Telecaster - a Poor mans '52?

Enda08

Hi all -

I'm thinking about getting a telecaster for gigging and tried these back to back the other day:
Squier Classic 50's Vibe Tele (€250)
Fender Std MIM Tele (€350)
Fender American Tele (€800)
Fender 52 reissue Tele (€1200)
All played fine. The 2 expensive ones sounded fine. The cheap ones had poor electrics and I couldn't hear much of the timber (though they both sound ok unplugged to me). If i put new PUPs, pots & bridge in an MIM wouldn't it's wood definition be as transparent & clear as the '52 for half the price? Or do you think the wood in a '52 is worth €600 more than the wood in an MIM? Sorry if ye've been asked this 1000 times. Any links or comments would be appreciated.

TIA, Enda

Eoin Madsen

The wood is definitely not worth so much more between those models. If there's a difference, it wouldn't be the wood so much as the construction. I have a Mex Strat from about 8 years back. There's something a bit funky about the neck that would need a job (not worth the cost) to fix. I'm sure they're not all bad but I gather that it's a bit more of a crapshoot in general. Tbh, I've been unimpressed by any American Standard I've tried as well though. I'd replace the electronics in one of those just as quickly.

I think from both firsthand experience and the word on the street (eh... internet) that the Japanese teles are as well made if not better than the equivalent Americans. And they cost about the same as a Mexican. I'd suggest going down that road.

Seziertisch

There are no standard models out there that don't benefit from new pickups etc. I think a Japanese model should be fine. There are also quite a few US Standards available second hand on adverts at the mo. One of those and a set of good replacement pups, and you could have a rockin' axe for not too much cash.

That said, I recently went Tele shopping with a mate of mine and we found that there was a big difference in sound between ash and alder body US Teles, with the ash sounding a lot better.

punchdrunk

the squier vintage vibe you mentioned just got great reviews in guitar magazine,with a nice set of bare knuckles it'd be amazing!

Ravelleman

I think the Baja Telecaster is a fine alternative to the 52. The switching is totally different though. But that's a good thing. The stock switch on the 52 is not to my tastes anyway.

Dord

Apparently that Classic Vibe Tele is VERRRRY nice. The body is made from pine which is one of the most resonant woods for guitar. If you check over on TDPRI.com people were paying good money for Pine bodies to be built before this came along. They love that guitar over there. Serious Tele nuts!

Enda08

Thanks all. There's some amount of data on that TDPRI.com site alright & they do seem to be getting a bit over excited about them Classic Vibe Teles. The one I tried didn't strike me as anything that special so I don't think I'd pass much remarks on everything I'd read there! I think I'll see can I find a s/h Jap or American as recommended here & see how I get on. I'm also looking at a s/h G&L tribute at humble money which might get me going or at least do me in the house till I get my head around the bigger guns. Thanks again. Enda08