Looking for a Telecaster / lead guitar that looks a bit different

[soulglow]

I'm building up a little guitar collection here in the project studio, trying to cover a wide variety of sounds. The one thing I'm missing is a distinct Telecaster sound. The problem is, I think it's among the ugliest guitars ever made: I just really don't like the style (don't flame me - it's just, like, my opinion, man.)

Is there anything else that can cover that sonic territory authoritatively? I wouldn't even mind something with the overall Tele body shape, as long as it didn't have the standard Tele pickguard and had a more interesting finish...although something that didn't look like it at all would be even better.


Edit: This one is heading in the right direction: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Tele72TMNAT

[travtele615]

To my ears the '72 thinline reissue or authentic does not capture "the" Tele sound.. You want to sound like a tele you pretty much need to get a Tele.

It's a bit like saying you want a VW bug to drive like a Ferrari.

[stephent28]

G&L ASAT has a better looking tele IMHO I have one in a royal blue with all black hardware that looks pretty slick.

Another option is to find a used Warrior throwback 55 or something new like this one.

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[soulglow]

Originally Posted by travtele615

To my ears the '72 thinline reissue or authentic does not capture "the" Tele sound.. You want to sound like a tele you pretty much need to get a Tele.

It's a bit like saying you want a VW bug to drive like a Ferrari.

I was only going for aesthetics with that example...you're right, the humbuckers kind of defeat the purpose.

[travtele615]

The G&L ASAT is a terrific guitar and especially on the used market you can find some really good deals.

If you get the version with the larger soap bar size pickups it's pretty close to the tele sound but to my ears not quite as stinging as a traditional tele bridge P/U. For lack of a better term "glassy" might be a decent description of their sound.

[initialsBB]

If you like strats, just get a blank strat body routed with tele routings by someone like warmoth.

like this When Craft Becomes Art: The Destroy All Guitars Telstar - Premier Guitar

[Johnny Favorite]

Get a Tele. I bet you`ll find it sexy in a month, tops.

[soulglow]

Originally Posted by Johnny Favorite

Get a Tele. I bet you`ll find it sexy in a month, tops.

Fair enough. I wasn't a big Strat fan either but mine really grew on me (though it took more like 10 years and a pickguard change, .)

So, assuming I'm in MIM budget territory, does it have to be a Standard or will something like the Blackout give me the same tone?

[bash]

Pricey but sexy.

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[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Johnny Favorite

Get a Tele. I bet you`ll find it sexy in a month, tops.

It took me almost 30 years to learn to like Telecasters...but I came around. Eventually everyone does. It's almost nefarious.

[soulglow]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I went out tonight and picked up one of these: Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus Electric Guitar: Shop Guitars & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend.

It seemed like a good way to ease into the world of Tele's, with the Strat-style saddles, and the pickguard that blends into the finish (in real life this guitar is almost black.) And it happens to play like a much more expensive guitar. I like it already...

[Ragan]

The Telecaster Deluxe[/URL] is, I think, one of the sexiest looking Telecasters. It comes stock with "wide range" humbuckers. It sounds thicker than the classic Tele sound, but it still does sound like a Tele. I dug mine out and put P90s in it, which works very well

Fender Classic Series '72 Telecaster Deluxe Electric Guitar: Shop Guitars & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[Ragan]

Oh nevermind. You already bought one. Enjoy!

[soulglow]

Anyone have a suggestion for a new bridge bucker for this guitar? The one in it is pretty decent, but a little less "Tele" than I had hoped for even with the coil split. I have a Strat and an LP so those sounds are already covered. I need that hot twang!

[bash]

Which coil remains active when reduced to single? If it's not the one closest the bridge, perhaps inverting the pickup will get you closer to the signature Tele spank.

[softwareguy]

One famous tele player ended up going in THIS direction for something a little different:



Just something to consider!

[soulglow]

Originally Posted by softwareguy

One famous tele player ended up going in THIS direction for something a little different:


Just something to consider!

Well along those lines I personally prefer the Wangcaster (which I won't link here, haha.)