My First Telecaster...Guitar Thread..Post Up Yours
#1
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Upper NC
Posts: 2,117

Post up your tele story or any guitar or gear to share.
My first electric was an Epiphone Les Paul with dual humbuckers and using a Fender Mustang II modeling amp. Haven't really played it much at all these past 3 years.
Looking for simpler. I think I was just overwhelmed with this combo in the beginning, but I've come a long way.
I really tend to gravitate towards the more clean electric sound which tends to push me back towards acoustics.
So I decided I was in the market for a telecaster and treated myself to a new 2017 MIM Fender Standard. I also
went the extra mile and bought my first tube amp, a Fender Blues Junior IV.
They really sound great together and the Les Paul really growls though this new amp. The tele needs some work so I dropped it off yesterday to get a setup.

My first electric was an Epiphone Les Paul with dual humbuckers and using a Fender Mustang II modeling amp. Haven't really played it much at all these past 3 years.
Looking for simpler. I think I was just overwhelmed with this combo in the beginning, but I've come a long way.
I really tend to gravitate towards the more clean electric sound which tends to push me back towards acoustics.
So I decided I was in the market for a telecaster and treated myself to a new 2017 MIM Fender Standard. I also
went the extra mile and bought my first tube amp, a Fender Blues Junior IV.
They really sound great together and the Les Paul really growls though this new amp. The tele needs some work so I dropped it off yesterday to get a setup.


Last edited by polarred21; 01-05-2019 at 01:51 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Danvers, MA
Posts: 658

Very nice. Don't laugh but I'm probably juuuuuuust a little older than you lol, when I bought my first guitar in 1978 and it was a 77 Ibanez Les Paul copy (post lawsuit version) and I still have it! I was inspired by my older brother who bought a brand new 1975 Telecaster and also still has it. Nothing like the twang on a Telecaster but personally I'm a Strat guy and can't stop collection them. And of all my amps from Marshal stacks to Mesa Boogies to Peaveys, my favorite is my small, Fender Champion 30 lol! It just has the best sound out of all of them. Sometimes simpler is better.
#6

I ended up with an odd affinity for Tele's. Early on, I just had trouble adjusting to the neck style but as my playing became more comfortable, the neck shape became less of an issue. You can easily guess which ones I've built in this photo. The Alverez Dana and the Samick on the right are interesting hybrids. I now play mostly tenor guitar and primarily ones I've built including building my own pickups.

#8
Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsyltucky
Posts: 7,062

Very nice. Don't laugh but I'm probably juuuuuuust a little older than you lol, when I bought my first guitar in 1978 and it was a 77 Ibanez Les Paul copy (post lawsuit version) and I still have it! I was inspired by my older brother who bought a brand new 1975 Telecaster and also still has it. Nothing like the twang on a Telecaster but personally I'm a Strat guy and can't stop collection them. And of all my amps from Marshal stacks to Mesa Boogies to Peaveys, my favorite is my small, Fender Champion 30 lol! It just has the best sound out of all of them. Sometimes simpler is better.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Savannah
Posts: 19

I have a few Teles. Here are two cheap and easy modifications to consider in the future. The first is to replace the jack with an Electrosocket when the cup jack starts to go (they always do!). Under $10, 2 screws, and 2 solder joints. The second is to turn the control plate around, and swap the volume and tone controls. That way, you can more easily do volume swells, and are less likely to accidentally bump the switch while strumming.
#12
Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsyltucky
Posts: 7,062

Really nice. The MIM Fenders have a great bang for the buck.
I have a few Teles. Here are two cheap and easy modifications to consider in the future. The first is to replace the jack with an Electrosocket when the cup jack starts to go (they always do!). Under $10, 2 screws, and 2 solder joints. The second is to turn the control plate around, and swap the volume and tone controls. That way, you can more easily do volume swells, and are less likely to accidentally bump the switch while strumming.
I have a few Teles. Here are two cheap and easy modifications to consider in the future. The first is to replace the jack with an Electrosocket when the cup jack starts to go (they always do!). Under $10, 2 screws, and 2 solder joints. The second is to turn the control plate around, and swap the volume and tone controls. That way, you can more easily do volume swells, and are less likely to accidentally bump the switch while strumming.
If you're ever in the mood to get even more tones out of your tele you can replace the bridge pickup with a humbucker that lets you do coil splits. There are companies that make them that fit directly in the stock tele bridge pickup slot. This allows you to get that same tele tone when the coils are split, but if you want a high output bridge pickup for doing hard rock stuff, you can kick it into humbucker mode. Just adds another dimension to a tele to make it even more versitile.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Long Island
Posts: 524

Got 1 of ea.
Eppi Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Silver Burst
And an amazing Fender Telecaster Select Limited Edition with a Carved Maple Top in Amber Flame
I enjoy using my Line 6 Spyder Jam 75


Eppi Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Silver Burst
And an amazing Fender Telecaster Select Limited Edition with a Carved Maple Top in Amber Flame
I enjoy using my Line 6 Spyder Jam 75
Last edited by Mata Peje; 12-16-2018 at 01:32 PM.
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ft. Myers, Fl
Posts: 28

Got 1 of ea.
Eppi Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Silver Burst
And an amazing Fender Telecaster Select Limited Edition with a Carved Maple Top in Amber Flame
I enjoy using my Line 6 Spyder Jam 75
Attachment 1092259
Attachment 1092260
Attachment 1092261
Eppi Les Paul Custom Limited Edition Silver Burst
And an amazing Fender Telecaster Select Limited Edition with a Carved Maple Top in Amber Flame
I enjoy using my Line 6 Spyder Jam 75
Attachment 1092259
Attachment 1092260
Attachment 1092261
#15
Admirals Club 

Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 40

I bought one in a pawnshop maybe 15 years ago - it was a MIM but the electronics were line none I have ever seen. Humbucker neck and blue Fender lace sensor bridge, 5 way selector, regular volume/tone knobs. Sounded great and could play just about any style of music with it. I sold it a number or years ago to help fund a PRS, I have never seen anything similar since. Kind of wish I kept it but the PRS is a far better guitar.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Danvers, MA
Posts: 658

I bought one in a pawnshop maybe 15 years ago - it was a MIM but the electronics were line none I have ever seen. Humbucker neck and blue Fender lace sensor bridge, 5 way selector, regular volume/tone knobs. Sounded great and could play just about any style of music with it. I sold it a number or years ago to help fund a PRS, I have never seen anything similar since. Kind of wish I kept it but the PRS is a far better guitar.
Which one did you get? The Eagle is also incredible. What sound. Love the pearl or abalone hawks and falcons fretboard inlays and even the shape, weight and feel is outstanding in every aspect.
I was very close to getting this one since the guy is my idol. Never pulled the plug on it, though. Maybe someday I'll add it to the collection when my wife is looking the other way lmfao!

#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Southeast Connecticut
Posts: 135

Nice axe...I have a Tele on my list, as I'm a Fender guy and previously had all Strats. Just sold my older MIM sunburst Strat with a rosewood neck.
I'm craving a Tele with a humbucker at the neck....harder to find those.
I'm craving a Tele with a humbucker at the neck....harder to find those.
#19
Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsyltucky
Posts: 7,062

I have two teles with neck humbuckers. One is an original '72 Thinline, and the other is a Suhr Alt T pro. I have found the neck humbuckers on a tele to be a little too dark sounding. The Suhr Alt T pro has a coil tap for both humbuckers and I found myself only using the single coil when I'm playing the neck pickup.
#20
Admirals Club 

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,567

Very nice, congratulations! I've GOT A MIM Strat, and I have to say I'm not a fan, I much prefer my Epi LP standard Pro and the double humbuckers. I accept delivery of my new Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 tomorrow, can't wait o play it through my Ibanez tube screamer amp. If I can figure out how to post photos I'll add some here.