Telecaster Love Thread, No Archtops Allowed

[oldwoodak]

wildwood tele with humbucker has been seeing a lot of action since I got it this year, from rock to jazz. it's just the thing

[jazzbow]

Y'know, I read this thread which made me pull out me Squiffy Tele for a noodle.

I've been hanging out with an Epi Emp Reg some 2 months and Squiffy is just sooo easy to play, no thought needed.
Just pick up, twiddle and play.


Squiffy set to go twanng.


Straight neck, no relief!


No resistance, glide baby!

Ahh!

It don't matter what Tele you got, designer this-mass produced what!
No ifs and no buts-the suit remains the same cut!

[rictroll]

A Deluxe picked up used. Looks to be a 2008-2009.

Currently strung with flats.

I don't use it on gigs, but it's the one guitar I keep out of its case. Easy to grab and gets played everyday.

[jzucker]

i just bought a used larrivee malibu tele.

[rictroll]

LOL

it has seen a few gigs, but I generally stick to my archtops for gigging.

At this point I'm more confident using them as I'm fairly new to the Tele world.

[old tube]

I built my own .... with a lot of help from MJT.

Homage to a well used 1957.

Neck is a treat, big "V" with a 7 1/2" radius fretboard.

[christianm77]

LOL

it has seen a few gigs, but I generally stick to my archtops for gigging.

At this point I'm more confident using them as I'm fairly new to the Tele world.

Unacceptable ;-)

Seriously, an archtop is like a suit, though. Sometimes you need to dress up a bit haha. I do use archtops sometimes, but I really like having the flexibilty of a Tele, and the sound for jazz is as good as any of the archies I own (I'm sure I'd feel different if I got a Sadowsky or something). I've preferred single coils for jazz for a while though... I admit I'm probably in a minority.

I also like the idea of an essentially genre neutral guitar - I think Adam Rogers said that about his 335. The Tele doesn't dictate how you play. If you play an archtop you are making out that you are a 'jazz guitarist' or a Jazz Guitarist. Not itself a bad thing, of course, but ATM I'd rather be a jazz musician who plays the guitar, if that makes any sense at all.

[jzucker]

I'm not sure if that's really a Tele any more. Pretty guitar though!

Sure it is. Tele body , swamp ash, bolt on maple/rosewood fingerboard.

It's got a 12-16" radius, 6105 frets and PAF style pickups so not only can I play jazz on it but its also an awesome fusion guitar and with coil taps get a decent twang as well.

This is what I've been looking for.

[mr. beaumont]

Well, the twang is only one thing a tele does...think about Ed Bickert, for example...I wonder if he even knows if his bridge pickup works?



In other tele news, hey, found an actual picture of mine!

[55bar]

Not Jazz as such but great tune, playing and guitar none the less.

[iim7V7IM7]

I am very happy with new My Ron Kirn Tele. It pretty much is a straight ahead ash bodied Tele some nice features like a compound 9.5"-12" radiused rosewood fingerboard, 6125 stainless steel frets, Birdseye maple neck, Callaham bridge, and Klein Nocaster pickups. I play it with nickel round wounds 0.011" to 0.048". I use it to play electric blues and rock of my youth. I frankly don't use it for jazz but It has a nice tone and I suppose I could. It's neck PU has a thick, beautiful timbre.

[OPherman47]

I wanted a dual humbucker tele. And then they came out with the blacktop tele, I rewired it with dimarzio 36 anniversary pafs, with a push pull pot to change between series and parallel on the neck pickup... I get full bodied jazz tone and can get a acousticy comp tone with the push pull... Joe glaser did the work and set it up for me, then they come out with an American one finally!!!!! Now I gotta save up to get that one.

But seriously I got the blacktop used for 200 and it sounds amazing!!!

[OPherman47]

The special edition that I am Jones- ing for right now!!!

[55bar]

wow great player , thanks for that , i checked
out his other stuff on utube too , really great

saw him in an interview doing his country thing ..... chops !

i just got how much of that country stuff is coming from the tonic being a dom7 chord ...

omg thanks man
epithany !

Guthrie trapp literally changed my life and mind about country guitar once I worked out a few of his solos I discovered a few commonalities with jazz funnily enough "triad pairs!"

This was my first introduction it melted my face! I immediately slowed it down and learned it. There is also a great interview online look up Greg V and Guthrie trapp short film you will find it...

Happy picking

[blackcat]

Classic Vibe 50s Tele. Good example. Changed neck p/u to SD Alnico II, pickguard to thin bakelite version, bridge = Wilkinson + adjustable saddles, jack socket to Switchcraft. E.Ball Slinkys ( 10s ) to maintain some 'chime' ( flatwounds on all other guitars ). Does it all. Perhaps the one guitar that will always stay here. Low cost project.

[christianm77]

I think I understand what you are saying.

Except that's how comfortable I feel with my archtop (in terms of its applicability to many forms of music). I'd like to think that its the musician that brings the music to the table versus the guitar itself.

I would't bother trying to understand what I'm saying too much as being purposefully a bit silly ;-) But I do like the transparency of my new toy.

That said, I would like to think that the musician is the important thing, but there's no question that when I need to play a more modern style of guitar (such as something more rocky), an archtop is no good. That's why loads of pros play 335's I guess... it's 'archtoppy' enough to look like a jazz guitar but can be used for more modern playing too....

Back in the 50's the archtop was capable of playing contemporary music (such as rock'n'roll or R&B), so the instrument kind of had a different social function. These days it feels like you are making a statement picking up an instrument like this. It's a funny one. I'm probably overthinking.

Bottom line is it's nice to be able to bring one axe to a gig and not have to think too much.

[jzucker]

my barney kessel actually get a killer fusion tone. With my kemper set to a dumble tone the tone on my kessel is as good as any standalone fusion axe I've ever owned. The only real problem is that the shared string set (.012 flats) makes it hard to bend notes and then there's the feedback...

I would't bother trying to understand what I'm saying too much as being purposefully a bit silly ;-) But I do like the transparency of my new toy.

That said, I would like to think that the musician is the important thing, but there's no question that when I need to play a more modern style of guitar (such as something more rocky), an archtop is no good. That's why loads of pros play 335's I guess... it's 'archtoppy' enough to look like a jazz guitar but can be used for more modern playing too....

Back in the 50's the archtop was capable of playing contemporary music (such as rock'n'roll or R&B), so the instrument kind of had a different social function. These days it feels like you are making a statement picking up an instrument like this. It's a funny one. I'm probably overthinking.

Bottom line is it's nice to be able to bring one axe to a gig and not have to think too much.

[llazarides]

this thread is not helping my GAS for a tele...not at all...neither is this video...

[christianm77]

my barney kessel actually get a killer fusion tone. With my kemper set to a dumble tone the tone on my kessel is as good as any standalone fusion axe I've ever owned. The only real problem is that the shared string set (.012 flats) makes it hard to bend notes and then there's the feedback...

The feedback would be the issue. Archtops sound fat through a bit of drive. Great for the studio - although like you say flatwound/heavy strings do tend to dampen down on the histrionics....

A lot of posters here have their Tele's set up with flats by the sound of it. I'm playing a set of .11 round wounds on mine, not quite ideal for bop...

[jzucker]

The feedback would be the issue. Archtops sound fat through a bit of drive. Great for the studio - although like you say flatwound/heavy strings do tend to dampen down on the histrionics....

A lot of posters here have their Tele's set up with flats by the sound of it. I'm playing a set of .11 round wounds on mine, not quite ideal for bop...

I can play quite loud through a dumble tone without feedback on the bridge pickup of the kessel and if I tape the F-Holes, it's a non issue. The problem is that the guitar is too fat for rhythm playing.

11s on a tele should be no problem for jazz. Lots of guys are playing straight-ahead jazz with that setup. The issue on the tele is that if you have the action set low for chickin' pickin' it doesn't sound good for clean jazz.

[Eddie Lang]

I was very attracted to the Larrivée Bakersfield a couple years ago, but I did not move fast enough I guess. Since then, they have become very rare and hard to find. Moreover, at the time, $ CAD was about on par with $ US; it's a different story now...

[55bar]

Just remembered why I wanted to play jazz on a telecaster my hero: go to 2:00 for a killing solo.

[55bar]

Oh and Ben Jones too 1:00 for solo

[jazzbow]

Just remembered why I wanted to play jazz on a telecaster my hero: go to 2:00 for a killing solo.

Ah, Morrisey Mullen at the Half Moon in Putney! Thanks for reminding me.

Jim Mullen is the man, check this out. CM77, I hope this video is allowed? It features an A*****p.

I love the fact he plays an Aria now.

[christianm77]

Ah, Morrisey Mullen at the Half Moon in Putney! Thanks for reminding me.

Jim Mullen is the man, check this out. CM77, I hope this video is allowed? It features an A*****p.

I love the fact he plays an Aria now.

I make exceptions for Jim.

I remember him telling me he liked to play a telecaster because he could 'get a swing with it' - for defending himself against hells angels etc in rough 1970's music venues.

[medblues]

Many more with the Organic Trio.

[floatingpickup]

I had a really clean all original '72 Tele for a while, but I let it go a few years ago. It was a cool guitar and I really wish I had it back. Since this thread is about tele's I thought I would post a picture of it.
Keith

[christianm77]

I wonder if in 30 or 40 years what currently budget guitars will become the sought after vintage guitars?

[riovine]

My DIY Tele, just completed a few weeks ago. Got the body at the Dallas Guitar Show from some guy in Ohio who had a bunch of CNC bodies, this one was a second for $40 because it is a 3-piece body, can't remember the type of wood. Had a set of old Tele pickups & tuners laying around, bought the rest of the HW from Stewmac & Allparts. Got an unfinished neck from Musikraft, 1 3/4" nut, ebony board, meduim C carve, Gibson scale length (24 3/4"). Took a rasp file to the body & did an arm rest & body bevel, makes it a lot more comfortable. Had to do a little drilling for the string ferrules & the Sperzel guides. Finished the body & neck with Tru-Oil. Was going to try nitro, but after doing some research, it sounded like some pretty nasty stuff, a lot of guys on the various Tele forums spoke highly of Tru-Oil. It really worked out good, used one whole small bottle, I think 7 coats in all. I also did a non-standard wiring.

It gives me a bunch of tone options from the standard Tele sounds, to a Strat like out of phase sound to an almost wah like sound.

The only thing that is not quite right is the low E is very close to the edge of the neck. I usually don't have a problem with the string rolling off the edge, but I'd like to be a littler better centered. Using Elixir 11's roundwound.

Here is the body before:



And fully assembled after:

[eddy b.]

Here's my G&L semi hollow Bluesboy and my Fender Fat Tele, and my age old dilemma, I got a Gibson head on a Fender body what to do?

[FidgetStone]

As much as I continue to love the American Deluxe Strat that was my original dream guitar, the ASAT (Leo's last take on the Tele) was my first "where have you been all my life" guitar. If I ever let this one go it will be for a semi hollow version of the same.

[GNAPPI]

I like the Tradition Jerry Reid telecaster clones, the middle and neck pups add a bit of flexibility over standard telecaster wiring.

[Esko]

I got a Tele. A 10 year old US tele American Deluxe. Classic configuration, neck and bridge single coils (noiseless on mine).

I plug it into my Princeton Reverb '65 Reissue

I am a very happy man. It is the ultimate gigging guitar. The neck pickup has such a great sound for jazz with just a touch of roll off. Why did I ever waste my time playing things with f-holes?

Other people are invited to say nice things about Telecasters.

I can only try to image the vibes you get, I am also quite hyppy when I plug my cheap Tokai to Peavy and hear that bell like sound.

[Ray175]

I own a Peavey Omniac JD, based on the Tele but built to Jerry Donahue's specifications.

Great range of tones, from the traditional Tele twang, to the out of phase qStrat uack, and a "woman tone" position as well.

The neck is the most comfortable one I have ever played for bending work, with a sharp V in the lower register which gradually flattens as you aproach the body.The headstock is slightly extended to allow you to do behind the nut bends more easlily - something I had never really thought about before seeing JD play, but which opens up a whole range of vistas and opportunities (particularly on harmonics)

[Keira Witherkay]

my Van Wyk Custom build and my Engl tube amp .... combo sounds fab for jazz really huge clean tone and the 50W Engl tube amp offers tons of headroom in a package as small and light as a princeton ....but with triple the power and headroom i'm gigging this all the time, my archtops stay at home

[Gitfiddler]

Scofield plays an old MIJ Ibanez Tele...and sounds...well...like Sco!

[gtrplrfla]

Guthrie trapp literally changed my life and mind about country guitar once I worked out a few of his solos I discovered a few commonalities with jazz funnily enough "triad pairs!"

This was my first introduction it melted my face! I immediately slowed it down and learned it. There is also a great interview online look up Greg V and Guthrie trapp short film you will find it...

Happy picking

Being a frequent visitor to Nashville during their annual Guitar Show, Roberts Lounge , where this was filmed has become our must visit destination. The Don Kelley Band always features great country pickers of the Tele twang, chicken pickin' genre. Prior to Guthrie's tenure , Johnny Hiland and before him, Brent Mason performed guitar duties. I would sit, set after set , mouth agape , while they would peel off super solos all with customary aplomb ! Do yourselves a favor, fellow members and check out these guitarists on YouTube. I guarantee you'll be glad you did !

[GuitarWalter]

Guthrie trapp literally changed my life and mind about country guitar once I worked out a few of his solos I discovered a few commonalities with jazz funnily enough "triad pairs!"

I am too lazy and too untalented for working out some G. Trapp stuff - but I really like his style. Its much more than "country"... here is a cool piece of music

And here you can find some more ...
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ic+City+Roots+

[Herbie]

Every home should have a Telecaster.

This is my neighbour's Tele-home:



I have been planning a Les Paul vane to balance the guitaristic situation in our neighborhood.

[MilesPG]

Here are my two Teles. An American Vintage '52, no mods, and also a '72 Custom Road Worn with some major upgrades like the Creamery Classic 71 PU in the neck

[55bar]

Here are my two Teles. An American Vintage '52, no mods, and also a '72 Custom Road Worn with some major upgrades like the Creamery Classic 71 PU in the neck

Both stunners! I have a real hankering for a black guard tele!

This didn't help!

Or this

[Scotto]

I was in a local guitar shop the other day and ran across these teles... the one on the left is priced around $4700.

[rsclosson]

Finally got another tele. I found a super deal on a used MIM Standard. I had an original style 3 saddle brass bridge that I added because I like the look better than the newer style 6 saddle bridge. I never have had a problem intonating the 3 saddle bridge.

I am convinced that, if some people didn't expect to see an archtop for jazz, I would use the tele for everything.

It would definitely be my desert island axe. (I think)

[Flat]

I was in a local guitar shop the other day and ran across these teles... the one on the left is priced around $4700.

Hey, Scotto. Where is that shop? Looks like a yen mark, so I assume the shop is in Japan.

I'm in Japan too. Hamamatsu, the self-anointed Music City Japan, I suppose because Yamaha, Tokai, Roland and a few other gear manufacturers are here.

The local players here seem to love Fenders and especially Gibsons. And PRS.

It's kind of funny. My telecaster is a "vintage" 1980 Tokai Breezy Sound built here in Hamamatsu. (See post #6). Cats here don't much want 'em. But I love them. Some of the best Teles I've ever played.

Which is weird, because I went to high school near Fender in Fullerton.

I guess the grass is always moto midori, ne?

[Greentone]

Go Telecasters! (and G&L Telecaster-like guitars also designed by Leo!)

Alas, I've got nothing to show, right now. I sold my '52 Reissue and gave my '83 to my son. (wipes away a tear) Zero Telecasters in the Greentone home, at present.

Surely the wife will understand if I remedy this by tracking down a boatneck Nash T-57, right?

Gotta have a Telecaster, even if it's a parts-o-caster. FWIW, I happen to favor the Nash parts-o-casters, these days. Go ahead, call me a traitor, but six Fenders down the road, from vintage 60s to 90s reissue instruments, I have moved on and become a Nash fan.

Oh, yes...Go Tokai! The Japanese versions of the Telecaster are some of the absolute best I have ever played. In the early 90s I was in a country band in which I used a CIJ Fender Telecaster that was retrofitted by Joe Barden with a pair of his pickups. The guitar belonged to a band mate, but he let me use it rather than lug an instrument 75 miles to the gig. (He provided the amp, too.) The guitar was outstanding.

[Cunamara]

All Teles are parts-casters...

[nick1994]

Another tele guy over here. I have a us standard and one of those fender bullet teles from 81'. hoping I'll be able to add one of those MIJ 52' teles to my collection.

[floatingpickup]

I bought a tele today. It's a 2011 American Standard, natural finish with a rosewood fingerboard. Sure is pretty.
Keith

[Scotto]

Hi Flat, that store was in Shinjuku in Tokyo. Funny, I grew up in Redondo, Hermosa area. I recently heard that the "Handcrafted in Japan" fenders are not going to be made after this year. It might be a good time to pick one up before they start going up in ￥￥￥！Last time I took a stroll through LA, I visited the Fender museum in Fullerton, very interesting. There are some great Japanese guitars here. I'm actually looking for a MIJ orange label Casino at the moment. Matane!

[Toat]

The jazz guitarist fetish with telecasters is weird and doesn't make sense. There are much better solid body guitars for playing jazz, namely the les paul. It seems that simply because a few prominent players had a personal preference for the telecaster and now every jazz guitarist just thinks "hrmph gotta have a tele to go with my archtops" when teles make horrible twangy tones that suck for jazz, but the jazz guitarist is equally ignorant of solid body guitars and doesn't know how to make a good decision.