PonyOne
03-13-2005, 02:16 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/tristan_s/tele1.jpg
Cost: $400-700 (used)
Pros:
-tone. monster.
-uncommonly ornate for a Telecaster
-nice woods and perfect construction
-more individual than another '52 Reissue
-MIJ means it sounds better and costs less
Cons
-no longer in production
-scratches/dents hurt to look at
what a sexy beast.
A lot of people ask, from time to time, what the "nicest telecaster" or "best telecaster" or any one of a number of plays on that term is. I will nominate this guitar as one of the best mass-produced iterations.
Released as an unusually ornate 50th anniversary piece, it uses the traditional maple neck with alder body, bolt-neck construction that Fender has been using for ages. It has a rosewood fretboard with fairly plain inlays, and the headstock is painted black with gold Fender Telecaster lettering under a thick clearcoat. The neck finish is the "vintage yellow" type where they put yellow dye in th elaquer to give it an "aged" appearance. Plays slicker than grease.
Unusually ornate? Whatever do you mean, PonyOne?
Look closely in the picture and you'll notice that the guitar has gold hardware, is double bound in an uncommon gunmetal-colored pearloid, and has a matching gunmetal pearloid pickguard. The finish has many coats of clearcoat that give it a mirror-like, deep-looking finish when glossed up.
Of course, appearances are secondary to sound. And that's where this axe shines the best. Of all my guitarist friends who have played it, all have agreed that it is the best playing and nicest sounding one they've ever laid their hands on. The pickups are overwound to have a thicker, more P90-like sound that gives it a great tone for blues and classic rock. Surprisingly, this thing is also great for metal; it just does it all. Clean, it has a nice Telecaster sound to it that's just a bit thicker, that makes it usable as a jazz lead instrument.
I will say that Telecasters are not the most comfortable things ever and this is no exception. No body cuts to make it ergonomic, and a single cutaway and a somewhat intrusive heel. But it is by no means uncomfortable, and once you get your hands around it you become one with it. Play it and you'll understand why it is that gutiarists have loved the Telecaster for the past 50+ years.
Obviously, as a 1996 model, they are unavailable new. They tend to run from $450-800 and go up every year. I got mine for $450 in 2000. The best place to find one would probably be a site like www.gbase.com that deals in used gear. Made with pride in the Land Of The Rising Sun.
Cost: $400-700 (used)
Pros:
-tone. monster.
-uncommonly ornate for a Telecaster
-nice woods and perfect construction
-more individual than another '52 Reissue
-MIJ means it sounds better and costs less
Cons
-no longer in production
-scratches/dents hurt to look at
what a sexy beast.
A lot of people ask, from time to time, what the "nicest telecaster" or "best telecaster" or any one of a number of plays on that term is. I will nominate this guitar as one of the best mass-produced iterations.
Released as an unusually ornate 50th anniversary piece, it uses the traditional maple neck with alder body, bolt-neck construction that Fender has been using for ages. It has a rosewood fretboard with fairly plain inlays, and the headstock is painted black with gold Fender Telecaster lettering under a thick clearcoat. The neck finish is the "vintage yellow" type where they put yellow dye in th elaquer to give it an "aged" appearance. Plays slicker than grease.
Unusually ornate? Whatever do you mean, PonyOne?
Look closely in the picture and you'll notice that the guitar has gold hardware, is double bound in an uncommon gunmetal-colored pearloid, and has a matching gunmetal pearloid pickguard. The finish has many coats of clearcoat that give it a mirror-like, deep-looking finish when glossed up.
Of course, appearances are secondary to sound. And that's where this axe shines the best. Of all my guitarist friends who have played it, all have agreed that it is the best playing and nicest sounding one they've ever laid their hands on. The pickups are overwound to have a thicker, more P90-like sound that gives it a great tone for blues and classic rock. Surprisingly, this thing is also great for metal; it just does it all. Clean, it has a nice Telecaster sound to it that's just a bit thicker, that makes it usable as a jazz lead instrument.
I will say that Telecasters are not the most comfortable things ever and this is no exception. No body cuts to make it ergonomic, and a single cutaway and a somewhat intrusive heel. But it is by no means uncomfortable, and once you get your hands around it you become one with it. Play it and you'll understand why it is that gutiarists have loved the Telecaster for the past 50+ years.
Obviously, as a 1996 model, they are unavailable new. They tend to run from $450-800 and go up every year. I got mine for $450 in 2000. The best place to find one would probably be a site like www.gbase.com that deals in used gear. Made with pride in the Land Of The Rising Sun.