A friend of mine (excellent player) did the same with Strats but also blinded for real (a mask on his eyes) and came up with a Japanese model up from all American series so I guess they're not really any rules just take what sounds the best in your hands is a great criteria
Did you had any Thinline in your collection of Tele's ? To me since I'm playing a Thinline Custom 72 (a year or so) I have hard times to go back to any other guitar even to my loved MIJ Esquire
Guitars:
1978 Fender Telecaster Thinline Custom USA, New Nash TL-72 Thinline Telecaster, 1965 Harmony Meteor, H71, 1986 Fender Telecaster Esquire MIJ, New Martin J-41 Special, 1933 National Duolian, 1941, New Eastwood Mandocaster 12 strings
Amps:
Tweed Vibrolux Custom Denis Manlay, 1976 Fender Deluxe Reverb Silverface