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https://www.amp-global.com/product/1997-fender-custom-shop-60-double-bound-custom-telecaster-sunburst-case/
I also have one CS Fender, purchased pre-owned, before they ceased production. There has never been an AVRI/Originals near equivalent to the '51 NoCaster. I tried altering an AVRI '52 Telecaster to serve as a back-up. That never quite delivered. Better to accept the '52 for what it is. Similar but different.
What exact qualities are you seeking in your prospective purchase? Low weight, period-authentic neck profile, specific pickup variant(s)?
Have you ever tried a Fender Brown's Canyon / Old Growth Redwood Telecaster?
It's a vicious circle though. People buy the relics because that is all that is available. I bought a CS Heavy Relic Tele a few years ago but I would far rather have had a nice shiny new one, or a Closet Classic. The problem was that the ridiculous over the top relic was all that was in the shop.
If retailers bought in a decent selection of NOS or Closet Classic finishes, then I'm sure they would sell more of them.
Don't get me started on the Gibson Slim Taper neck. There are two or 3 Gibsons I might have bought if they had had a better neck profile.
Part of the issue is the vast range of options available - In that I buy it in fiesta red you want surf green - I buy sonic blue you want sunburst - I buy with a 60's oval C neck profile you want large 65C - As such, ref the 2/3/4 I've had in stock at any one time, then I get the comments 'I would have brought that if it had have got XYZ pick-ups' - So a no win situation for us all
Yet funnily enough, I've had better success with NOS finished Custom Deluxe or Postmodern models, than with vintage replicas - Maybe with vintage models, then many expect it to be aged, as per all the genuine vintage market - The only vintage replica that sells well with an NOS finish is the 50's Strat in fiesta red as per a Hank Marvin spec'd model
I know you want to hear than American Originals are as good as cs guitars so go for that, but they really aren’t. The best production line was the now discontinued 64 tele. Genuinely great. Pretty much all lightweight (I’ve seen examples under 7lbs). People will tell you the custom shop is all marketing etc, but those guys know how to put a guitar together. I’m not sure if it’s woods or pickups, but they use superior quality materials from frets to woods to wire, they know how to put the things together and they’re right. Buy an original and you’ll have a great guitar, but the fact you asked means you’ll want to step up at some stage. Hang on for the right cs and you’ll have it for life.
BTW, Mark has this one that may be worth a look. https://www.guitars4you.co.uk/guitars/5487-fender-custom-shop-1966-custom-heavy-relic-tele-sunburst-used2016/
This is an absolute bargain at Peach with great pickups etc http://www.peachguitars.com/guitars/electric-guitars/fender-custom-shop-62-tele-custom-journeyman-relic-black.htm
You can get a Musikraft neck to your spec (so still with the right headstock shape) then get MJT to do the rest, including all finishing. They'll do worn or pretty-much-new-looking however you like, then you can put whatever pickups you like in it. Then you can get someone more local to put it together if you're not confident doing that yourself.
It's slightly scary the first time you do it, but the Jazzmaster I got from that route cost me 1k and is genuinely one of the best guitars I've ever played. @Bucket 's dad had similar success with a La Cabronita build a few year back, and I know many others on here have done just as well.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/135060/stunning-job-by-sc-relics/p2
I built an expensive partscaster strat with all premium components (Callaham, fender USA, bare knuckle, musikraft). It’s now sold for parts and I’m lucky if I’ve got half the value back.
These guitars are more than the sum of their parts.
In terms of Telecaster Style guitars, I have had numerous CS's, as well as T's from LSL, Haar, Rocketfire, Rebel Relic, Suhr, Anderson, King Bee, Crinson, and some I have probably forgotten, and the LSL's were right up there with having the best tone and feel. Although I probably haven;t played really recent ones, so maybe they aren't quite as good anymore.