Help me find the perfect Tele.

MaxA867

In the market for a new Telecaster to become my weekend workhorse. I’ve been using my PRS hollowbody piezo for the past 4 years in my main band (standard Dad rock, indie, britpop etc) but recently started playing my USA deluxe Tele and found the extra cut and bite sits really nicely in the mix. I don’t entirely love the USA deluxe though, had it for 15 years and never really felt like it was a ‘real’ Tele - S1 switching, 6 saddle bridge, noiseless pickups seem to lose something, so I’m after something different and a bit more vintage voiced with a bit more personality. 

Must haves - rosewood board, vintage style bridge. Preference for SS /SH config, double binding is great, but nothing too modern or boutiquey, it’s going to have a busy, sweaty life. Ideally in the £800-1500 bracket, and I’d almost certainly be looking second-hand. 

I’ve considered the American Pro II, American Pro Classic and American Original (although they are hard to find and seem to sell in seconds) series. Plenty of options across those ranges. I’d be looking for something early 60’s inspired as opposed to the 50’s Nocaster/Blackguard or 70’s deluxe style teles. 

So, has anyone got any experience of the aforementioned models in terms of build quality/tone/consistency across the range? And is there anything else I should take a look at such as Japanese/MIM models or any gems from Fender’s back catalogue I should investigate? Feel free to throw your spiciest tele hot-takes and opinions my way, all wisdom considered. Cheers 

nero1701

I've an Am Pro and it's seen off custom shop guitars, its honestly one of the best guitars I've owned.

Chuffola

Any of the Vintera / Vintera II Roadworns are excellent Teles. Definitely worth trying out if you can find them locally. Vintage radius - which can be marmite - but with a good fret level mine plays with a reasonably low action and is fantastic. If you don't like the relic thing, the non-reliced Vinteras are also excellent (just don't feel as "played in")

I found the Professional to be a very modern sounding Tele (didn't like it too much). Have played a couple of American Originals which were lovely, but I'm not sure any better than the Vinteras given the price differential.

UnclePsychosis

I'd find whatever there was in the "Classic Series" that takes your fancy. This was one of the Mexican ranges 15ish years ago and in my experience (I have two) they are excellent instruments that will come in under budget.

Not to be confused with "classic player series" or "American classic" models. Fenders names SUCK

JohnPerry

Look at the MJT website and build your own. It's not hard. You can spec it up exactly as you want, with quality parts, and as long as you get a good tech to tweak it a little and set it up at the end you should get a brilliant Tele within that budget.

MaxA867

nero1701 said:

I've an Am Pro and it's seen off custom shop guitars, its honestly one of the best guitars I've owned.

Interesting! Do like the cut down bridge and the 4 way mod on the Am Pro 2’s, but slightly concerned about the v-mod pickups, are they tele-ish enough? 

Sporky

G&L Bluesboy? Six saddles but brass, not Strat style. 

MaxA867

Chuffola said:

Any of the Vintera / Vintera II Roadworns are excellent Teles. Definitely worth trying out if you can find them locally. Vintage radius - which can be marmite - but with a good fret level mine plays with a reasonably low action and is fantastic. If you don't like the relic thing, the non-reliced Vinteras are also excellent (just don't feel as "played in")

I found the Professional to be a very modern sounding Tele (didn't like it too much). Have played a couple of American Originals which were lovely, but I'm not sure any better than the Vinteras given the price differential.

Oh that’s a good shout, the Burgundy Mist Metallic Road Worns are very nice looking. Not tried a 7.25 radius on a Tele, only on a Strat and it doesn’t bother me too much. Definitely feels a little different. 

Interesting about the professionals - not keen on anything modern voiced - have a US deluxe and a Suhr Alt T for that. 

MaxA867

UnclePsychosis said:

I'd find whatever there was in the "Classic Series" that takes your fancy. This was one of the Mexican ranges 15ish years ago and in my experience (I have two) they are excellent instruments that will come in under budget.

Not to be confused with "classic player series" or "American classic" models. Fenders names SUCK

Ah yeh, thanks - just looking now and they did do a Classic 60’s Tele which might be worth looking at. I had a beautiful Sonic Blue Strat from the same range that I foolishly sold. Cracking guitar. 

MaxA867

JohnPerry said:

Look at the MJT website and build your own. It's not hard. You can spec it up exactly as you want, with quality parts, and as long as you get a good tech to tweak it a little and set it up at the end you should get a brilliant Tele within that budget.

Yeah lovely stuff on the MJT site, but want to avoid the Partscaster route - I have 2 partscaster Teles and they just don’t do it for me and don’t currently have the time to invest in them to make them right. There always seems to be some gremlin! Need something gig ready! 

Paul_C

Vintera II 60s ? 

£850 or so new or mine for £650 (good as new) 

MaxA867

Paul_C said:

Vintera II 60s ? 

£850 or so new or mine for £650 (good as new) 

Oohh. Nice! I have a matching Strat. That is tempting 

Schnozz

Mike Smith

JJ72

Sounds like the Fender Jason Isbell tele would be right up your street

chris78

My band does the same type of standard “yeah we’re middle aged” covers music. I’ve played in a two guitars band and the tele helped me cut through as the other guy used a lester. Now I’m sole guitarist, I need pickups with a bit more balls.
Id probably go with whatever feels the best to you and then change the pickups to something 50s flavoured. The am pro ii is a great gigging guitar though as well and the pickups have enough punch to do the job for you.

TheMarlin

I’m a huge fan of the Reverend Gristlemaster. 

A brilliant tele, tonally and ergonomically. 

I’ve just bought a second one, this time with P90’s and Bigsby. 

Best tele’s I’ve played in years. 

I wasn’t an immediate fan, it took me a while to bond with the neck (I usually prefer chunkier necks, this one is flatter, slimmer, maybe a touch wider), but once they slotted on, it became the guitar I reached for every time. 

A firm favourite 

Fifty9

How about a 60s MIJ custom with or without bigsby

Jonathangus

MaxA867 said:

I don’t entirely love the USA deluxe though, had it for 15 years and never really felt like it was a ‘real’ Tele - S1 switching, 6 saddle bridge, noiseless pickups seem to lose something, so I’m after something different and a bit more vintage voiced with a bit more personality. 

If you like the way the guitar plays, all of those things are easily changed.

lovestrat74

As above, source the parts you want and build your own - or give the parts to a tech to put it together for you. This way you get to fulfill all your requirements in one guitar

EDIT:- I've never played a "classic" 60s tele, but you might find going from a 10" radius to 7.25" with vintage frets quite different to the PRS.

SteveRobinson

Paul_C said:

Vintera II 60s ? 

£850 or so new or mine for £650 (good as new) 

And you'll have plenty of budget left to change pickups should you feel the need.

fretmeister

MaxA867 said:

Paul_C said:

Vintera II 60s ? 

£850 or so new or mine for £650 (good as new) 

Oohh. Nice! I have a matching Strat. That is tempting 

@MaxA867 ;In case you are unaware - Paul_C is a luthier and that guitar will play beautifully. I have a tele that was once owned by him and it's the best playing guitar I have by a long way. He also looks after my other instruments when they need work and has done for about 20 years.