Telecaster recommendations

fasty

I'm looking at buying a Telecaster from Thomann.de and I'm torn between a Blonde piece of awesome or a three tone sunburst version either from the US or a Japanese model

Advice would be most welcome. It HAS TO BE a Tele, I love the sound and the look. I'm wondering if the cheaper Japanese model might be the best choice. Even though I'm dedicated to constant practice, I've only been playing a while so even if I can afford the pricier models, they might be wasted on me.

fish-head

It's gotta be the 52 Reissue! But if you go for the jap model, which are indeed great guitars, you might want to consider a pickup upgrade. The stock ones are a little weedy.

Bod1

Buy on e-bay, far more bang for the buck. Alternatively go for a G&L ASAT. Like buying a custom shop tele at highway 1 prices.

punchdrunk

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fender/avts/62tele/se06825/se06825.php

fasty

That's a lovely guitar, but I don't want to get something from the US, after VAT and Duty it won't be *that* cheap.

punchdrunk

it would work out about the same as the 52 ri inc vat and taxes

fasty

Would it?

The price in Euro is 1,044.25. What are your figures for shipping, and import taxes etc?

Bod1

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-CIJ-Fender-Japan-52-RIS-TELECASTER-NAT-ASH-USA-PU_W0QQitemZ120259718980QQihZ002QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this Japanese model is excellent value.

Seziertisch

http://www.kuhloguitars.de/english/e-guitars.htm

When I lived in Germany I had some work done by this guy on my '52 reissue. If I was buying a Tele again I would definitely buy from him. His own builds are at least as good at the 52 it not a bit better. The price is very fair as well.

Johnny Storm

Slightly OT but - Thomann sell Made In Japan Fenders now?

Alanstrainor

Johnny Storm wrote: »

Slightly OT but - Thomann sell Made In Japan Fenders now?

I was just thinking the same thing!

ball ox

i got this one http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/21464
cheapest I could find In Europe

punchdrunk

fasty wrote: »

Would it?

The price in Euro is 1,044.25. What are your figures for shipping, and import taxes etc?

figures are adding 160 euro shipping,then multiplying the lot by 1.25 to cover taxes works out at 1.5k

honestly i dont think it would even cost 160 to ship

Eoin Madsen

Last I checked, the Japanese-made models were as good or better than the equivalent US ones, despite the disparity in price. I played one recently which seemed to confirm that general opinion to me anyway. And personally I'd replace the stock pickups in any model, US or Japanese.

Glassheart

I've got this:
http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_60_telecaster_bigsby_rw_3ts.htm

I think it's pretty close to the Jap Tele you are looking at but you will definitely need a pickup upgrade as someone else said.

punk_one82

I bought the Japanese '62 reissue and I must admit,it's incredible.
I say go for it!

Krsnik87

Little bit off topic but anyone know the difference between the series and the standard US tele?

fasty

I ended up getting an American Deluxe 3 tone sunburst in the end after trying a few models out. It arrived from Thomann yesterday and sounds and looks pretty great so far, although the amp I'm using is a bit dodgy and I haven't had a chance to spend much time with it as I'm moving at the moment.

Overall, the finish is awesome, and the intonation seems spot on although the action could be raised a tiny bit to suit my preference.

It still sounds like a Tele, despite using more modern hardware and I think I'll be enjoying it for a long, long, time.

Dord

Congrats!:pac:

I just bought a Tele Deluxe a few days ago, lovin' it so far. I made a thread about it below with some pictures.

Any pics of your new Tele?

fasty

I just have one pic on my laptop and it's not great but I'll post it for now. The rest are on my camera at home.

Dord

Very nice, I love the binding. :cool: