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Hi guys,
I'm going to buy a tele, as I've found that I need a more versatile and durable instrument, particularly for traveling, than my archtop. So, I'm interested in two models. I've found a standard Fender Tele for $499.
And you can get a Squier Classic Vibe Tele for $391 just about anywhere.
The main differences between them is the body material (the Squier's pine in particular intrigues me) and the pick up (the Squier's humbucks vs. the Fender's standard PU).
I want to accomplish as classic a warm Tele jazz tone as possible but, while I'm leaning toward the Fender, the Squier seems interesting, as lots of raves have come with it. The price difference is not an issue.
Why can't I go play them side by side and decide for myself, you ask? I'm left handed, so I might as well try to play show room models with my feet. I'm basically dyslexic in that sense.
You guys have always helped in the past. Please enlighten me yet again! And thanks in advance for the input.
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11-17-2014 03:21 PM
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I find the necks on the squires to be a little more glossy and the Fenders to be more of a matte finish. I personally like a single coil in a tele. I've only ever seen singles on the Squire CVs but I'll take your word for it. I went with a Fender and put an N3 noiseless pickup in it. Single coil sound with no hum. Aside from looks I doubt you'll notice any sonic differences in what kind of wood is in your plank.
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Some of those pine Teles can be remarkably heavy. Some of the Alder Teles can be really light. When you're talking cheap guitars ordered online, you're basically throwing the dice. Personally I'd go with the Standard as I've never liked the necks on Squiers. I also like having "Fender" on the headstock of my guitars. Shallow of me, I know
I picked up a GC FSR Mexi Tele in transparent butterscotch and I love it. When I replaced the pickups with Lollars I saw that the front position was routed to allow a humbucker. I imagine the Fender Standard probably has the same route. If not and you want a thicker tone, there are lots of aftermarket singlecoil sized humbuckers available.
Keep in mind you'll probably need to get some work done on the guitar as those cheap ones almost always need a good fret leveling even when the neck is sound and straight. Also, you'll want to set the action fairly high if you want to minimize some of the "spank" inherent in the Tele design.
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I'm not sure where I got the idea that the Squier had an HB, but looking at it now, it is definitely listed as single coil. IN that case, not such a difficult comparison after all. Gotta go with the Fender then, since I've never owned one. Thanks!
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DG, thanks for the heads up. In the world of left handed guitar buying, one had better know how to set up a guitar properly and do some basic mods or you get disappointed really quickly. I look forward to those even if I'm not a great technician. Since I always have to buy through the mail, there's a lot of incentive to buy cheap. Kind of sucks but that's just how it is. I can't get a shop to order a lefty for me to see whether I really like it or not.
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Mostly modern Tele bodies; Fenders & Squiers, have a H/B route-which is great for modding.
Check out the electronic modding
Wiring & Tech Info
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Jazzbow. Thanks! That may well come in handy. I plan to experiment with the single coil until I feel I've exhausted all of its possibilities before switching the pup, though.
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Both are good, but my preference is the Made In Mexico Fenders which I think the Standards are. The Squire Classic Vibe guitars are a good value.
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Hi Bensta,
I have just been through this one myself and settled on the American special, I put some flat 11s on it and with the Mambo 10 sounds great and plays fantastic.
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The 5 way switch mod is excellent. Very usable at loud volumes, a Jazzbow recommends.
Originally Posted by Bensta
One day I'll try the 1/2 out of phase neck pickup and Q filter tone mods.
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Two brands you might also consider:
G&L Tribute
They've got at least one lefty-model. I own a Asat Bluesboy Semihollow (USA-made, not the tribute series) and that's the guitar I do almost all of my gigs with. And I've heard they put the original american pickups into the Tribute-series as well. So you may don't need to change...
Yamaha
I don't know if they have a lefty-model and I've never played one of their Tellies. But I've played some stratocasters from them and if you like the satin-neck feel over the glossy one you'll probably like them.
Have fun finding your instrument and be prepared to get tele-addicted ;-)
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I played a version of the $499 MIM tele linked in the original post.. I thought it played great!
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I really like the squier. Played side by side with an American standard and even a G&L, I personally liked the squier best. Fantastic jazz tone. Great playing guitar. I should have bought it.
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If you're looking for a Tele with humbuckers, you might want to consider the (relatively) new Squier Vintage Modifed '72 Thinline:
Squier Vintage Modified 72 Thinline Maple Neck Telecaster Electric Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst | Musician's Friend
It has an ash body, and has been getting lots of favorable reviews, including on the TDPRI.com forum:
NGD Vintage Modified 72 Thinline - It's a Winner! - Telecaster Guitar Forum
And you can't beat the sub-$300 price.
EDIT: Oops--just noticed that you're apparently looking for a lefty, so this probably should be a "never mind."
Last edited by Wes Fan; 11-17-2014 at 07:38 PM.
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I've been looking at a Squire classic vibe tele as well. Is there any difference between the 'older' ones and new runs? I ask because you can get one new for $380 but many folks selling one they've had a few years are asking more than $400, with no apparent upgrades...?!
Also thoughts on the thinline vs the solid body. It seems folks are happy with the solid body for versatility include jazz sounds and the thinline seems unnecessary.
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This one as soon as I get it finished!
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I'm baffled by this as well. The pricing of Teles in general is difficult for me to grasp. Originally Posted by s1track3d
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I did a Tele fact finding tour of all the Tele's I could lay me hands on and I see it like this... Originally Posted by Bensta
MIM Satin Tele's with the shiny colours and R/W fingerboard are good value.
USA Tele's are excellent but too pricey for me
Squier Affinity Tele's are excellent too
Squier Classic Vibe are all round good value, decent woods, good quality hardware and electrics.
I would have got myself the MIM in the orangey mettalic but the second hand Squier CV custom was less that half the price and with a bit of tweaking (new nut with wider spread and pickups) is an outstanding piece of kit.
So that day was a real eye opener. Really the only obvious difference for me was between the jump from MIM & Squiers to the USA made stuff and consequently the price.
Aim for a S/H MIM, Happy days!
Oh, and this is is a bit long but very informative...
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Originally Posted by Bensta
Squire get made in different countries and some people say the ones from one country are better than the one from another. Then different models add to the confusion. From what I understand Squires are made on bid, many places have the machinery and the staff to make them. So Fender say we need X number of Squires and companies bid to make them. Whoever wins the bid Fender sends them the technical info necessary, serial numbers, and decals and the guitars get made.
This is part of why I stick to the USA or Mexico made Fender's those are both factories owned by Fender. Get a Fender Standard Tele and you'll be happy.
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Jazzbow, that's a pretty funny video. I'd have loved to see them actually plug those in and not tell the difference. I imagine they might have gotten an earful for doing that, though. The Squier definitely came out looking pretty good.
docbop, thanks for the explanation and, all told, I'm pretty likely to follow your advice and just get the MIM Tele. It's not like I can't change the thing. I've had a couple of people really try to sell me on the Vibe's pine, but I'm not sure I'm all that convinced. I am sure that I'll prefer the Fender neck, though.
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I like a light Telecaster, myself. With that said, you know what? Some of the heavy ones are--like Les Pauls--some of the best sounding ones. The two best sounding Telecasters I have _ever_ played probably tipped the scales at between nine and ten pounds. The bodies were heavy and I suspect that they had thick finishes from the factory. BUT, these guitars sounded unbelievably great.
Why is that?
The lightest one I ever played was my '69. It had a very light body. It was a very good sounding guitar, but it wasn't one of the truly great Telecasters.
Hmm?
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Don't overlook the Baja Tele......custom shop design, but MIM by the cousins of the guys in California.
many think this is the best value tele at $799.
mine is very close to my American Deluxe, at half the price.
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Those are great models, did they start making left handed versions yet like the OP needs? Originally Posted by boatheelmusic
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I tried searching for a lefty after Boatheel brought the Baja to ny attention but was unable to find one. If anyone comes across one, I'd love to know about it.
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Very nice telecasters with a fatter neck profile but be aware they are not routed for a humbucker in the neck. Originally Posted by Bensta
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