Tele - Ugly or Beautiful?

[wingsdad]

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.

[Tone2TheBone]

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]

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...twang/dbtintro

[Katastrophe]

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!:

[marnold***]

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.

[ZMAN]

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...58/se04958.php
And I know how much you guys all love the reilic thing.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics...c873/jc873.php

[just strum]

[QUOTE=ZMAN]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...58/se04958.php

Save the cash and call Uncle Ike.

And I know how much you guys all love the reilic thing.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics...c873/jc873.php

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

[Kazz]

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]

I think all of mine are Beautiful

Attachment 1551

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Best looking guitar ever.

[mrmudcat]

Tele's rule!!!!

[duhvoodooman***]

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! 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:

[thearabianmage]

AFAIC, you can pretty much burn that entire BC Rich product line! 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.

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

[Tig***]

Tele's rule!!!!

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

[thearabianmage]

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!

[Brian Krashpad]

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.



Sorry about the crappy pic.

[marnold***]

That's the thing I liked about my Model 7. It was a Tele AND a pointy at the same time!

[ted s]

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]

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.