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Thanks to anyone who can offer me some advice. My 15 year old son has been playing bass in both Orchestra and Jazz. He also plays bass guitar where appropriate. The current guitarist is off to college on a full music scholarship in a couple of months. My freshman son is chomping at the bit to take his place. He’ll still play some bass I’m sure but he is ready to step out front a little more. I’m looking for advice on selecting an instrument. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this forum and have picked up some of the terminology. His school has a new Gibson style “jazz box”. Patrick wants something different. He watched a Jazz performance recently where the guitarist used a Telecaster. He would love to have an American made version but that it probably out of the budget. I’ve studied several imports such as Thinlines for around 8- $900. That’s about as high as I can go. Anyone have a recommendation?
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04-09-2018 11:47 AM
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Not what you're asking, so this is unsolicited, but...
If he is serious about music, he'll probably get a lot more work on bass.
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There are lots of Fender models to choose from. People seem to like the Baja for its fat neck. Personally I wouldn't go for a thinline unless he is planning on wearing rhinestone studded clothes. Seriously though, they are still mostly solid bodies but have a lighter upper half.
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American Special Tele. Available in your budget and come with a fantastic set of PU’s for jazz - superb fatness with a slight roll of the tone control.
Oh, and do not fear the asinine-named “greasebucket” tone circuit. It is ideal for a jazz sound - you can dial back quite a bit without getting a muffled mess.
In my opinion.
EDIT: Note that MF is 15% off.
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I always thought the thinlines were very cool.
Originally Posted by lammie200
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The Made in Mexico Fender Classic series are great guitars and great values. I'd think a 60's classic or a '72 with the neck humbucker would be great for a jazz guitar. The thinlines are cool too, I prefer the '69 to the '72, as I kinda feel a true tele HAS to have a single coil pickup in the bridge
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You should be able to find a good used American Standard Tele for maybe $700, made in Mexico even cheaper.
I like to shop Craigslist, but that depends largely on the size of your community. Also, Guitar Center has a huge national network of used gear you can shop on their website. If you find one you like online, you can have a guitar "shipped to store" near you if there is a local GC in your area.
Personally, I'd skip the thinline and just get a good ole solidbody with the single coil pickups. The biggest questions are maple vs rosewood neck, and also 3 saddle vs 6 saddle bridge. My preference is for 6 saddle bridge to simplify intonation issues, but others prefer the 3 saddle for tone.
Your kid is lucky! I wish someone had bought me a telecaster when I was in high school. Woulda changed my life.
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Another thing to consider is a maple or rosewood fb. Many players have a strong preference. (Not necessarily recommending the following two, just for illustration purposes.)
1999 FENDER TELECASTER - THINLINE - MEXICAN SUNBURST | eBay
Fender Deluxe Telecaster Thinline - 3-color Sunburst with Pau Ferro Fingerboard | Sweetwater
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new squiers and mexico made fenders are great quality instruments and excellent value for the money.
It could be a better place to start until he finds out what his preferences are (in terms of neck profile, bridge type, fingerboard wood, etc).
But if he kind of knows what he wants I woulndn't either advice against buying an american made fender.
I spent all my money on an american made fender strat when I was 14 and I still have it and I still play it.
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I'd suggest getting a 30 day return privilege with whatever you buy. GC stores do that automatically, I believe. They honor it without question, in my experience. I don't know about mail order
The reasons: 1. I can't tell a thing about how I'm going to like a guitar from playing it in the store. 2. I love the way Tele's sound, but I've never found one that felt comfortable (neck is too big for me in a couple of dimensions). Obviously, other people are perfectly comfortable. But which will your son be? 3. In the store, a maple neck Strat felt great and I bought it. I ended up wishing that it had a rosewood fingerboard and a bigger radius.
Anyway, the point is that the return privilege protects you against buying something he won't like after he plays it for a few weeks.
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Just make sure he plays the Tele befor you buy one. He needs to bond with the guitar he's going to play.
My suggestion is get a Tele with a neck humbucker or mini humbucker of some kind, if he's going to use it for a Jazz gig.
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No biggie, but I have always thought that the classic shaped f-holes look out of place on such a decidedly modern body shape. Now even the Eric Johnson Strat has them, so I may be the only one that feels that way. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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Google "Tele Style Guitar Kit" and you will find a zillion offerings ranging from sixty dollars to a couple grand.
Build it with him. People nowhere near as bright as you do it all the time. You will never forget it. He will never ditch it. It will be great.
And yes, it will be "Made in the US!"
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Hmm? In high school, I played jazz band/orchestra on both upright bass and guitar. (The school owned a Guild Starfire III--the red one with a single cutaway.) I loved it.
Today, I'd probably be like your son and want a Fender Strat or Tele. Either one would work, just fine. The thing to do is concentrate on the music. Either instrument will serve your son well.
The advice offered above, i.e., that your son will get many more calls on bass, is absolutely true.
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There are always nice used American Teles out there in your price range, as noted above. The other nice thing about buying a good used one is that there is always a good market for used Teles too if he decides he doesn’t want one.
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I’m in the “used” American Tele camp, if he goes further in guitar it’ll serve him well. And if he doesn’t - worst case scenario - you sell it for closer to what you spent than buying a new special, MIM etc. Assuming you don’t keep it for yourself if his interest dies.
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Excellent recommendations have been made.
Another consideration for a great Tele is G&L. Check out their ASAT line. Custom shop quality at a mass production price. They also have a lower price point import version (Tribute), but the quality is still very high. I own both G&L and Fender Teles. They each have their own voice, but all can get a nice jazz tone.
G&L Musical Instruments | Made in Fullerton Since 1980
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1)
2) In addition to the sound advice already given, allow me to add: try before you buy. Also, your son may need to make a decision on whether he wants a wound or plain G string. if he anticipates playing country, rock, or blues, this will be a factor in bridge choice. A six-piece bridge will cover all bases, but there are three-barrel set ups for plain or wound Gs. Just something to consider for the long run.
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My advice would be to travel with your son to your local music store ( or 2 or 3) and play a bunch of Guitars that are within your price range. Do not pay attention to the name on the headstock or where it was made. That is not entirely relevant at this point. Originally Posted by Razorbackjazz
It would be a good idea if your son is able to play some of the music that he will be playing with the big band. I think that he will find that the Telecaster will be a little thin sounding for a big band setting.
I have an Epiphone LP Florentine that is great. It would be a good choice for your son.
Ibanez makes a semi acoustic AF-93. That would also fill the bill.
Good Luck
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I don’t know if things have changed, but when I was in High School jazz band, the majority of the music was rock oriented. And that was the early 70s. I had an early 60s Goldtop Les Paul with soap-bar pickups! All I was expected to do was rock out on solos. No Freddie Green-style comping. I bet it’s still like that. So I think a Tele would be just fine. Originally Posted by Doublea A
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Originally Posted by Razorbackjazz
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"My son wants a Telecaster"
The 5 greatest words ever spoken by a son to his Dad!
Congratulations, you have a fine lad there!
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Thanks for all the advice. I could have been a little more thorough in my description on the OP. His Grandma bought him a Fender American PBass when he was 10. He was already in orchestra and at home, he learned dozens of Iron Maiden songs. Now he’s enjoying the fruits of 5+years of hard work. He is currently playing bass in his school Jazz Band, school Orchestra, the City’s youth orchestra. He plays at school drama class musicals and for our local repertory theatre. Next year he’ll add a third(PE credit) Marching Band, playing bass and possibly guitar on the sidelines I suppose. All that being said, he is a 100% Fender fan. I think it’s part of his identity at school if that makes sense. I’m probably going the follow the advice to buck up for an American made instrument. We did it with the PBass and have never regretted it. I presume that with his love of classical music and all the stuff he’s involved in that doesn’t require guitar, he will always continue to work on becoming a better bassist. At age 15, considering how proficient he already is, it seems to be the perfect time to learn another instrument. He can already play. He’s had guitars in his reach since he was born. I have my Charvel’s from the 80’s and an acoustic and that’s good enough for me. He is a Fender Guy and the Telecaster seemed the perfect choice. Well except for his Warwick 5 string. You can tell I’m a proud dad. I also love buying gear for him with little desire to buy for myself! Originally Posted by Razorbackjazz
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Yes. There are probably plenty of good options. I guess that I am suggesting to shop for a Guitar to do the job with an open mind and not shop specifically for a particular guitar. Originally Posted by El Fundo
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This looks to be a tad bit beyond your budget, but I have a Strat from the Professional Series that’s flat out amazing. I’ve heard the same about the Teles. Fender has hit the ball out of the park with this latest series!
The seller is is accepting offers.
2017 Fender American Professional Telecaster, Super Clean! Worldwide Shipping! | eBay
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