Strat or Tele?

well i'm most likely not going to buy a used guitar this time unless I find an absolute gem. I'll scour the Guitar Center used racks and maybe put out the word on Craigslist when the time comes. I haven't fully raised the funds just yet (i have a pending sale tomorrow that will pretty much put me there) and beings i've got my birthday coming up, the big 2-6, my wife has hinted at a gift card to help out...so I'll be buying one in the next month for sure. but I think this time I want to go with a new one. just feeling that.

Now because my budget is small, I'm kind of stuck with the Standard series. so i dont have many colors to choose from...i din't like the arctic white. So i've got down to maybe black, sunburst, or candy apple red. maybe a deep blue but i dont think so. right now I'm leaning to sunburst or red. I'll have to see them in person.

now, if I play my cards right, I might be able to afford the natural Ash Tele. with that nice red tortoiseshell pickguard. i think that would be a good guitar to shoot for. I already have a sunburst guitar (gretsch double jet). my strat is wine red, btw. so when it's all said and done I will have weeded out my guitar collection significantly. and improved it, IMO. I'll end up with my Martin Dx1, Gretsch Electromatic Double Jet, Fender Strat, and Fender Tele and a Fender Jazz Bass. Not bad I think.

By 'Standard' series, are you saying MIM?
In that price range?

Well, The Lite Ash would be close to that (I've played one - They are nice guitars),
and I've heard nice things about the Nashville Tele as well.

You might also look into the Classic Series - MIM Re-issue types.
I've played the 72Thinline as well as the 72 Deluxe.... They both have the twin Fender Type Humbucker Pups;
I didn't really care for either guitar's sound myself.
Though if you consider the 72 Deluxe - I played a few of those, and the Walnut Stained one had a much heavier body on it than did the solid Black ones.
I would expect that the Tri-Burst would have a heavy body as well.

There's also a 50's Esquire, 50's Tele & 60's Tele....
And
A 69 Thinline in Ash or Mahogany Body (depending on color).

Now, one of the all time best Tele's I've ever had the pleasure of hearing was a MIJ 69 Tele Thinline RI in natural Mahogany....
So that may be worth looking into.

Ken

edit:
And The New Year usually sees some nice price cuts on last years models....
Not sure if GC does that, but the smaller stores usually do....
I've seen Classic Series Strats reduced down to 350 bucks!
So keep your eye out :wink:

Ok let's change this up a little. The budget just increased!!!!! I managed to get quite a bit more money for some of the stuff I sold than I had expected, plus I know i have some cash coming for the birthday, that I'm in a different realm here. Before, I could have afforded the Fender Standard Tele w/ hot pickups for $450. Now, I'm looking at different guitars.

I have 4 guitars I can afford...2 Fender Teles and 2 Gibson Les Pauls. Again, just for fun so I can see what you all think...which would you get? Not which should I get, but which would you get?

1) Fender Classic 60s Tele in white
2) Fender Highway 1 Tele in honey blonde
3) Gibson Les Paul Jr. in sunburst
4) Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Maple Top in sunburst

I thought about a faded SG but i'm not really interested in the SG guitars. Just didn't like them last time I played one.

it hurts my head to think about this. ultimately it will be decided when I sit down and play them all but in the meantime im interested to hear your thoughts on it.

I'd go with the Highway 1 Tele in honey blonde. 8)

Dan

Tele Highway 1

Instead of a Gibson LP Jr or Studio, have you considered an Epiphone Les Paul Standard (or Slash Signature Model)? I played an Epiphone LP Standard the other day and it sounded and felt great.

Personally, I'd take a Tele over a Les Paul ....
I've not played any of the guitars mentioned though,
so I can't really comment on them.

I like the looks of the White 60's best - 'specially with a 'green' guard and rosewood board 8)

I know you said no used guitars, though I'm guessing that you now have about enough for a used MIA Tele....?
Consider?

Ken

i may consider a used one. i'm not interested in Epi LPs though. just not a fan of the Epi line, except the Masterbilt acoustics, I like those a lot. and the casino. so far though I'm really liking the specs of the highway one. it seems that that will end up being the one unless i play that gibson and cant put it down hahahaa..

i may consider a used one. i'm not interested in Epi LPs though. just not a fan of the Epi line, except the Masterbilt acoustics, I like those a lot. and the casino. so far though I'm really liking the specs of the highway one. it seems that that will end up being the one unless i play that gibson and cant put it down hahahaa..

Epi LP's aren't bad, you know - the QC people at EPI seem to have really got their act together. Try 'em before you knock 'em.... I've had a couple of Epis I enjoyed playing. Not as much as my Tele, obviously - that'll always be #1. But good guitars, and very good value for money, IMHO.

But do yourself a favour, and PLEASE try a few Teles - I'm sure you'll find one that you'll like. Anyway, whatever you decide on, I hope you pick a good 'un....

:D :D :D

Vic

If I had to have one or the other I would pick the Strat. Its a good thing I have one of each :mrgreen:

I love my LP, but it's one of those nasty 'ol Epi's.

We've had a ton of polls and questions like this over the years. Always good fun. I did grab ahold of a PRS Single Cut that was about $500 or so a couple years ago just to try out an amp. I was really taken back by the quality I preceived out of it as it's the bottom of the line for that maker. (be like getting the least expensive Mercedes) It's pretty much an LP.

Anyhow, to answer your question directly, the Gibson Studio for me please, and yes. I'd like fries with that.

Or, for the price of a studio, get a really decent mid-grade Tele AND a mid-grade LP. Play 'em both for a while and let us know which one wins. :lol: :lol:

1) Fender Classic 60s Tele in white
2) Fender Highway 1 Tele in honey blonde
3) Gibson Les Paul Jr. in sunburst
4) Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Maple Top in sunburst

I thought about a faded SG but i'm not really interested in the SG guitars. Just didn't like them last time I played one.

IF you can find one, I'd highly recommend you add a Squier Classic Vibe 50's Tele to that list. It'll probably play as well or better than those 4 you have listed.

HighWay 1 no Gibsons Tele all the way.

And try to find that classic vibes 50's Tele the moonrider was talking about.

P.S. if you find one I'd like to know what it was like.