that all about. Fast foward 15-20 years. I bought two Teles both MIM Standards (Artic White and Chrome Red) and converted the red one into a Esquire to see what they were all about. I look back with regret now that I ever had those feelings. I sold the white Tele and kept the red Esquire. I lightly reliced the body and for a first timer and it being a poly body it looks fine to me. For me while the Tele is no slouch the Esquire is the best damn guitar ever made. The reason I like the Esquire so much I can concentrate more on playing then flipping the selector switch trying to get the sound I want the Esquire already does that for me.

So to answer your question "If a tele is ugly or beautiful?" The Tele is beautiful but the Esquire is "Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Mike S.
June 15th, 2010, 11:56 PM
At the end of the day, I think that the Tele is the best design of all time as far as solid body electrics go. Leo's first was the best IMO.

It's the model that I would choose if I could have only ONE guitar and no other, so that should tell you what I think of it's beauty.

Wonderfully simple, yet immensely effective. What more can you ask for?

gitch
June 16th, 2010, 03:21 AM
I like them, one day I will own a Fender Tele.
Here is my tele

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z73/scruff_58/SquierTelecasterstandard.jpg

markb
June 16th, 2010, 03:56 AM
I like them, one day I will own a Fender Tele.
Here is my tele

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z73/scruff_58/SquierTelecasterstandard.jpg

Gitch, I gigged a Squier JV strat all over the UK from 1982-90 and (allowing for nostalgia) I still think it's the best strat I've ever owned (out of about a dozen since). They can take it with a bit of occasional work from a pro. Nice guitar :thumbsup

deeaa
June 16th, 2010, 04:34 AM
Teles...rather ugly. Not quite as ugly as strats, though, possibly.

drunkinminer
June 16th, 2010, 10:18 AM
Gitch, I gigged a Squier JV strat all over the UK from 1982-90 and (allowing for nostalgia) I still think it's the best strat I've ever owned (out of about a dozen since). They can take it with a bit of occasional work from a pro. Nice guitar :thumbsup

Little known fact jeff healey played a Squier Strat. That's gotta amount to something.

Tig
June 16th, 2010, 10:47 AM
it all depends on the finish.... i like sunburst teles, or those awesome rosewood ones, that are just natural looking.. but i would never buy just a black telecaster, for instance. meh.

I also love sunbursts, etc., but sometimes you can't pass up a good deal, regardless of color. Black guitars keep falling in my lap!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4540240155_10322bbd8b_o.jpg

DeanEVO_Dude
June 16th, 2010, 09:35 PM
My very first guitar, way, way back, was a Tele Thinline ('68) copy, sunburst with a maple fingerboard... <sigh> I miss having one :(

Saved up a lot of money for that one! Musta been around $50 or so back in '80 or '81 (alot for a young teen to save up for back then)! It was probably a POS! Right? LOL

Cheers!

otaypanky
June 16th, 2010, 09:47 PM
My first was a sunburst American Fender, 'sold it, and now I have a Ron Kirn tele. Sweet ~

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w49/otaypanky/DSCF0006_3_2-2.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w49/otaypanky/DSCF0002-16.jpg

Kazz
June 17th, 2010, 04:46 AM
I am quite envious over that Ron Kirn tele....he is the man.

Miami-Ace
July 1st, 2010, 02:58 PM
:happy :happy Hey, I think Teles can look quite fine. Here's a shot of my Blackout Deluxe Telecaster, alongside another pretty Fender product, an FSR Ash Strat. They each have their beauty. BTW, the Tele is my main player. Simply more versatile. Also, it stays in tune like a rockin' rock.http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_115514c2d14aaa032d.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1671)

Tig
July 1st, 2010, 03:16 PM
:happy :happy Hey, I think Teles can look quite fine. Here's a shot of my Blackout Deluxe Telecaster, alongside another pretty Fender product, an FSR Ash Strat. They each have their beauty. BTW, the Tele is my main player. Simply more versatile. Also, it stays in tune like a rockin' rock.[/URL]

Very nice Tele & Strat, Miami-Ace! Welcome to The Fret.

Be sure to introduce yourself over in [URL="http://www.thefret.net/forumdisplay.php?f=13"]The Fret Players (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1667) section.

Brian Krashpad
July 1st, 2010, 03:45 PM
Very nice Tele & Strat, Miami-Ace! Welcome to The Fret.

Be sure to introduce yourself over in The Fret Players (http://www.thefret.net/forumdisplay.php?f=13) section.

+1 to both of those!

Tig
February 3rd, 2011, 06:57 PM
Tele's rule!!!!

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5004/picture194jl1.jpg

Muddy, is that a koa Korean Tele on the right?
Regardless, it's a beauty! How's it sound?

sunvalleylaw
February 3rd, 2011, 11:11 PM
Beauty, eh?

mmannaxx
September 18th, 2011, 02:50 PM
My first electric 6 string guitar was a 1981 black and gold Telecaster, a special model. I have always loved the looks of Teles, not to mention the sound which is so versatile in my opinion. Use it for rock, country, blues, jazz. It does them all. Esthetically, I love the look of the Tele such as the small headstock and the simple slab design with the graceful cutaway. No sharp points on this guitar.I have other guitars and like some of them very much but my still favorite is the Tele.