A few years ago I was fortunate enough to get a great deal on a Lite Ash Tele - 2004 I think. I'd been after a Tele for ages and this was the right price, good condition etc.
The guitar is great and sounds superb. I changed the original brass saddles (still got them) for 6 brass saddles for improved intonation and have had it set up by a pro.
I really like the guitar but there is just something about it, that I can't put my finger on, that I don't gel with.
Part of me wants to sell it but the other part of me thinks I'll regret it if I do and I can't afford to just buy another without selling.
First of all, any ideas what it'd be worth? Also by advice on what I should do? Anyone else been in a similar situation?
Comments
Shipped to a guy in Norway just before Christmas. Not missed it!
I've owned four over the years - and always quite enjoyed them without ever thinking 'this is my favourite guitar - I couldn't bear to be without it'. So ultimately I've moved every one on.
Unless a guitar you are less than in love with serves a very specific sonic purpose that makes it an essential tool - I'm of the view that you may as well get rid.
I do not get the brass saddle thing - actually I detest them. Although the difference isn't vast, they always introduce a nasty, grating upper-mid 'whang' type of overtone which really irritates me.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
You need to put your finger on that thing.
I get that with some guitars as well. Traded an SG on here last month. Already thinking I should have one in my collection...doh! lol
EDIT: I think it depends what you are looking for out of guitars. I really like having guitars. I suppose I might be a bit of a collector...on a very small scale (no pun intended). If the Tele is not the sound you need and you are playing for a living or even just playing in a serious gigging band then I suppose you should keep a look out for a guitar you 'need' instead, then trade or sale the Tele then. Chances are if you sell just now you will either buy another guitar that does not really float your boat.....or worse....the misses will squander the money away lol
Otherwise I'd try to narrow down exactly what it is you don't like about it so you don't make the same mistake again.
My suggestion, if you're not gelling with it, that'll be like an earworm each time you play it. Move it on, grab something else and forget about it. Maybe even look at a different tele.
What I liked was the tone, light weight, big strap buttons, etc.
What I found I struggled with was the all maple fingerboard (always been a dark wood man to date) and the slightly wide/flat fingerboard.
It's been sort of for sale for 3 years because it's a nice guitar and I'm not bothered. I replaced it with an AVRI52 tele, again love the tone/vibe and the better fretboard radius suits me, I'm still not sure about all maple fingerboards though. Since it is just one of several live guitars I've not been too bothered about it and in context it sounds brilliant, but I suspect one day I shall get an early 60s version with RW fingerboard.
What I'm saying is that there are quite a number of Teles with the fender brand before you even go off looking for other makers. As ever within model ranges there are the odd dog and brilliant example so be vigilant. If I only had one live guitar I would probably consider a 'nashville' tele with the 3 PU configuration.
Neither should happen on a Tele that's properly set up, strung and tuned - they're one of the most stable guitars there is.
Assuming you're stringing it properly I would guess there's a problem with the nut.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein