In the market for a Tele: What should I go for?

[kiramdear]

Is there any love for the Aerodyne Telecaster? This is a model that I want to try.

[antipodean]

Is there any love for the Aerodyne Telecaster? This is a model that I want to try.

Funny, I thought the '69 Blue Flower or Pink Paisley would be more your style, Kira!

But to be serious for a minute - Jake - if you don't like beefy necks, a '52 RI is not going to do it for you... the sad thing is, to me they are the definitive Tele. A '62 RI is a great thing too, but I feel the slab rosewood board absorbs some of the wonderful nasty brightness that an early '50s tele exudes. You can learn to live with the neck - I have, and I'm a wimp.

Most importantly - buy used and save your dollars - Teles are virtually indestructible, so you won't get a dog but you will save a packet. To my eye the second-hand US RIs seem to be really good value at the moment - just a shade more than the CIJ/MIJ ones, courtesy of the strong Yen.

[JakeK]

But to be serious for a minute - Jake - if you don't like beefy necks, a '52 RI is not going to do it for you... the sad thing is, to me they are the definitive Tele.

I don't like beefy necks per say, but if the tone of the guitar is too good to be beaten, then I can live with it.

[collin]

Easiest choice in the world, in my book-----mid 80's MIJ Fender reissues.

Best teles for the buck out there, including AVRI and the modern Japanese reissues. I love the double bound '62 RIs and these play and sound better stock than most any teles i've touched, and are close to vintage feel/sound IMO.

Here's my '85 :

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l390 ... C_0089.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l390 ... C_0087.jpg

[antipodean]

Beautiful Tele Collin - the '80s and early '90s MIJ RIs are fabulous guitars. Sadly they have gone up quite a bit in price of late - you used to be able to pick these up for less than $500 - they're now around $800 to $1000 for the top spec models, and they are way harder to find than they were.... A more recent CIJ will set you back about $200 to $300 less.

[antipodean]

But to be serious for a minute - Jake - if you don't like beefy necks, a '52 RI is not going to do it for you... the sad thing is, to me they are the definitive Tele.

I don't like beefy necks per say, but if the tone of the guitar is too good to be beaten, then I can live with it.

That's the spirit Jake!

[sloop_john_b]

But to be serious for a minute - Jake - if you don't like beefy necks, a '52 RI is not going to do it for you... the sad thing is, to me they are the definitive Tele.

I don't like beefy necks per say, but if the tone of the guitar is too good to be beaten, then I can live with it.

That's the spirit Jake!

Right! Anybody who is serious wouldn't have any trouble finding their way around a neck that might be out of theIr usual comfort zone - as long as the tone makes it worthwhile. Good on ya Jake. Neck size should never be the deciding factor in a guitar purchase (tell that to the bass guys!) IMO, YMMV, etc.

About two months ago I was really hot for a mid 80's Esquire Custom MIJ (bound body), and came SO close to having an awesome one. Those 80's MIJ's are the ****! Totally forgot about those.

That being said, I do agree that the '52 is the quintessential Tele and is my fave of all.

[scott_s]

If anything, the 52RI's I've tried had thinner necks than my Ric 330. I believe the 52RI is about 0.82" thick at the 1st fret -- my 330 is about 0.92" at its thinnest point. And I wouldn't change it for the world.

- Scott

[kiramdear]

Is there any love for the Aerodyne Telecaster? This is a model that I want to try.

Funny, I thought the '69 Blue Flower or Pink Paisley would be more your style, Kira!

Either one of those would please my inner flower child.

Thanks for a nice thread. You're helping me melt the ice with Telecasters. From what I gather it's not hard to put one together from parts and have a made-to-order just for one's self.

Do the neck widths vary at all in different years?

[scott_s]

Is there any love for the Aerodyne Telecaster? This is a model that I want to try.

Funny, I thought the '69 Blue Flower or Pink Paisley would be more your style, Kira!

Either one of those would please my inner flower child.

Thanks for a nice thread. You're helping me melt the ice with Telecasters. From what I gather it's not hard to put one together from parts and have a made-to-order just for one's self.

Do the neck widths vary at all in different years?

Kira, Fender offered four different widths (measured at the nut, as they were all the same at the heel), and they were indicated by a letter on the neck code:

A=1.5", B=1.625", C=1.75", D=1.875", B being the most common (and the same as our beloved Ricks!)

Hope this helps!
- Scott

[kiramdear]

Thanks, Scott! Just what I wanted to know. I must have only ever played Cs and Ds before.

[scotty]

Easiest choice in the world, in my book-----mid 80's MIJ Fender reissues.

Best teles for the buck out there, including AVRI and the modern Japanese reissues. I love the double bound '62 RIs and these play and sound better stock than most any teles i've touched, and are close to vintage feel/sound IMO.

Here's my '85 :

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l390 ... C_0089.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l390 ... C_0087.jpg

+1 Ewwww love your Tele Colin I bought mine in 85 and its got a few battle scars with the 25 years its been with me.A great sounding Tele.

[JakeK]

I found a few Teles that I really have my eye on:

This one is the one that appeals the most to me and is easily in my budget...I could buy it right now if I wanted to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %26otn%3D2

I also saw a Japanese versions of the '52, the '62 standard and the '62 double-bound, they were a little out of my budget. You can find them here: http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/

[sloop_john_b]

White one looks nice Jake, with HSC too!

[JakeK]

Just bought the white '60s RI. Can't wait!