What Telecaster to Get?

[Bobby Timmons]

I'm not sure what measurement you mean here Mick. 165mm is about 6 1/2 inches.

My mistake, I meant inches:

A = 1 1/2" (1.500"), i.e. narrow
B = 1 5/8" (1.625"), i.e. standard
C = 1 3/4" (1.750"), i.e. wide
D = 1 7/8" (1.875"), i.e. extra wide

There's also 1 11/16 = 1.6850.

My question is what Telecasters are wider than standard, but I know that the neck radius also affects the perception of neck width.

Warmoth. You can get whatever width you want. As well as customize every other spec.

[Hammertone]

High quality tele necks (and various other styles as well) are available with a variety of nut widths, neck profiles, fretboard radii, frets, scale lengths and materials from:
-Warmoth
-Musikraft
-Guitar Mill
and many other smaller shops

[Mick-7]

The thing is, I don't have a Telecaster now (what sacrilege!) and so I don't want to have to make major modifications, like replacing the neck, on whatever Tele I get. And besides, why should I assume that a wider neck will fit on a standard Tele neck sized guitar?

[Bobby Timmons]

^ Get the whole thing from Warmoth. Can choose your pickup, fret size and material, tone woods, body color, and everything.

[Stringswinger]

The thing is, I don't have a Telecaster now (what sacrilege!) and so I don't want to have to make major modifications, like replacing the neck, on whatever Tele I get. And besides, why should I assume that a wider neck will fit on a standard Tele neck sized guitar?

I have a Warmoth neck on a Warmoth body and it works well. It has a 1 11/16 nut and has a wider neck feel than the three Fender necked guitars that I have (which all have a 1 5/8 nut). It should be possible to fit a Warmoth neck to a Fender body, but going with a Warmoth body increases your chances of a perfect fit.

[Sleeko]

Wow! That's just perfect, sign me up.

Since you already owned a Baja Tele, you might check out a used one. They are VERY highly regarded by owners over at The Gear Page. Maybe you already had what you are looking for?

I was looking for a Baja, when I came across the Ritchie Kotzen Signature Tele. It is made in Japan and the QC is astoundingly good, especially since it is not a Custom Shop model. I bought one based solely on the specs (12" radius; scaloped forearm cut; rear body belly cut; DiMarzio P'ups, Modern Bridge Saddles; Gotoh Tuners and have zero regrets. You mentioned not needing 'bling'. Sorry, but this baby is gorgeous with a flame maple cap and gold hardware. But it is priced very reasonably, especially considering the finished product. I view it as a great Tele value.

The only mod I made was to add a stacked tone pot to the controls. Apparently Mr. Kotzen doesn't need a tone pot, and had Fender replace it with a mid-boost for his shreddy solos. Oh, and the neck is not chunky...is is big-ass-bat-fat!! If you have big hands (as I do), you will be in fat neck heaven. I put 11's on mine and love the jazzy-RnB-toRock-to-chicken pickin' tones.

Specs: Richie Kotzen Telecaster(R) | Fender Electric Guitars

Here's the stacked tone pot mod after installation.

[Mick-7]

Found this one: Halo Salvus Wide Neck Tele

Apparently anything wider than 1 5/8 to 1 11/16 is a rare beast.

P.S. - I think a 1 11/16" Tele may work, that Halo is going too far.

[Mick-7]

So, for those who may be interested, a little research revealed that the following Telecaster guitars have the wider 1 11/16 width neck and profile:

Standard Plus neck width: 1 11/16 or 1.6850, found on:

G&L: ASAT Classic & Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Classic (Bluesboy)

Fenders: American Performer; American Professional II; Limited Edition American Professional II Telecaster Thinline; American Ultra Telecaster (10"-14" compound radius); Aerodyne Special Telecaster (12" radius, MIJ).

Has anyone played the last guitar I listed? It looks appetizing, made in Japan, and has a much lower retail price than the other models mentioned -- Aerodyne Special Telecaster(R) - Fender Guitars

[Hep To The Jive]

So, for those who may be interested, a little research revealed that the following Telecaster guitars have the wider 1 11/16 width neck and profile:

Standard Plus neck width: 1 11/16 or 1.6850, found on:

G&L: ASAT Classic & Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Classic (Bluesboy)

Fenders: American Performer; American Professional II; Limited Edition American Professional II Telecaster Thinline; Aerodyne Special Telecaster (MIJ).

Has anyone played the last guitar I listed? It looks appetizing, made in Japan, and has a much lower retail price than the other models mentioned -- Aerodyne Special Telecaster(R) - Fender Guitars

I think the beauty of Fender guitars is that narrow and round necks. For those of us who prefer those specs Fender basically is the last resort. I hate the wide necks, 1 5/8 or narrower is the best, but it becomes harder and harder to find guitars like that. I think all Japanese teles have the narrow necks, maybe it will become the only choice for me, I hope not.

Just saying, because for some reason too many people are asking for the wider necks, and the brands seems to listen. I believe Fender should stick to the traditional specs, there are so many other brands you can go to for what you prefer.

[Mick-7]

I think the beauty of Fender guitars is that narrow and round necks. For those of us who prefer those specs Fender basically is the last resort. I hate the wide necks, 1 5/8 or narrower is the best, but it becomes harder and harder to find guitars like that. I think all Japanese teles have the narrow necks, maybe it will become the only choice for me, I hope not.

Just saying, because for some reason too many people are asking for the wider necks, and the brands seems to listen. I believe Fender should stick to the traditional specs, there are so many other brands you can go to for what you prefer.

The majority of Fender guitars and telecasters have the standard 1 & 5/8 width neck so it is in no danger of being discontinued.

[Mick-7]

I agree with the above sentiment. Tele bodies typically have way too many sharp edges.

That's why I love my Fender Richie Kotzen Tele (MIJ) with its comfy Strat-like ergonomic contours on the front and back of the body. Its the most comfortable Tele I've ever played. The chunky neck isn't for everyone, but it works for my big hands.

Does this model have the standard 1.625" neck width or the Modern C 1.685" width? You mentioned it has a Gibson-like 12" neck profile.

Edit: I see the Fender page answers that: Nut Width = 1.650" (42 mm). Does the wider 12" neck radius (versus Fenders normal 7.5 or 9.5 radius) offset the feel of the thinner neck width? Thank you.

I think the beauty of Fender guitars is that narrow and round necks. For those of us who prefer those specs Fender basically is the last resort.

To your point, while researching this subject, I was actually a little shocked at the dozens of different models of so called "Telecasters" Fender is now producing, some of which appear to be Telecasters in name only. Who exactly is their target market for these quasi-telecasters?

[Cunamara]

I think the beauty of Fender guitars is that narrow and round necks. For those of us who prefer those specs Fender basically is the last resort. I hate the wide necks, 1 5/8 or narrower is the best, but it becomes harder and harder to find guitars like that. I think all Japanese teles have the narrow necks, maybe it will become the only choice for me, I hope not.

Just saying, because for some reason too many people are asking for the wider necks, and the brands seems to listen. I believe Fender should stick to the traditional specs, there are so many other brands you can go to for what you prefer.

My old Squier Affinity Tele came with a neck a touch narrower than 1 5/8". Too narrow for me, but I'm 6'3" with proportionate hands; I like 1 11/16 or 1 3/4, so I tend not to look at actual Fenders. But it's great that there is variety available! One size does not fit all.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

[QUOTE=Hep To The Jive;1354626][...] I think all Japanese teles have the narrow necks, [...]

The Yamaha Pacifica 120S T-type guitars which I usually recommend as very affordable teles with HB routing (and which are very beautiful in the natural finish version) have narrow necks as well unfortunately.

[Hep To The Jive]

The majority of Fender guitars and telecasters have the standard 1 & 5/8 width neck so it is in no danger of being discontinued.

I hope so, but you never know... Look what happened to Guild, traditionally always had that narrow 1 5/8 necks, but beginning from the 90's till this day they got the standard Gibson 1 11/16, some even wider! Actually around 2010 when they started re issuing their classic hollowbodies models they had 1 5/8 neck, 9.5 radius too! Beautiful super comfortable necks, but oh boy, you could read all over the internet how necks too narrow, and wish them were wider... Sure enough after couple of years Guild changed it.

[Hep To The Jive]

To your point, while researching this subject, I was actually a little shocked at the dozens of different models of so called "Telecasters" Fender is now producing, some of which appear to be Telecasters in name only. Who exactly is their target market for these quasi-telecasters?

That I don't see the problem with. The more choice the better. Teles for me are the ultimate modding platform. I actually prefer teles with humbuckers. But no matter what's out there, they still don't have my dream configuration: thinline with filtertrons and bigsby. CS probably does I'm sure, but not a regular production model. So I had to make one myself

[Hep To The Jive]

[QUOTE=Bop Head;1355030]

[...] I think all Japanese teles have the narrow necks, [...]

The Yamaha Pacifica 120S T-type guitars which I usually recommend as very affordable teles with HB routing (and which are very beautiful in the natural finish version) have narrow necks as well unfortunately.

I just recently acquired a new Thinline 72 tele MIJ, the neck is even narrower than 1 5/8, and pretty beefy also. Feels like a dream to me! Not super happy with tiny vintage frets, but that can be changed in the future.... I think MIJ Fender teles suit me the best.

[robocoptick]

fcs just laced this up for me at the beginning of this year. spectacular instrument.

[Mick-7]

fcs just laced this up for me at the beginning of this year spectacular instrument.

What model is that, and which war did it survive?

[Hep To The Jive]

What model is that, and which war did it survive?

Yngwie Malmsteen signature? Joking, but it's got this scalloped thing going ... Never seen this on a tele before.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

fcs just laced this up for me at the beginning of this year. spectacular instrument.

There is always a first time, e.g. for me seeing a tele with a scalloped neck.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

Yngwie Malmsteen signature? Joking, but it's got this scalloped thing going ... Never seen this on a tele before.

Or Richie Blackmore?

[robocoptick]

Yngwie Malmsteen signature? Joking, but it's got this scalloped thing going ... Never seen this on a tele before.

fcs built me a non scalloped version a couple/three years earlier.

[Hep To The Jive]

My old Squier Affinity Tele came with a neck a touch narrower than 1 5/8". Too narrow for me, but I'm 6'3" with proportionate hands; I like 1 11/16 or 1 3/4, so I tend not to look at actual Fenders. But it's great that there is variety available! One size does not fit all.

Yes, it's great that Fender has a variety available. But how about Gibson, Gretsch, Ibanez, etc? Where is the variety? I want to play Gibson SG, but their necks are ridiculously wide, not a joy to play at all. Why don't they make a variety?

[DanielleOM]

So, for those who may be interested, a little research revealed that the following Telecaster guitars have the wider 1 11/16 width neck and profile:

Standard Plus neck width: 1 11/16 or 1.6850, found on:

G&L: ASAT Classic & Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Classic (Bluesboy)

Fenders: American Performer; American Professional II; Limited Edition American Professional II Telecaster Thinline; American Ultra Telecaster (10"-14" compound radius); Aerodyne Special Telecaster (12" radius, MIJ).

Has anyone played the last guitar I listed? It looks appetizing, made in Japan, and has a much lower retail price than the other models mentioned -- Aerodyne Special Telecaster(R) - Fender Guitars

You might want to consider the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider T guitar. I like the 43mm nut width and 10-14 compound radius.

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/newr...eply&p=1354594

[Mick-7]

You might want to consider the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider T guitar. I like the 43mm nut width and 10-14 compound radius.

Interesting, thank you, do you play jazz on it?

I see they have a humbucker version:
Reverend Limited-edition Pete Anderson Eastsider Electric Guitar - Sweetwater.com