Posted: 4/21/2026 3:13:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: corwin1968][Edited]
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I just discovered the amazing guitar that is the Fender Telecaster!! I always accociated it with the twangy sound of country and pretty much discounted it as a choice but experience with my other two electrics (Stratocaster and PRS SE 245, a LP clone) and plenty of Youtube videos convinced me to give the Telecaster another look. I realized there are things I really like about my SE 245: Only 2 pickups with a 3-way switch and a usable bridge pickup. I also realized there I things I really like about my Strat: Single coil pickups, 25.5" scale length and just overall ergonomics. The Telecaster combines all of the things I like about those guitars, with none of the things I don't particularly like about them. My PRS is relatively light and resonant and loud unplugged. My Strat is mid 7lb range and although it isn't the loudest guitar unplugged, when played, it vibrates from the body to the nut. I chose a chambered ash Tele and it weighs next to nothing, vibrates more than my Strat and is louder than my PRS, when unplugged. I even like the color, although I'll probably switch to a black or mint pickguard, at some point. ETA: This is Fender's entry-level Player 2 series. I went to Guitar Center this weekend and for the first time, found myself alone in the high-end guitar room. I, also for the first time, fired up an amp (Fender Deluxe) and played about a dozen guitars thru it, including some really high end Telecasters. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Mach: That is a really nice looking Tele. I have always thought about getting one, and then I discovered acoustics so I have not yet. Not sure I need one but then I remember everybody needs a Tele.  |
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You probably should have bought that amp at the same time. They make that big of a difference. Good looking versatile guitars though.  I’ve played a couple of Walla Walla telecasters…. Amazing guitars. Probably mid to upper entry level price points. |
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Originally Posted By BTccw: You probably should have bought that amp at the same time. They make that big of a difference. Good looking versatile guitars though. I've played a couple of Walla Walla telecasters . Amazing guitars. Probably mid to upper entry level price points. |
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Originally Posted By Pokernut: Led Zeppelin 1 the Tele that sold a million Les Pauls.  Attached File |
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I know Les Paul Jr.'s are considered rock machines and when Fender did their special line of P90 guitars (the Tele had just one, in the bridge) they described the Tele being a rock machine. It's pretty freaking amazing how rock and roll that single coil in the bridge of a Telecaster really is. I run it thru a modeler with compression, chorus and reverb pedals, but all the crunch is from the amp (Fender Twin or Deluxe). I see the huge appeal of an Esquire guitar! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Esquire_jpg-3750957.JPG Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By Pokernut: Led Zeppelin 1 the Tele that sold a million Les Pauls. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Esquire_jpg-3750957.JPG Already scoping out another? Lol... |
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Originally Posted By splitbolt: Already scoping out another? Lol... Originally Posted By splitbolt: Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By Pokernut: Led Zeppelin 1 the Tele that sold a million Les Pauls. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/Esquire_jpg-3750957.JPG Already scoping out another? Lol... I'll just settle for changing my pickguard to black, for now. If I go further in this stuff, I'll have to choose between a nicer Tele and Strat.  What Makes An Intermediate Guitarist?  If You Could Only Have One Guitar, It Should Be This (Fender Telecaster) |
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Like I need another guitar… Attached File Attached File Attached File Hollow body… incredible sound machines. |
Pure blood saved by His.
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In my defense I was left unsupervised.
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Originally Posted By BTccw: Like I need another guitar… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/318955/IMG_1824_jpeg-3751264.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/318955/IMG_1825_jpeg-3751300.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/318955/IMG_1822_jpeg-3751266.JPG Hollow body… incredible sound machines. Next string change; my only factory Tele(early-00...I forget exactly when I bought it) is getting a black abalone pickguard... 
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Originally Posted By Mach: That is a really nice looking Tele. I have always thought about getting one, and then I discovered acoustics so I have not yet. Not sure I need one but then I remember everybody needs a Tele. |
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I've decided I definately prefer the Telecaster over the Stratocaster and PRS LP style guitar and I've made a couple of relatively small changes to it. I didn't like the round tip on the selector switch, so I ordered the tophat variety. It's taller than I thought it would be and although I like it, I would like it more if it was the same height as the round one. Attached File Since I hate changing strings and dont want to mess with vintage style tuners where the string goes in the top, rather than a hole in the side, I installed locking tuners that I had originally bought for my Stratocaster. Attached File There's a high probability I will change to a black pickguard and long-term, I will consider upgrading all of the electronics. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I've decided I definately prefer the Telecaster over the Stratocaster and PRS LP style guitar and I've made a couple of relatively small changes to it. I didn't like the round tip on the selector switch, so I ordered the tophat variety. It's taller than I thought it would be and although I like it, I would like it more if it was the same height as the round one. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20260502_143503_jpg-3756428.JPG Since I hate changing strings and dont want to mess with vintage style tuners where the string goes in the top, rather than a hole in the side, I installed locking tuners that I had originally bought for my Stratocaster. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20260502_143525_jpg-3756429.JPG There's a high probability I will change to a black pickguard and long-term, I will consider upgrading all of the electronics. "Upgrading electronics"...? I'm not familiar with Mexican Fender electronics and how they differ from U.S. counterparts. Do they use metric and/or inferior components? I'm pretty much set in how I like my Teles wired... What are you considering as far as an "upgrade'? Just better components? 4-way switching? Blender control? Modern vs vintage wiring? Supplemental shielding? ETC...? |
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Originally Posted By splitbolt: "Upgrading electronics"...? I'm not familiar with Mexican Fender electronics and how they differ from U.S. counterparts. Do they use metric and/or inferior components? I'm pretty much set in how I like my Teles wired... What are you considering as far as an "upgrade'? Just better components? 4-way switching? Blender control? Modern vs vintage wiring? Supplemental shielding? ETC...? Originally Posted By splitbolt: Originally Posted By corwin1968: I've decided I definately prefer the Telecaster over the Stratocaster and PRS LP style guitar and I've made a couple of relatively small changes to it. I didn't like the round tip on the selector switch, so I ordered the tophat variety. It's taller than I thought it would be and although I like it, I would like it more if it was the same height as the round one. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20260502_143503_jpg-3756428.JPG Since I hate changing strings and dont want to mess with vintage style tuners where the string goes in the top, rather than a hole in the side, I installed locking tuners that I had originally bought for my Stratocaster. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20260502_143525_jpg-3756429.JPG There's a high probability I will change to a black pickguard and long-term, I will consider upgrading all of the electronics. "Upgrading electronics"...? I'm not familiar with Mexican Fender electronics and how they differ from U.S. counterparts. Do they use metric and/or inferior components? I'm pretty much set in how I like my Teles wired... What are you considering as far as an "upgrade'? Just better components? 4-way switching? Blender control? Modern vs vintage wiring? Supplemental shielding? ETC...? I changed the strings for the first time tonight and the locking tuners made it so freaking easy. It's also like a completely different guitar. Looks, feels and sounds different. The strings seem much tighter and look bigger, even though they are the same exact gauge as the stock strings. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Over the past few years, I've watched tons of videos comparing stock pickups, in various levels of guitars, with more boutique pickups and the boutiques pretty much always sound better. So based on my limited knowledge and experience, better physical components (ie, pots, switches, etc...) and better pickups. Right now, I'm happy with a simple 3 way switch and have no interest anything more complex than that. A lot of it is that I just enjoy modifying things I buy and even boutique pickups aren't that expensive. It's just another aspect of the hobby. I changed the strings for the first time tonight and the locking tuners made it so freaking easy. It's also like a completely different guitar. Looks, feels and sounds different. The strings seem much tighter and look bigger, even though they are the same exact gauge as the stock strings. Right on... My preferred pickups and wiring for a Tele are Fralin Vintage Hots with 4-way switching, vintage-wired tone(no treble bleed) and .022 cap. Something special about Tele pickups in-series... |
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Originally Posted By Pokernut: Led Zeppelin 1 the Tele that sold a million Les Pauls.
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Pour over coffee is best coffee.