Tele - Ugly or Beautiful?

[P.J.]

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

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

=-) PJ

[jamiej]

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]

Not technically a Tele, it' a 51 Nocaster . sorry....

[Zip]

Yes, you should be sorry. A '51? That guitar's too old. Please send it to me for proper disposal.

[drunkinminer]

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.]

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]

I like them, one day I will own a Fender Tele.
Here is my tele

[markb]

I like them, one day I will own a Fender Tele.
Here is my tele

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

[deeaa*]

Teles...rather ugly. Not quite as ugly as strats, though, possibly.

[drunkinminer]

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

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

[Tig***]

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!

[DeanEVO_Dude]

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***]

My first was a sunburst American Fender, 'sold it, and now I have a Ron Kirn tele. Sweet ~

[Kazz]

I am quite envious over that Ron Kirn tele....he is the man.

[Miami-Ace]

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.

[Tig***]

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.

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

Be sure to introduce yourself over in The Fret Players section.

[Brian Krashpad]

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

Be sure to introduce yourself over in The Fret Players section.

+1 to both of those!

[Tig***]

Tele's rule!!!!

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

[sunvalleylaw]

Beauty, eh?