Can we talk Tele’s?

You should check out the Nashville Tellies, since you've played strats a lot.
All that you listed are good choices, just play them all and decide, or you could just build one exactly like you want.
Don't overlook the classic vibe tellies either, they are very good with a bunch of choices.. The G&L bluesboy looks like a very cool guitar, but I've never played one.
I've got several tellies, a couple of Mexican ones, a Japanese reissue blue paisley, partscaster ones and upgraded squire ones. I have different favorites on different days. I have a partscaster that I play the most these days, just because it's the lightest.

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I’ve long heard of the notorious intuition issues associated with the 3 brass saddles, and want to avoid anything not compensated. Is that something to be concerned over or not?

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No.

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Good, because that was causing me to look into more designated saddle designs and I didn’t really want to pull away from the more traditional brass saddle design.

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What I meant was, you can change it out easily, for something you like better, if you want. I'm OK with it myself, I have the brass saddles on 3 of my tellies. Some other people change them out. I saw a set up the other day, that still had the 3 brass( I'm assuming) saddles, but each string had an individual adjustment.

I've played G&L ASATs before, and they are great guitars, I've just never played one of the Bluesboy models.

I really love my American Standard. The difference in tone quality between it and the Nashville tele is like night and day.

The only thing I don’t like is that the body shape rubs where my arm likes to rest. A tummy cut would probably help that.

I’ll second the 50s vibe Squire. Take the money you save from what you listed and the sky is the limit in mods.

Except for the lack of a belly scoop it feels like every real Fender Tele I’ve ever picked up.

But again with the cash you save? Hand wound boutique pickups are possible. Swap the saddle to whatever moves you. Custom switch plate.

Have to like that neck though. I love mine. But it is all maple with a poly finish EVERYWHERE. if that’s not you thing then move it on down to what the others have suggested.

Compensated barrel saddles ...



My personal "contour Tele," side view ...

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And a Tele with anything other than two Telecaster or Tele-blueprint/footprint pickups is not a Telecaster. Period.

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Not to get far off topic, but that brings up a question. Does the shape of a guitar/bass or the pickup configuration make up what a guitar/bass is?

Is this still a Jazz bass?


Is this a Jazz bass?


Is this a tele?


Not saying anyone is right or wrong, just curious.

Take it for what it’s worth because I’m not a guitar savant, but I’ve got an American Standard strat and an American Deluxe tele with noiseless n3 singles. Both have maple necks. The tele is my favorite guitar I’ve ever owned. I pretty much strictly play it through a blues jr with Cannabis Rex and the tone is unreal. Sometimes I’ll put a ts808 in front of the amp but rarely. The American deluxe with the n3s has a pretty dramatic tone difference between pickups. The treble is super gritty and twangy. It distorts easily but keeps under control. The bridge gets really mellow and also really bluesy, and is similar to a lot of sounds I hear from Isbell and his band.

I love my strat too and it’s got a true strat tone, but I play the tele way more often. Like I said I’m no savant by any means and I’m not super good at guitar, but I’ve got both and I play the tele way more often. My thoughts are super subjective but I’d definitely recommend buying one regardless. Worst case scenario you just rounded out your Fender collection.

I have:

Mexi tele - SS setup. It’s a fender but a bit beat up so it’s more of a future project than anything I ever play right now, but nothing compared to my next two

American deluxe tele - made around 2014, SS setup, cutaway in the back of the body like a strat, locking tuners, can tap and get the two pups wired together. It’s an incredible guitar. Took me years to understand the power of that tele bridge pickup is probably capable of the nastiest tone the a guitar can have.

Fender American professional II Tele deluxe- this one still in production, HH setup that can tab to single coils. Same cutaway/contour in the back of the body, this seems to be what makes a tele a deluxe these days (I think the original use of the name was the SH setup that Keith Richards plays). I love this guitar. Was about to buy a strat in the same series, but I really needed some humbuckers. Played a few gibsons in that price range and they honestly feel like toys compared to fenders at the same price point. Had an epiphany to just get the tele (which I obviously love the body style) with the pup setup I was less familiar with but wanted access to. I’m currently playing this one daily. My buddy, who is an excellent player and could play professionally if he committed to it, wound up buying one a month ago after already buying a jazz master in the same line because he was jealous of my choice.

I looked at all of the Fender models you listed when I bought the last one I listed. Definitely thought about them but ultimately went with the professional II because it was on par with my American deluxe quality and feature-wise. While I love the features, I did this so mentally I wouldn’t consider one better than the other. Might sound like strange reasoning but I tend to only play one guitar at a time and wanted this one to get some time.

The professional 2 and American performer have gotten incredible reviews across the board. I will say that the contour in the back is so damn comfortable I never want to put it down. With you being a strat player, I would not ignore this seemingly small detail, as it will feel very familiar and help you pick it up more often. Of the models listed it looks like the jason isabell actually has that contour. You may als find HH setup gives enough versatility from the strat to spend time with it, but again, that single coil bridge in the tele is something every guitar player should have access to.

Lastly, I’m not a country picker at all. Sometimes I can get that feeling but I tend to be more classic rock and funk sounding (my playing is more chordal, I can rip pentatonics but I am a much better rhythm than lead player). These days I pretty much play whatever I hear so I like versatility.

I’d love to give you a definitive “go with this one”, but I struggled with the same little decisions as you when I bought my last one in august. I was set on the strat, then maybe a Gibson, and all the sudden I had the deluxe being shipped without playing it. One justification I can give related to this comment

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would like something relatively versatile without deviating too far from the Tele tone, or else, why would I get one in the first place.

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The HH tele will feel more like a strat than an SG or LP, but give you humbuckers for versatility. While not the same as true singles, you can tap to get singles in either position.

If it’s in your price range, go American. Great resale and craftsmanship is excellent. Mexicans these days get great reviews as well but the Americans compete with the very best guitars in production today and can be had at a great price point. I got mine from GC online and emailed to get 10-15% off listed price. Ordered from them just because of availability.


ETA: apparently the belly cut is not a small detail as everyone in this thread has mentioned it, including the guy that makes guitars for a living

My stable of Telecasters:

-‘52 Reissue with modern wiring for the neck pickup.
-MIM with replacement StewMac 3 barrel brass bridge.
-Another MIM with a StewMac brass replacement bridge.
-Nashville Tele with no changes.
-Squire Affinity Butterscotch/black guard with a StewMac bridge, no other changes.

The Squire after a fret polishing is a very nice instrument. Amazing for the price.

The Nashville is too heavy. I’ve been tempted to sell it, but it sure sounds good.

The ‘52 RI is just a sweet guitar. Very nice.

I picked up both of my MIM’s dirt cheap used.

I love the way a Tele looks. I love how they sound. See my tagline.

Spank the plank y’all.

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the shameless self-promotion ... here's me noodling on the couch with the pickup to which KB refers and the newest

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So what all is that PU capable of? I see EVH and of course think Van Halen and Eruption. Or Got Me Going.

Are they versatile. You said “noodling” which leads me to believe they are. And can be quiet “couch appropriate” sounding. Of course if your living is guitar rehab/repair. Yours and my idea of couch music may differ. Lol