what are telecasters good forwhat are telecasters good for

What Are The Best Pickups For Telecasters? Guitars can have good, high-quality materials and looks, but it is the . He also built guitars that happened to feature headstocks with the tuners all on one side. Although there was the addition of a pickup selector switch, the majority of Esquires produced only included a single pickup. And it just so happens that you'll find the world's biggest selection of new and used Custom Shop Teles right here on Reverb. If you dont know which case you should bay, check out my article about 8 Best Gig Bags For Telecasters. This guitar also features the Fender Greasebucket tone circuit which allows you to roll off the treble without adding bass. The Telecaster and Bigsby vibrato have been mates since the early 50s. Fenders Player Plus Series is amongst the best value-for-money guitars weve seen here. Made in Mexico or MIM Teles are known as workhorse guitars. Rating Popular Music Genres for Telecasters (Vs Stratocaster) FAQs Conclusion Generally, Telecasters are popular for country, western, and traditional rock music. Squier Affinity Telecasters. Yes, Telecasters are generally really good for guitarists with small hands and short fingers. These shipped with a rosewood fingerboard, sunburst finish, and double cream binding around the body. Its just a pure high quality by Fender! The Tele is a no-nonsense, workhorse of an instrument and easily one of the most recognisable body shapes in the world. 1. DiMarzio Twang King; 6. For example, the rear of the body is contoured to allow easy access to the top frets. Controls are more Gibson like with two volumes, two tones and a three-way pickup selector toggle switch. As Fender shuffled the deck over the last few years, it meant the retirement and rebranding of some of the long-standing lines built in its Corona, California facility. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The Fender Ultra Telecaster: is it any good for jazz - YouTube. Its expensive for a Mexican Telecaster, but we'd still say it's worth the money. This leopard print funk machine was a Japanse knockoff of a Tele Standard. Around 1954, Fender revised the colour of the Telecaster, now shipping in a 'Blonde' finish with a white pickguard. Jazzers enjoy the depth it adds to their comping stuff. Position 1 included the volume control but bypassed the tone control. Most of the guitars prior to the Tele were hollow bodies and were prone to feedback - using a solid piece of wood to mount the pickups in helped solve this problem. The Floyd Rose trem system might not be for everyone, but some players love it. If youre a more modern player, the 6-saddle will likely make you happier. You can get a good rock tone out of the bridge pickup, its fairly biting and sounds good. It's only right, then, that he has his own signature Telecaster packed to the brim with special electronics and topped off with a stunning finish. What is best model of Fender Telecaster? Telecasters can be used in pretty much all music genres. In this category, there are also ways of obtaining homegrown value. If your Telecaster quest is for an instrument that embodies the complete, classic feel of Fenders past, there are a surprising number of options in the catalog at multiple price points. Modification plays an important role in the history of Telecasters, so experimentation is key for finding the Tele that resonates with you. Theres also a six-saddle string-through bridge which gives you an excellent intonation and superb tuning stability. The conventional Telecaster bridge is known as an ash-tray bridge, due to the raised surround that originally came with a cover for the bridge pickup. Your purchases also help protect forests, including trees traditionally used to make instruments. Best Telecasters: Guitar World's choice Our top picks for the best Telecaster guitar starts with the Fender American Professional II Telecaster , a seriously beautiful and versatile electric guitar that pays homage to the originals while bringing them right up to date. The compound fretboard radius accommodates speedy licks and riffs nicely, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to the highest frets of the treble strings. The Affinity Telecasters target budget-minded players looking for traditional Telecaster vibe coupled with value pricing and good playability. Never heard of this Peavey model before, but I have a "cheapo" Peavey Zodiac bass (very JB-inspired), and while not pretending to be compete with a good true JB it's still amazing for the money - decent wood, half-decent hardware (which is already more than what you'd expect here), clean finish, very playable and well, on the right amp it really delivers the good rock tones. The iconic whammy bar was designed by inventor and motorcycle engineer Paul A Bigsby. The guitar was born from the genius of Leo Fender and through the years, has gone through multiple configurations. For the Acoustasonic, this means an onboard arsenal of virtually any guitar sound you might need for even the most diverse set list or studio session. Wikipedia page with a list of (famous) Telecaster players. (98.4 cm. Locking tuning machines ensure that string changes are a breeze, whilst making certain its in tune every time you pick it up. There are quite a few different bridge designs that have been attempted over the years, and each has pros and cons to their respective designs. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It could be that you are wondering whether you are in the right place. In my opinion, this Telecaster exceeds all the expectations. Whats more, theres also a push-pull tone pot which gives you access to coil-split single-coil tones! It doesnt have the legendary Fender logo on the headstock, but its still a great electric guitar. Bath This guide will help you choose the right Telecaster for you by taking a look at the history of this famous axe, as well as its most notable exponents. They usually come with longer intonation screws as well, giving you more flexibility to ensure your guitar is in tune all across the fretboard. Would I add this guitar to my own collection? These give you huge, beefy tones that sound great distorted. Try a few and see which you prefer. First impressions are convivial thanks to an easy to love slim C profile neck, coated in a satin urethane finish to avoid a sticky situation when your palm gets sweaty. News and Entertainment from Australia's favourite youth publisher, Since the early 50s, the Fender Telecaster has proven itself to be one of. (32.1 cm.) No matter how advanced you are, you will definitely benefit from adding this guitar to your own collection. Firstly, well have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that guitar. First displayed to the world in 1950, the Telecaster (then named the Esquire) was Leo Fenders first solid-body electric guitar. If you want to play heavy stuff, just get one with a humbucker. Fender Steve Lacy People Pleaser Stratocaster review, "This is a moment I won't forget in a hurry" Richard Fortus is now flying the flag for two great British guitar brands with Guns N' Roses, Learn inspiring guitar chords from Paul McCartney's solo and Wings career. Secondly, how big is a Fender Telecaster? It is also worth mentioning that all guitars from the Player Series are often used by working musicians. I particularly recommend this guitar to more advanced guitarists who are searching for a reliable and great sounding piece of gear suitable for recording and live performances. Blues noodles like the warmth and sustain it can produce. Position 1 activates the bridge pickup with the volume and tone controls engaged. The 60s C shape maple neck and 7.25 radius fingerboard add a tasteful and really enjoyable vintage feel to this Tele. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. Surely, its worth every cent. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. In addition, as the owner of the Telecaster patent, Fender provides a solid, affordable Telecaster spinoff that is built very similarly to the original model. No matter what genre youre working in, the Tele is always up for the challenge. Surely, it will be a good fit for the most demanding guitarists out there. Vintage-correct appointments like the three-bolt neck plate, bent steel saddles, and vintage tuners will keep purists happy, but this instrument can more than hold its own with more modern guitars thanks to those amazing wide-range humbuckers. If you have the budget for it, you probably dont need to search for anything else. It covers a lot of ground due to its classic tone and versatility within the expanse of the rock genre. If you dont necessarily need a Telecaster, you can also check out the Fender Player Jazzmaster. For example, the made-in-Mexico Classic Player Baja 60s Telecaster extends from the smashing success of a Custom Shop design from Fender Master Builder Chris Fleming. Beyond twangy licks and brutal riffs, the Telecaster also knows how to keep it smooth. Yes, absolutely! Privacy Policy. The electronics - most specifically the pickups - are a pair of custom-designed Jason Isbell Telecaster pickups made in conjunction with the pickup wizard Tim Shaw. In general, the spectrum ranges from vintage-inspired tones to modern edge. instore! Start by setting all of your guitar pickups to 3/32 (0.093, 2.38mm) on the bass side and 2/32 (1/16, 0.0625, 1.98mm) on the treble side. Jim Roots signature guitar features a pair of EMG active humbucking pickups that are responsible for his brutal metal tone. Instead, it was named the Esquire: it featured one pickup, a 25-inch scale length, a bolt-on neck, volume and tone controls, symmetrical 3-a-side headstock, and a chrome-covered bridge. The biggest tell tale sign that your action is too low is the dreaded fret buzz! Jim Roots go-to guitar is a HH Telecaster, specifically his signature model. The Tele bridge is another key component in the signature sound of a Fender Telecaster. The headstock changed to an asymmetrical 6-in-a-line style, the bridge would be covered by a removable ashtray, a pickup selector switch and control plate were added, and ash replaced pine as the wood used for the guitar body. Lage has even been spotted with various other styles with soapbars, gold-foil and even a humbucker in the neck position. Amazingly, the first mass-produced solid-body guitar hasnt really changed across 70 years. Some raucous finishes add to the appeal of this thoroughly modern Tele. Fenders Modern C sits somewhere in between these two, offering the best of both worlds. A lot of guitarists like to get their action as low as possible without getting fret buzz. Instead, it features a fixed treble roll-off, which was aimed at jazz players. As you inch toward the top of Fenders Telecaster lineup, youll inevitably land in the Custom Shop. 4th of July DealsUp to 50% off select gearShop now. The six-saddle bridge gives you great flexibility in setup, whilst the steel saddles add a touch of brightness to the overall sound of the guitar. Check Price at Sweetwater. Same price online & Heres what you need to know about the potential flaws of that guitar. In 1959 the Custom Telecaster and Custom Esquire were launched. Nevertheless, theres still a few things that differentiate it from the most expensive American-made Telecasters. Do you think that its worth it? The P.A.F pickup was Gibsons top of the line humbucker model made from 1956-1962 and added some extra bite to Keiths guitar. There's a 10" to 14" compound radius fingerboard to allow for the lowest possible action above the 12th fret, and easy chording in the open positions. Lages piece is fairly stock save for its finish, which has been redone a couple of times. Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Tele Pickups; 4. Finally, a new top-tier of American-made Teles emerged in this redesign in the form of the American Elite lineup (formerly American Deluxe). Tonally, this cheap Tele is tailor-made for country twang. Is Keith Richards overrated guitar player? Whether youre into blues, rock, country, jazz or even metal the Player Telecaster HH wont disappoint you. Above all, the Telecaster Standard is the everymans Tele. For more information, please see our The latter is fuelled by the combination of a Modern C profile neck and 9.5" radius fingerboard, not to mention 22 medium jumbo frets. The design mimicked that of Gibson Les Paul and included a Stratocaster headstock. The Fender Telecaster's straightforward, streamlined, and simple design has been at the forefront of guitar music since the early 1950s. Yes, a lot of love went into creating this reissue. The new Fender American Performer series, for example, made it possible to get a Tele built in Corona, California for a price that was previously reserved for offshore builds. Students and younger players love these guitars because you get a great instrument at a great price. Lindy Fralin Blues Special Tele Pickups; 2. It features a hard-tail, string-through-body bridge that gives it the feel and response of a Tele Deluxe or Custom rather than the original ashtray-style Tele bridge. Oops, looks like you forgot something. We should point out that the American Performer Telecaster is also available in a traditional, two single coil layout at the same price. January 6, 2022 Simon Morgan 8 min read If you've been curious about the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster, you're probably not alone. If youre a country nut at heart then theres nothing wrong with a classic Telecaster Standard. Summer Sale Now On: Shop Our Epic Deals! As a result, the Telecaster Deluxe was born. With its long-standing and iconic heritage in music of all genres, its no surprise that the Telecaster design has lent itself to a long list of signature models, being the instrument of choice for musicians of all stripes. "I played a blues scale as fast as I could and he said, 'That's not fast, you're not a good guitarist'" John Frusciante on his depressing encounter with a guitar teacher, and his teenage heroes Steve Vai and Adrian Belew. After dominating the worlds of rock and country the Telecaster was more than ready to storm the gates of Metal and Punk. The main bulk of the signature Telecaster comes from the juxtaposition of pickup configuration. Cropper was also known to have spotted with an Esquire. Driven by frontman John Baizley and lead guitarist Gina Gleason's distinctively grinding riffage - a combination of the unconventional-for-metal Rickenbacker and Telecaster tonal pairing - the track is already winning some serious acclaim for Gleason's astonishing guitar solo.. How to Choose the Right Guitar String Gauges? What music genres are Telecasters good for? The semi-hollow body adds a really resonant voice to it, giving you a great mix of sound that goes between traditional Tele and semi-hollow sounds. It was the model that birthed the company and would go onto influence the design for the Precision Bass and the Stratocaster. Good topic! Similarly, legends like Keith Richards and Jimmy Page have famously sported the Standard from the 60s onwards. Jim Root of Slipknot is the guitarist who is renowned for defining the Tele as a heavy guitar. The truth is that Fender Player Telecaster HH offers an absolutely amazing quality. When talking about Teles the next thought after rock n roll is country music. The tone switch acts as an S-1 switch too, so you can instantly access single-coil tones for that more traditional Fender sound, adding an extra layer of versatility. The Madcat had all the same features as a Standard but included a maple body instead of ash or alder. They also believe it robs the instrument of some of its sustain. A thicker neck is generally considered better for traditional playing, giving you more feel for bends and vibrato. Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links. Thanks for checking out my blog - hopefully you found what you were looking for! Emerging out of building Hawaiian style lap steels, Leo Fender wanted to try producing a solid body electric guitar. Coming with a raft of premium appointments for relatively little money, these powerhouse instruments are designed firmly with a younger, gigging player in mind, whilst understanding they wont necessarily have thousands to drop on a great instrument. These include period-correct barrel-style saddles, neck profiles, and carefully crafted Pure Vintage pickups tailored to the iconic sounds of each decade. Jan 21, 2007 #3 You can actually get some really good distortion sounds out of a tele, only you need a good amp. Explore the best Telecasters in the world right now The fit and finish is spot-on, and the only gripe we can level is down to personal preference: players who rest their hand on the bridge while picking may wish to swap out those bent-steel saddles for standard blocks, although tonehounds will cite an increased treble snap as a reason for the originals to stay put. The Boss himself Bruce Springsteen isnt caught dead without a beautiful Telecaster Standard strapped around his neck. As you can see, Fender Player Telecaster HH is a truly amazing electric guitar. If you wanted, you could actually order an Esquire with a neck pickup for an extra $15. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. How do I lower the action on my Telecaster? Broaden your sonic horizons without breaking the bank! Summing up, the main cons of that guitar are: But overall, the advantages of Fender Player Telecaster HH outweigh the disadvantages of that guitar. The Fender American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline sees a much-loved return for this happy accident of a guitar. When thinking of Tele tone, there are three major elements that influence that core sound. Probably not even close to complete. Note also that Made in Japan signifies productions commissioned by Fender at the FugiGen Gakki factory beginning in 1982, while Crafted in Japan indicates a shift to those built by Tokai and Dyna Gakki factories starting in the early 90s. These instruments achieve a classic yet modern feel with features that include custom Yosemite pickups and jumbo frets, as well as throwback appointments like vintage-inspired tuning machines and large font headstocks. But they use really expensive . Due to the number of different ranges of Teles available, they vary in price too and its worth knowing the difference between these guitars. Maybe thats because the Telecaster has a reputation for attracting players of technical renown. Squire's Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster is an affordable option for vintage guitar lovers. As well as Custom and Deluxe versions, alongside many others, the Fender Tele is doing just as well today as it ever was. Keith Richards famously modded his 50s Telecaster by replacing the stock neck pickup with a P.A.F humbucker. The axes Filter-Tron style pickups are responsible for the Cabronitas unique mid-range response. Jason Isbell is a Grammy-winning king of Americana. Whereas Stratocasters are good choices for blues and independent or alternative music sounds. All rights reserved. Stones and Led Zeppelin built the foundation of modern rock with Teles. The C profile neck has a 7.25" fingerboard radius and 21 vintage frets. The guitar an alder body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck with a maple fretboard. Fender has added a middle pickup and a five-way pickup selector switch to allow this Tele to produce Strat-like "in-between" tones. It's just a shame there isn't a black with maple 'board option like Keef's Read the full Fender American Original '70s Telecaster Custom review. Some of these features would be transformed by the time Fender started mass-producing their guitar in 1950. Position 2 activates the neck pickup with the volume and tone controls engaged. I had the pleasure to test it out and I was really surprised of how good it actually was. The project Tele was also out of whack, with its bridge pickup measuring 4/64 and 2/64 (treble and bass) and neck measuring 2/64 and 4/64. The Tele is the exact opposite. We also encourage you to listen to the band called The Coastline. While Telecaster pickups look the same on the surface, there is a surprising variety of tonal and EQ characteristics across the catalog. Squier is Fender's lower-end brand, but don't let the price tag fool you into thinking these guitars aren't excellently playable instruments. Please check the fields highlighted in red. In todays article, Im going to take a very close look on that unique model. Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. In the Jazz world, cats like Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and even the great Les Paul himself were been spotted with Telecasters! Fender Player Telecaster HH is made in Mexico. This is a full-fat Tele with the best of everything money can buy, giving you the classic Tele sound with the finest in modern playability and build quality. That's what the Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster is all about. The Telecaster owns country music. The Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified Teles are some of the best value for money instruments on the market. 7. Teles are pretty good for country and western and traditional rock, such as rolling stones etc, etc. One thing the original guitars did well was tone and this reboot captures that with a great sounding bridge single coil and an accurate remake of the iconic Fender Wide-Range humbucker, the latter perfected by pickup guru Tim Shaw. If you want it to sound close to those hallowed early models, then look for something with 50s-style pickups. The Telecaster's scale length . 8 Best Gig Bags For Telecasters [2022 GUIDE]. It just wouldnt be a Tele if it didnt have that twangy attack! Metalheads are used to "hot"-output muddy sounding humbuckers, and those are awful for songwriting because the only thing those pickups can do well are power chords and soloing. Many big-name country-pop idols like Brad Paisley and Kenney Chesney are fiends for a classic Telecaster Standard. . #3. The '70s Telecaster Custom is one of the sexiest electric guitars ever made. The Madcat had all the same features as a Standard but included a maple body instead of ash or alder. Paisley even boasts his own signature model with a custom-wound 64 Tele bridge pickup for extra western flair. They are punchy, bitey and iconically 'Tele' - with just enough personality of their own to remind you that you're playing a signature instrument. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 1. MusicRadar's got your back Here, an elite crew of luthiers release specialized creations and made-to-order inspirational pieces. Given this span, there is almost an endless diversity of form and function in this series. At some point in their lives, every guitar player begins to lust after a Telecaster. How much does it cost to string a guitar? Both versions look awesome! JBE Pickups Danny Gatton T-Style; 5. Players like a neck humbucker on a Tele for a number of reasons. Most 50s spec Teles will likely have fairly chunky neck profiles. 2 probywan1337 4 yr. ago Teles work for anything imo. On the more soulful side of funk, artists like Steve Cropper of Otis Reddings band used the Telecaster to add a dash of attitude to the Soul music of the 70s. The best Telecasters are amongst the most versatile guitars in the world, finding fans in country, metal, and everything in between. In the neck position, largely thanks to the metal cover, you get a very warm and dark sound guitar tone. Seymour Duncan Jerry Donahue Lead Tele Pickup; 3. Up until now, all Esquires, Broadcasters, Nocasters, and Telecasters were produced in a Blonde (now called Butterscotch) finish with a black pickguard. In the bridge position, you have a very bright-sounding pickup, enhanced by the steel or brass baseplate its attached to. What do you think about this Telecaster? In fact, the idea of modding a Tele is no foreign concept in the world of the country with many players opting for different body woods and pickup modifications. Roli Banned Joined Jun 28, 2005 Posts 2,458 Location Hungary No, but it's a good bass guitar and cello. How do I set up my Telecaster guitar properly? It features some recognizable components from the real model, from the vintage tuners to the black pickguard. If you're all about the classic two single-coil Tele layout then you'll be more than happy here. These are often highly modified versions of the US or Mex models and youll normally find them with cool upgrades like dual humbucker pickups or bigsbys. That means you retain Tele clarity when you want to soften the Tele's trademark top end. But in 1965 things changed dramatically. Just like Fender but Bigsby got there first. Telecasters are very versatile Over the past decades, Telecaster got the reputation for being the perfect guitar for country music. If music and guitar has never been part of your interests then this site may change your view and be a music lover. We do know the Broadcaster was only made up until March 1951, as. Other line-blurring Tele types offer mid-century modern flare (the Meteora) or explore what might have been if the Telecaster was sucked into a black hole with other Fender classics (the Parallel Universe series). These guitars seek to take all the best design features of Fender's past and deliver them at an unbeatable price point. Driven by two Player Plus Noiseless single coil pickups, you get plenty of Tele twang, minus any extraneous noise. In recent times, virtuoso Julian Lage delivers his fretboard wizardry on a 54 Blackguard. Many include features like shielded pickup and electronics cavities in alder bodies, string-through-body saddle styles, sealed tuners, and a variety of heights and materials for fret choices. They are comfortable to play and they are loved by all-level players. you! Cookie Notice The Player is arguably the Tele that offers the best value for money, in our opinion. Instead, it features a fixed treble roll-off, which was aimed at jazz players. Of course, it all depends on what kind of music you want to play and how much are you willing to spend. The Fender Telecaster had an interesting start in life, and actually had a couple of different names before they settled on what its known as today. Amazingly, the first mass-produced solid-body guitar hasnt really changed across 70 years.