5 Reasons Why I Went From A Strat To A Tele

Today we look at 5 reasons why I switched from #stratocasters to #telecasters
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[@adrian_V99]

I chose a Strat but the Tele chose me. The Tele is a jealous mistress. Her voice is haunting and other-worldly.

[@glenlapwing8468]

Absolutely correct John, exactly my feelings about tele’s. Been playing 52 years, started with a tele & ended with a tele!

[@davidharvey8812]

I think Leo got it right the first time 👍🏼

[@waynetykocki3964]

Definitely did Telecaster is simple and simply bullet proof

[@lazvt8469]

Me too...over 50 years....mostly humbuckers...now...it's all about Teles...acquired my 8th last week, an LSL TBone lefty. Rediscovered them about 1 year ago. Strats...decent...Tele...magic, especially when equipped with Lollar Special Ts.

[@dalleyrick]

I like both. Not sure it has to be one or the other.

[@trwsandford]

Unless you live in a van down by the river... and space is at an extreme premium... you don't! I have a very nice Squire strat that I'll pick up without hesitation from time to time, and friends that come over grab it straight away... when its just me though, 90% of the time I'll grab the Tele, or the 335.

[@Tonetwisters]

THANK YOU. They each have their place in the sonic spectrum, and to say "I play this over that," makes me wonder what people are using them for. As I tell people, "The song calls the guitar." (if you are playing out or doing studio work.) Those "Heartbreaker" guys had a warehouse full of them, and they weren't just Fenders! And I just play at home after 59 years, and I would love to own and play a Telecaster; just hard to find one that isn't buried in plastic ...that I can afford.

[@poundtacos4006]

All guitars matter.

[@clanwaddell5628]

@@trwsandford a telecaster is much tougher than other guitars because of how simple it is. Good bridge, good tuners, stable neck, everything combined to make it stay in tune better than other guitars and if you want to record that saves a lot of time. I'd say if you wanted the top three for getting all the sounds, a tele, a strat and then either/or a Les Paul and a semi hollow body like ES 335 or a Casino. Tele is versatile but sometimes if you are recording you want a different guitar for stereo recording with 2 guitars panned. Each guitar is special but tele is what is probably most used on records.

[@stevebrown5253]

I started on Strats, then got a Tele... the Tele broke me of the habit of keeping the tone knob at “10”. I also prefer Teles. Great video, thanks!

[@RandyKeelingJr]

I find this funny. Those five reasons, in reverse, are basically the reason I got rid of my Tele. I didn't like the sounds, found it painful to play (even after being set up by different luthiers), uncomfortable to hold (the body kept biting into my arm), I couldn't get any sound out of it that I couldn't get out of my Strat and it didn't have a trem arm. But that is the joy of this instrument, we can all play the same basic object but with our own unique tweaks to it.

[@davidosbiston9265]

And u cant get positions 2 and 4 which is all I use

[@Brokenmono]

I have tried to get into Teles... I think they are the closest Fender ever got to a Gibson with a fixed bridge etc. But strats keep dragging me back, they seem to make my playing more fluid somehow.

[@robertbrown2728]

@@davidosbiston9265 I'm on neither side in this debate as I have Strats and Teles. However I do have a Tele which will do positions 2 and 4 very well. It is a 1998 Nashville Tele with a Tex-Mex Strat pickup in the middle. It was made with a 5-position Strat type switch but I have rewired it so you can can use the bridge and neck together as well as as the 5 standard Strat combinations. The tone knob is a pull out switch which engages the middle pickup when pulled out and the bridge and neck combination when pushed in. I found the wiring diagram on the web here: www.google.com/search?q=Strat+o+tele+Telecaster+wiring&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiLoMKJmPXrAhUNPxQKHS2YDI8Q2-cCegQIABAC&oq=Strat+o+tele+Telecaster+wiring&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQDDoECB4QClCqaFiUa2C6eWgAcAB4AIABfIgB4gGSAQMwLjKYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=O_VlX8uWFI3-UK2wsvgI&bih=560&biw=360&client=ms-android-samsung&prmd=isvn#imgrc=nzpF4vVnVT17gM

[@RandallHayter]

I'd say this is the reason there are more than one type of guitar - you can get one you like! I have a Stratocaster (first electric I ever bought), but I like playing my 335 better. Never even picked up a telecaster I've liked, but who knows what the future might bring.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Broken Mono The Les Paul was shelved for many years. Gibson didn’t think anyone would actually buy a solid body guitar until the Tele came out. Gibson is still fucking clueless

[@russk1971]

I'm a fan of both. They have different sounds and cause me to approach each differently

[@tonymarinelli7304]

The Tele is pure perfection and it can do anything

[@nigelvonshredman]

I agree, particularly around ‘feel’. A tele just reproduces the sound I hear in my head better. The strat’s sponginess deducts some of the feel I’m putting in to the notes

[@danfango1333]

A Tele sounds like a Tele. A Strat sounds like a Strat. They're both great. I wouldn't be without either. I occasionally use my Les Paul, which is nice for a change. It growls like no other guitar. All different flavours. If I was skint l'd keep my best Tele above all - so I know where you're coming from John. It just feels right.

[@MindDezign]

I got rid of my tele as it cut my fore arm circulation during sit down practicing. I've played strats for years. I still think Tele and Gibson's look very cool. But a Strat is just like a good pair of jeans. Always comfortable and can do almost every thing , I need!

[@prodigal71]

I used to play a Gibson Custom Shop Explorer in '90...then I bought a Tele to bang around on at home & leave my others at the rehearsal space. It became my favorite very quickly. I've been playing Teles for 30 years now...and I play HEAVY rock & it holds up perfectly. A perfect guitar

[@DanDjurdjevicplus]

Love this. Awesome video, as always.

[@GlobalMiles]

I agree 100%. My favorite guitar was the pink paisley Burton reissue. Great for heavy VH/Alice tones with tapped, stacked single coil, great for Police/clean tones, U2 echo, and of course...vintage Zep/Who. Always inspired me. Loved it.

[@dmoore0079]

The tele bridge pickup is enough reason to own one, but I also love the beefy neck profile - so comfy when playing chords. I like strats too, but the tele just feels like home to me.

[@cornwasher]

Terrific evaluation and comparison of the two guitars. Thank you!

[@guenterbortz5957]

Thank you for finding words I'm looking for a long time to explain my preference for Teles to my buddies in the UK! Stay safe ☮️

[@mattbrillhart2922]

#1 reason for me is the knob placement. On a Strat, I’m always turning the volume down while playing. I don’t consider that I have super sloppy style, it’s just that it’s placement is not conducive to my playing style. The Tele control design is just perfect for me.

[@iwct]

Matt Brillhart completely the opposite for me, as I like to “violin” the volume control with my pinky, which I learnt after seeing Rory Gallagher do it. Each to their own though, otherwise it would be a boring world.

[@xlp3t3r]

Matt Brillhart I thought this only happened to me!

[@tomquinn7560]

I took the knob off. Always hitting it when strumming close to the bridge.

[@coolbro6969]

totally

[@docamosroxie8686]

Best "little used" tele mod is the flip the volume plate and control knobs!

[@kaickprogrock]

The strat bridge sacrifice tone....nothing better than the tele hardtail tone :D

[@adrian_V99]

Solder tone knob to bridge and play alone. Wonderful tones.

[@MusicbyLou]

Another fun and informative video and I learned a new word! 🤠

[@gregtank311]

Well done, I am in your camp and you expressed your passion very well! I do like the Stratocaster, it is an amazing “contraption” that many people learn/ enjoy playing. For me I blocked the trem on all three I own. When I move to my tele I just love the sound, the tone! The bridge, all bright and “twangy” the middle toned down twang and full, finally on to the neck for the mellower full clear sound for blues and jazz. To each his/her own, but I do LOVE my telecaster for its simplicity and tone as it sits comfortably on my lap!

[@andykenny5674]

I just made a Tele to recreate one that I had to sell as a starving student... I’ve got a swanky Strat, but I always seem to grab the Tele. For me, the point you made about it being very robust really hits home - I love how you can feel it resonate against your body and it really does make you dig in and express yourself. For me though, it boils down to the fact that my homemade Tele has got music in it, and that’s everything that guitar playing should be. It’s an intangible connection.

[@johnallen2771]

To me, the tone and looks of a guitar are the most important. You will find Telecasters that feel right to you and you will find Stratocasters that feel right. You could expand that concept to cover all guitars, not just Fenders. Each guitar is different in it's tone. You can generalize about tones but you won't know for sure until you play it. I like the Telecaster, too, for some of the reasons you mentioned. But I've had a lot of good sessions with a Stratocaster. IMO, Gibson doesn't come anywhere close to what a Fender sounds like. Fender has a "pop" when you play it.

[@stephanvenner2939]

I have several Telecasters and two Strats. I played them over years but what always annoyed me was that they went out of tune when I used the tremolo bar. I'm back to my Telecasters, I bought me two Player Series and the only thing that annoys me now is that me and my Band can't play live enough because of Corona.

[@waynetykocki3964]

I’ve a player series strat and I’m not over impressed always rattling even after a pro set up! Telecaster time seems able to cover just about most everything, although I love my DOT (335) and Casino.

[@planeguy95]

Went through the same process. Got a Tele player recently and absolutely love it

[@chrishyde1216]

That all makes a lot of sense. Could also add that the controls on a Tele are easier to grab and use, and I prefer the simplicity. Leo gave us both Teles and Strats - what a gift.

[@thomasberinati3380]

I just put a loaded fender Vintera 60’s pickguard in a strat . Neck and middle have “the” strat sound . The bridge pickup sounds nearly identical to my pure vintage tele bridge pickup. I think it may now be my favorite strat.

[@robchrystal]

Was a Strat Player all my life ( brought up on daily doses of Ritchie & Made In Japan ) however made the move to a Tele a few years ago - Fender Professional Tele - and now the Strat never gets picked up. A Tele can do everything. Kris @ Thomann does some great vids on Teles as well. Keep up the great vids John 👍

[@maekong2010]

You’re preaching to the choir, brother. It’s all about feel, and what gives you a woody when you open that case. For me, it’s only ever been a telecaster. Cheers. New Subscriber.

[@ROLEPLAYA64]

I've played strats and strat-style guitars for almost 40 years. I play a strat because I have to fight it a bit, which really encourages my creativity. I find a LP much more comfortable, but lifeless, a tele generally more stable, but.... there's something in the soul of a strat that just works for me. Having said that I currently play a Nick Johnston signiture by Schecter, which has a 14" radius, and a humbucker in the bridge (I do agree the bridge pickup in a strat is the weakest link... I use positions 2-5 (1-4?), and the humbucker with a little edge of tone rolled off in 1(5). mind you, breaking a string at a gig with a floating trem sounds about as good as a bag of cats being neutered :) (ironically my back up is an old squier tele which is reliable as all hell, rain or shine) .I usually have my trems blocked off (the nick Johnston is a two point bridge, and seems crazy stable so I haven't done that yet.). I think at this point I'll always be a strat guy, but I think it was Steve Cropper who said the tele "was a grown up guitarists guitar". :)

[@crowhaven200]

Wellllll!!!! I love both, and my tremolo that floats. Interesting thoughts you have there. SO send me all your strats...

[@__Anton__]

Never wanted a Tele until last year. Now I love it. Totally agree about feel of a fixed bridge and the tautness of strings......Still love the Strat though........Why choose, have both!

[@davidstensaas1471]

Wow, this is a treasure trove of comments. I appreciate you, John, and though I didn't learn anything I didn't know already I found the discussion interesting because I'm going through the same transformation now. One thing unexpected was the comment about how the Tele's 90-degree body edge can be a plus by giving you a place to anchor your forearm. Playing my latest Tele a night or two before watching this video that actually occured to me - all of a sudden I realized this thing I had previously thought was a pain could actually be a benefit, but that you have to find the right spot where the arm isn't pushing down on the guitar (and your body) too much. After years of trying several Teles I finally found one I'm keeping - a Fender Player Series SS. It is simple and was cheap, but it sounds great with my setup (particularly with the Nobels OD pedal and a Soul Preacher compression pedal). My SSS Strat absoutely sounds less distinct/spongier though the same setup, but that isn't bad because it works well for a lot of songs. I have my Strat middle pickup off the tone control and use that a lot, and have the bridge PU on the tone control to tame the highs. I'm not ditching that Strat, but am now playing the Tele more. It sounds better in the mix for most of the rock stuff my cover band plays.

[@teledice1317]

I am in so agreement with you,, I am a huge Eric Clapton fan, yet I play mainly Tele's for the exact 5 reasons you state!!! I didn't think there was anyone else that felt the same way, ,thanks!

[@bealetm]

I should be a strat fan. My first big influence was Jimi Hendrix back when he was still alive. I just realised - he never befitted from the comfort contours on the start either!

[@sidneyadnopoz3427]

When I was looking to buy myself a new 6 string electric guitar of my own choosing for the first time, I found that the tele was the only one that I could just sit down and play on every setting and have it not feel like work. I played a lot of guitars that I liked over several months, but my red vintera tele just felt right.

[@ColinStuart]

That's why I've been playing Telecasters (or their ilk), for 55 years, using it for rock! Whenever I play or try a new guitar, I figure, well, it's nice, but it's not a Telecaster!

[@elecrocity]

I'm jealous of folks that like one or the other. I love them both so much. Would save me a lot of money and space to love just one.

[@bandit4915]

John...I couldn't agree with you more on all 5 of your observations. I started favoring my Tele a few years ago ...especially after replacing the pickups with "Fralins". I was initially attracted to the strat for that out of phase sound but quickly found that it did not cut through when playing live. This love affair changed recently when I bought a Les Paul Special TV Yellow and again installed "Fralin" P-90s . Sorry to say that it Out- Teles the Telecaster. BTW.....Great Video. Thanks

[@martinpearson2742]

This video could potentially open up the great 2020 debate. Strats every day of the week for me!! Each to there own tho.

[@mrbesserwisser7447]

Yes it would be really interesting to know wich guitar the presidential candidates prefer :-) My guess is Trump goes for the Telecaster and Biden for the Strat. What do you think?

[@iannicholls7476]

My guess is that The Donald is a B.C. Rich man!

[@martinpearson2742]

You're all wrong! He gets someone else to play for him !!

[@thomasandersson9605]

@@mrbesserwisser7447 For Biden I say ukulele. That's about as much his demented brain can handle.

[@maraviyoso8473]

Curiously, one of the thing I LOVE about the Strat is the bridge pickup. It's harsh, it's glass cutting, it's nasal and nothing sounds like it. And if your Strat doesn't come with a tone control dedicated to the bridge pickup, you can easily modify it to take off the brightness you may not want to or need to.

[@fallguy54]

This is the comment I was looking for. I love the Strat bridge sound as well.

[@bricknboxer]

I use all five positions and especially the bridge, both clean and with overdrive. I also wired the 2nd tone control to the bridge pu and sometimes roll off highs this way but more often I just roll down the volume to 8.5 or 9 for the amount of bite I want.

[@pomod]

Tele's are awesome. They're like a cricket bat with strings and sort of came into the world from fully evolved. You could likely throw one off a bridge and plug it in and it would still be in tune. I was mainly a tele player for 25 years. a tele with a broadcaster voiced bridge pickup screams. Still, playing my SG mainly now though (- -)v

[@RR-ho5ek]

I agree with everything except the lack of the middle pickup. I love the bridge, middle combination. I have a tele with a middle pickup and a 5 way switch, that I wired to get that combination, and the tele bridge, neck also, by omitting the middle position. I get the best of both.

[@Juzze1983]

I love both Tele and strat but I had a lot of issues with feedback and noise when playing live with a strat it seemed to be a problem at every gig because of the stage lights so a switched to Les Paul and tele

[@grahamcox5220]

I usually play a tele but have a Westfield strat copy (my first guitar, the one my dad bought me) and for ages I've looked at getting a better strat. Can never find one that doesn't feel like a compromise. The teles perfect in its simplicity and performance.

[@dk2428]

After all my strat mania...picked up a tele last year and was thoroughly impressed. Strat neck pickup, Bill Lawrence 5 way, gotoh bridge, compensated barrels...This thing sounds amazing, will outlive me and still be in tune. Def agree with all those points you made.

[@VoxMax-dl3yx]

Great video. I totally agree. Especially around usable tones. No one uses positions 2 and 4 anymore. Everyone sounds the same and boring. And yes! The hand slips. With the Telecaster, you are always be yourself.

[@fearlessfrankie6479]

I had a lot of guitars in my day! Probably close to 200 no lie!! ! I must have had at one point 8 Strat bodied at one time.Jacksons Charvel etc.One day I walked into a music store not even looking for anything really ! I saw this Tele! But some guy was playing it ! Didn't think anything of it !? I pass by the guy & watched him for a second ! He said to me! Dude you play guitar? I said yeah .You have to try this guitar!! I said OK.At that point I've been playing for over 28 years & NEVER played a Tele ever! After about 15 minutes! I couldn't put it down I REALLY LIKED THIS Tele!! I called my friend & asked her if it was a good deal! 2003 Fender USA Sunburst Tele Maple neck 22 frets for $750!. She said BUY IT!!!! I still have & never want to get rid of it!! Mind you I just bought an Elite Series & like that one as well! I can't believe I never played one over the years!

[@Samuli501]

I love the tones one can get out of a tele but I love the feel of a tunomatic bridge. Know of any Teles with tunomatic bridges?

[@motorbikeray]

The Telecaster is my favorite guitar design but when I wear it on a guitar strap while standing, the guitar sits awkward and uncomfortable against my body. I found through testing various guitar strap lengths that only when the Tele sits high on my chest (like the Beatles' George Harrison playing his Tele) does the Tele feel somewhat comfortable.

[@derekjohnson5720]

Strat with a little 59 in the bridge!!

[@ziggylayneable]

My first electric guitar was a 1980 USA Stratocaster. It had been bought for a friend of mine that was a little bit older than me and it was still in the box under his bed. I still play strats all the time but I absolutely love the neck pickup on telecasters. I thought nothing could beat the neck pick up on a strat. I was wrong.

[@poopoofuhqueue2389]

i run my tele through an EQD plumes on the neck pickup and it sounds so rich

[@werksnarks]

You nailed this video.

[@pmay222]

we fall in and out of love with different guitars throughout the years... u gotta have strat,tele,lez for whatever mood you are in...... strat is perfect for those 50's hank marvin subtle whammy tones...lez is great for rock and moody blues.... tele best for country indie etc.... i have all 3 models...not top dollar examples but perfect for the home twanger like most of us...oh and i have just bought an ernie ball music man axis... its the perfect blend of all 3... but...if you cant be..with the one you love....love the one your'e with...love the one your'e with..lol

[@lesshrubb203]

John, you have just echoed my experiences with the Strat and Tele, uncannily, word for word. It was like, listening to my own guitar experiences over the last 55 years exactly. I still have my Fender Stratocaster (Hank Marvin signature copy), which I would never ever part with, but true love of my (musical) life, is my Fender Telecaster. As a Classical and Folk guitar player, I’m used to 90 degree corners, so no comfort problems! But the Tele is me - if it sounds good, it’s because I played it well. The Tele doesn’t lie…

[@geertzwager1309]

You know the saying: When you play a Strat, you sound like you play a Strat. When you play a Telecaster, you sound like you.

[@lesshrubb203]

@@geertzwager1309 So True...

[@davelewis4215]

I didn’t realise how much I liked the Tele until I bought one.

[@cloudchaser3428]

Your HH Tele is gonna sound way different compared to a SS Tele. The two can't even be compared sonically. However, feel-wise you can compare the two.

[@cloudchaser3428]

The bridge of a strat being floating definitely does change the tone quite a bit compared to a Tele. I find Strats to sound a little less sharp and more soft than a Tele in my opinion. If the strings are held onto something secured by a few springs, it's gonna sound different to something that holds the strings solid to the body. Therefore it is not in your head...the bridge does make a huge difference. Play a hard tail Strat and it will sound almost exactly like a Tele.

[@laserlithuanian]

great video !!

[@stratplayr6997]

I have both but for me, the Strat is the more comfortable guitar to play. However, I do agree about the 2 & 4 pickup positions - I don't use those either. Right now, I actually find myself gravitating away from Fenders toward Gibsons, but will always have LP, Strat & Tele.

[@charles-ul9uo]

haven't heard it said better. very nice john.

[@mikenorman6697]

Overall - much prefer the Tele in sound and feel. But I do like the Strat neck and middle pick up positions. The Strat neck is a great sound in its own right. The middle pickup I think has got a little of the dynamics that a Tele has - so quite enjoy that position too. I am a Hendrix fan - and he made the Strat sound awesome - both using clean and overdriven tones....and I suppose that is what keeps my chasing the Strat dream even though I'm more of a Tele guy! Like the Red Hot Chili Peppers strat tone too!

[@avt3216]

We think exactly alike, point-for-point.

[@rashidrani2333]

I agree with all of the reasons you have listed...welcome to the tele club.

[@strummercash5601]

Whoa. First of your vids I’ve seen, only 30 seconds in, must subscribe. The sound of your voice is reason enough. I could listen to you reading your grocery list with rapt attention. Side note: currently own 3 Teles: 1 trad. w/ 2 pickups, a Nashville set-up w/ 3 pickups and tremolo, and one w/ P-90s. Growing old isn’t so bad when you can actually afford a few items you’ve coveted since pre-teen years. Thanks for this great content. Peace.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate 👍

[@thorpenator9148]

Love my American Telecaster. Upgraded to a Babicz bridge, total game changer.

[@valueofnothing2487]

I pretty much only use the neck pickup on a strat, and if I need more treble, I adjust the amp setting.

[@TheNewenglandboys]

Tele Ultra with that 10" - 14" neck radius! Sweet

[@michaelgreen5206]

Love this guitar, too.

[@Bob.W.]

Just bought a Telebucker - HH Tele. See how it goes. Belly cut. Probably needs tuners (it's a Squier.)

[@brentsutton5713]

Spot On !

[@Michael-qz4hz]

John, I think Lowell George changed the bridge pickup on his stratocaster to a telecaster bridge pickup. He must have preferred the sound.

[@voiceofexperience]

Love 'em both. I couldn't imagine being without either. Meanwhile, here is my essay entitled "Things I like about the Gibson Les Paul": The End.

[@joosboer1030]

Can’t say I agree with everything you said but I like your videos. Also I like both. Both cool guitars

[@m.loughlin1915]

For years, my go to guitar has been my Standard Tele, upgraded '62 American Vintage bridge p.u., and a Strat p.u. for neck position. Switch forward is neck p.u., middle position is bridge p.u., rear position is killswitch.

[@sonhouseisking]

I agree even though I appreciate the Strat for what it is. My first guitar was a Tele with a middle pickup in it, but when I got a Tele with two pickups, I really appreciated that middle position. Les Paul’s are my main guitars, and I like that there’s there two pickups, and that the bridge is attached to the body providing more sustain. Even though the top is arched, I feel like the 90° angle is something that feels more like a Tele. I’ve noticed that a lot of Gibson players tend to prefer to Tele’s to Strats when choosing a a Fender.

[@marcusharrigan6879]

The bridge pickup on a Tele can be an absolute beast while the middle position is the King of Quack.

[@jeffgerndt2813]

I agree with most of your comparisons! You should try a strat with tone pot connected to bridge pickup, it reduces harshness.

[@davidstensaas1471]

And even better is taking the middle pickup off the top tone control, which gives the 2 and 4 positions more spank and actually makes the neck-middle combo sound pretty good rather than muffled. But the middle pickup "wide open" is good for both rhythm and lead work and that is where my Strat switch usually resides.

[@dougarnold7955]

Honestly, this is the video I need. I've pondered this question for decades. I love Strats but I love the sound of Tele. The only thing it has such a stereotype as a country guitar and I like heavy rock/metal styles. Thanks. 8:26...a sponginess to a strat ... absolutely...that was the biggest hurdle I had when I first got one in the mid nineties. I played 'hard tail' bridge guitars from the time I was about 12 in '77 and it's a different tone and feel. 11:34...I think it's a tone difference because the stable bridge is firmly on the wood body. The strat is carved away and hollow underneath. Plus the springs of the spring trem change how the string rings.

[@nicholastaylor6455]

Im a tele guy, i just love the lookbof them, great video by the way, was it a good chippy, that you worked in?

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate. Not a bad little chippy... Still there too, 30 odd years later 👍

[@CodyCEngdahl]

I agree with all these points. I also don't like the tummy contour on a strat. It causes the neck to roll up towards me which causes unnecessary strain on my left wrist. I like how the tele lies flat against me like an acoustic. I still like the two and four positions on a strat and using the tremolo arm from time to time.

[@rockabillyrevolution]

I too had a strong reaction to the Carl Perkins gig you mention John but for me it was Gretsch guitars that I got into. Enjoyed your observations.

[@stephenlongo8185]

rockahillbillies music I also loved seeing that gig. Carl Perkins was playing a Peavey guitar, a T-60 possibly. It was a great show!

[@rockabillyrevolution]

@@stephenlongo8185 interesting yes I was wondering what kind of guitar Carl was playing. I liked the orange 6120 that George Harrison had which got me interested in the Gretsches. I've never had quite the same affinity with Fenders after playing Gretsches.

[@Raff654]

Interesting vid John . Many people moan about the comfort of a Tele ... whereas you find the opposite . Its the next guitar on my shopping list . So this has been very informative listening .. cheers bud 👍

[@makinganoise6028]

I currently have every style of popular guitar shape, some quite expensive, 40 years ago I had a Tele, didn't look at them again until bought a Fazley Tele with P90 in the neck, last year, now my main gigging guitar, just does the job, stays in tune, cuts through mix, light, for a singer rhythm player, it's perfect.

[@wizardofoz497]

Hey John love your vids.Just a suggestion maybe a hardtail strat with string through body may be right up your alley?

[@truescotsman4103]

I have a Les Paul and a strat and an entire stable full of custom guitars and super strats you name it. My fender and my Gibson are my favorites everything else is great I love them all

[@JudgmentalPinoy]

Came from strat, then tele, then back to strat. It's a cycle :D

[@bobboyle7629]

Couldn't agree more, John. I have 4 Telecasters and 1 Strat. I bring the Strat out every now and then at jam sessions but I quickly regret the choice and wish I had my Tele. As you say its very unforgiving and can be stiff to play but is my go-to since 1966. I started playing in 1965, Lol. I'm 74 years old and have always been a dedicated Tele player. I can play anything on it; it's the most versatile guitar on the planet, IMHO. thanks for the video. Subscribed.

[@hissinghed]

You can try swapping out the alnico bridge pickup on the Strat for a darker sounding ceramic pickup.

[@cristaud]

As my retirement present to myself after playing over the years - a fender Strat traded in for Carvin (and regretted it), a Profile Strat (which I sold - and regretted it), an Epiphone that is terrific for the price, but limited, a classic vibe Tele, great and pretty close but not a ‘pure’ Tele - I bought an American Pro Tele, then I thought sometimes I just want a contrast so my second choice was a Gibson Les Paul Tribute, but still something was gnawing away in my brain, and I finally caved in and yesterday ordered a G&L legacy tribute I.e. Strat type: I have not played any yet and all are waiting to be picked up when I move cities next week. So I will see if my instincts of order of preference were right - or if I change my mind, or if I can find a way to strap on all three at once and play across 18 strings while doing acrobatics.

[@immanuelkantholz9033]

you had me at bridge pickup (and lost me at comfort) :D

[@iannicholls7476]

I was never much of a Strat guy. I’ve had a few (American, Japanese and Mexican) and none of them were keepers. However I’ve got one now which was made to order with the neck profile and pickups etc. that I specified and it’s great. I’ve noticed that it’s the one I’m grabbing most of the time when I fancy a quick noodle. Also I took it along to band practice, last week, with my usual Music Man. I intended to use for the first two or three songs but ended up playing it continuously for 3 hours. My conclusion is that Strats vary and you do have find the one with your name on it. That said there is something very special about Telecasters. Every home should have one. Best thing, to be on the safe side, is have a Strat and a Tele. P.S. John, my Strat has a tortoiseshell scratchplate. You’d love it!

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

Yeah, by themselves with the bridge pickups engaged most fender strats could sound more harsh to me without giant eq changes. Lots of teles are still pretty versatile and I even think fender would have one that felt good in my hands especially by the time I might get one. Heck, there is even a lot of other teles and different tele like shaped guitars now from other companies.

[@kurtvonnegut1]

Picking up my battered Tele is like meeting a lovely old schoolmate that I haven't seen for 40 years. When a look at a Strat I think 'Not you again you knacker!' 😂

[@jbf16falcon]

I have 4 of one and 3 of the other and like the looks of the Strat best and practice with them, but when I go into the studio for the recorded track it’s played on the Tele 9 times out of 10 for sound.

[@southhams]

This mirrors my journey. Due all my heroes playing Strats I had to have one, bought many USA versions but never enjoyed playing them, I did try USA Teles but they were always weak sounding and tinny. Then I tried the JHS Vintage V58 Jerry Donahue and it was an epiphany, then I tried the V72 Custom thinline, bloody hell, wow. Sold all my USA Fender and Gibsons and play my Epis, Vintages and PRS. Expensive lesson learnt!!

[@BrandochGarage]

'Tis a fine essay indeed, Sir

[@mikemurdock7234]

I can relate to all of this. I too ran out and bought a Strat at a young age after hearing someone who blew me away. That someone was Stevie Ray Vaughan. I was mind blown by him and became obsessed with Strats. I played a Strat all through high school and college, and some years after. The part about the bridge pickup is 100% on the money. I had the same issue. No matter what effects I ran, or what amp I tried, I could not get the bridge pickup to sound like I wanted. It's so bright and piercing. I spent all my time on the Strat playing on the neck and middle pickup. So much is made of the unique 2 and 4 positions. That quacky out of phase tone, but I never used it much. I never found places where I wanted to use those sounds. But anyways, I played a Les Paul and later an ES-339 in between and liked those more than my Strat to the point I kinda gave up on Strats as a whole. It took me only a few minutes with a Tele to realize I had been playing the wrong guitar all that time. The bridge pickup is so much more useable. I can get tone out of all 3 positions on the Tele that I want to use, unlike the Strat. Even better from my personal experience; a Tele stacks up very well with a Les Paul type guitar in a mix. I had the same issue as you with the body of a Strat. Maybe it was cause I played a Les Paul for so long and found that comfortable, I never had an issue with the Tele not having a belly cut in the back. I never liked that weird curve in the corner of a Strat. I normally rest my arm there on any other guitar except the Strat. You're not the only one who finds the Tele body more comfortable. Leo Fender got it right the first time with the Tele design. Other than that, YES on having the selection switch away from reach! So many times I'd be strumming on a Strat and accidentally whack that switch. You're always going to be accidentally hitting the middle pickup just from playing.

[@josephliptak]

I feel the same about why I prefer the Telecaster over the Stratocaster. Both great instruments but the Tele fits me better for those reasons you just mentioned.

[@TheMNB]

The feel is likely due to the string through body. There is a solid feel to playing, fretting, bending on a Tele that is really good.

[@xunliu8696]

Have you tried a Lead ii? It sounds like in the middle of tele and strat

[@ParFive]

Strat with a humbucker in the bridge is still the most versatile combination, but teles have their own charms. I used to see Roy Buchanan on Wednesday nights in Washington DC, and well,that's a long story. But loved teles ever since. The G&L S500 is a very versatile guitar also, and can get a tele tone from the bridge pickup, seven combinations on that ax.