Itching for a Fender, which one?

[Marty Grass]

This recently was launched and is cool.

I have two G&L versions of the Strat the I love. One has the standard hum canceling split coils (Comanche) and another has active EMG Dave Gilmours.

This video is worth a watch on Fender's history. It is distinct in almost every way from Gibson.

[Mick-7]

There are of course companies besides Fender that are manufacturing telecaster type guitars, and some of them are said to be superior to Fender's lower priced models, e.g., their Squier line.

The 9 Best Mostly Inexpensive Fender Telecaster Alternatives

[Woody Sound]

OP here. I see that most of the less expensive Fenders have “narrow” (skinny) frets. I really don’t like those.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

How about printing one?

Printables

[jazzloverfat]

OP here. I see that most of the less expensive Fenders have “narrow” (skinny) frets. I really don’t like those.

Don't know if it's out of your budget or not, but Am Performer series has jumbo frets, it was part of the reason i went for this series when i bought my Tele a few years ago.

[Litterick]

I played a Jag-Stang today: thin frets but great fun. The amp was a Mustang, with presets — so now I know what a jazz tone sounds like.

[GuyBoden]

I played a Jag-Stang today: thin frets but great fun. The amp was a Mustang, with presets — so now I know what a jazz tone sounds like.

Nice, but I'm still recommending:

Squier Contemporary Jaguar. (Inexpensive.)

Scale Length 24" (610 mm)

Nut Width 1.650" (42 mm)

Humbuckers.

Nice big Jumbo frets.








The only thing that I'd would consider changing are the machine head tuners for locking tuners for ease of string changing, but the standard split tuners would function ok.

[Average Joe]

I think the difference in tone between the strat and tele neck pickup is often overstated. They both sound like Fender single coils. Sure, the average Stratocaster neck is a bit brighter and thinner. But only a bit, and IMHO turning the controls on the amp will make up for most of it.

Point is, get the guitar you like and play jazz on it. They're all capable of sounding idiomatic

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

I recommend trying a used Yamaha Pacifica 120S Tele-type axe. I like the ones with the simple natural finish best. Mine got a twin sister three days ago. Fretboard radius is 12" IIRC, frets are no real jumbos I think but also not to thin. It's routed for two humbuckers -- I bought my first one with Häussel pickups. The guy I bought it from also took the logo off and I always get asked at sessions what type of guitar that is and people laugh their asses off when I tell them I bought it from a stoner rocker . They are sold for around 200,-- to 250,-- and I drove through half of Germany by train to get my second one because the guy went down to 120,--.

The still available Pacifica 120H YNS ("yellow natural satin") hardtail-Strat seems to be rather similar apart from the shape.

I think I am not the first to mention that Yamaha's are very underrated regarding quality. And used Pacificas from the entry level models up to the Mike Stern signature tele are sold daily. A lot of people who later find out that teaching themselves guitar is not as easy as they thought throw out their Pacifica plus practice amp bundles for cheap.

[Woody Sound]

After much hesitation and indecision, I settled on this Squier Infinity. Cheapest model I could find with decent sized frets. Was pleasantly surprised at the fit and finish. Fret ends decently cut. First thing was to swap out the 9's for 10's. Needed some tr and bridge adjustment. Scratchy fingerboard, both the laurel wood and frets. A couple of applications of Lizard Spit fret polish and boiled linseed oil took care of that. I thought I wouldn't like the satin neck back, but I do, and the contour is very comfy. The sound is way cool. All in all a good intro to Fender single coils for ~$200. ("Fender Days" 20% off sale.) Can't beat that. Thanks to Hammer for some PM advice along the way.

[Woody Sound]

Was pleasantly surprised at the fit and finish.

PS - When I first opened it up, I kinda freaked out thinking the back plate was put on off-center by a morning-after drunk. Having no experience with these, I then realized that's how they are supposed to be because of the trem bridge.